Which AC system is best for Bronchiectasis & MAC?

For years now I have been very much concerned with how we heat and cool most of our homes. Central units with ductwork, filters and the unit itself to make it all work. Reality is there are so many different heating and air conditioning systems and units that have been used through the years that could be the cause of illnesses and infections .

Things can happen regarding central systems. Years ago I came down with Legionella and Mycoplasma Pneumonias with both at the same time. I finally figured out the possible reasons …. a dirty central heating system filter caused by a contractors negligence and then a water based heating system where I worked …a long story but the important thing is that I obviously survived.

Glad to have read the post that coffcoff posted. I will be calling my reliable AC/HAVC system service person and discussing what coffcoff posted to know what we can do and what company is the most reliable to use to clean the many feet of the central system ductwork. I have put off having the ductwork cleaned for fear the tech’s would accidently undo a joint connection and not inform me…all ductwork is in the attic. I’ll just have to have my AC/HAVC service person come back afterwards and have him check all.

Also, for me, and as I understand it is somewhat common, I found out I was sleeping with my mouth open after a while of falling off to sleep. I would wake up with dry mouth. I still find myself doing that via dry mouth in the mornings but don’t know how to control it or correct it. I believe, however I may be wrong, sleeping with one’s mouth open would dry you out all the way down to the air ways and could possibly cause bacteria from the heating system into one’s own system. Possibly??? I have wondered about that for some time as ONE of the possible reasons of why my MAI. I hope to discuss this with my BE pulmonologist on my next visit.

All posts on this thread are great and sure brings up much to think about for all of us.
Barbara

Many thanks to everyone for these super helpful comments! So much to think about! I was able to connect with my HVAC guy, and he said he would recommend the Reme Halo UV light and a media air cleaner. (I've attached the pdf on the UV light in case anyone is interested. He quoted me a price of $850 for the light.) He also said the filter is very easy to change, and I could indeed do it myself, but he highly recommends I stay on a service contract to make sure everything is well maintained. I trust him very much. I recently had him install a Navien all-in-one on-demand tankless hot water heater and furnace, and it's given me such peace of mind to know that the water is not sitting in a big tank possibly collecting bacteria. I never did learn how to flush the water heater tank and it's weighed heavily on my mind since my diagnosis.

Sometimes it feels like there is a never-ending list of items to learn about and process! I'm super grateful to everyone on this forum for so generously sharing their questions, thoughts and guidance. I'm a firmer believer in the "collective intelligence" - we are all much smarter together than any one of us is alone.

May 2025 be a year in which we all experience an abundance of joy and peace even as we struggle with our ongoing health concerns.

Kind regards,
Jill

I read this in December but just now asking.
Do you know what UV light, the brand and model, (might be in the paperwork...pamphlet/brochure that came with the unit) that your AC technician placed in your system? Of course the model he used for your system might depend upon the size of your AC/HVAC but it would be a good starting off point for me. I am interested in it and want to address it with my AC technician.
Yes MAC is everywhere. All we can do is the best that we can do with the tools we have (and can afford) and use good common sense about doing the things we know to do to keep ourselves as well as possible with BE/MAC.
Thanks for your post about your helpful AC technician.
Barbara

Thank you for mentioning the tankless water heater. I have seen the guidance about setting the temperature to 130 or above, does this also apply to the tankless since the water doesn’t ‘sit’ and have a lot of opportunity to form a biofilm?

Barbara, sorry it took me so long to reply. On the receipt for the AC service it just says "install UV air purifier", no info on brand or model. I think you should just discuss it with your AC tech, since your system is different than mine. I wish I had more info for you. Good luck!

Yes I plan, planned, to discuss with my heating/air technician. He probably has one in his home knowing how both he and his wife pay attention to things such as this.
Thanks.
Barbara

@blm1007blm1007 I also chronically sleep with my mouth open, which also drives me crazy, so interested in anything your learn in this regard.

A timely conversation as we just recently had a conversation with our hvac contractor about adding air conditioning to our hvac system. Historically it has not been necessary in our area but with climate change our summers are getting hotter and hotter and HOTTER. Our hvac contractor suggested we add an air scrubber to our hvac system. Apparently his wife has lung issues and they use one. Wondering if anyone has any knowledge and/or experience with air scrubbers?

Mouth-taping with 3M micropore tape to avoid dry mouth in morning! Read Jim Nestor's book, Breath. You'll be amazed! I simply cannot sleep without my mouth taped. [Yes, all my doctors look at me weirdly, except my dentist!]

Glad you responded to that part of my post.
I wonder how many others who have been diagnosed with BE did/do sleep with their mouth open.
For some reason I have not been waking up with the terrible dry mouth I was having a little over a year ago. I have to assume I still sleep with my mouth open...at this time there is no one in the house to observe me sleeping. Have to have a sleep over and have them come into the bedroom to tell me if I still do. Ha! I did not know I was sleeping that way until I was told that I was.
Possibly the therapy we do for BE has helped, possibly since I am now putting moisture into the house (boiling lots of water for the various reasons related to BE) and keeping the house temperature low so not to have the heating system dry the house out, has helped. Don't know.
My Mother began sleeping that way late in life, she had emphysema.
I have given thought to this, this last year and a half, and wonder if sleeping and breathing through the mouth can not only cause dry mouth but also dryness in the lungs or if the breathing that way makes one more susceptible to infection??? Don' know, but my belief is that most things in life are caused by more than just one thing.
I haven't found anything on line on how to stop the breathing through the mouth at night other than posts suggesting taping the mouth closed. I did try that for a while before being diagnosed with BE. They suggest micropore tape placed in the center of the mouth area between the upper lip and lower lip. Not a perfect solution but less breathing in of air etc. Since I no longer wake up with the terrible dry mouth and since I have to clear my throat of mucus build up at night when I wake up to visit the bathroom, I don't do that anymore.
And so, that's my story with mouth breathing at night. Glad we all can share our experiences.
Barbara