“Isn’t the answer obvious for AC’s during summers ?” is what most of you must be thinking since air conditioners(ACs) provide much-needed relief from the sweltering heat of the summer. Apart from the coolness, they also control the levels of dust and pollutants and facilitate better sleep. But along with the benefits, the experts also talk about the flip side. A side that almost all of us are probably unaware of and that is the health hazards.
Therefore while ACs seem to be go-to appliances in summer, they can only be beneficial if they are used correctly. If not they can lead to multiple side-effects and health issues.
The side-effects of AC overuse
- ACs reduce the amount of humidity in the atmosphere and this causes the moisture in the eyes to evaporate. The result is dry and itchy eyes. For people who are already suffering from dry eyes or other eye problems this can pose a significant problem.
- The eyes are not the only organs that are affected. The AC air can cause dryness in the throat, skin, and even the sinuses. Having headaches is also a sign of dehydration. Moreover, the sudden temperature difference between the cool indoor environment and the hot outdoor environment can cause blood vessels in the head to constrict and expand rapidly, leading to headaches.
- Staying for a long time in cold temperatures can lower the metabolic rate and slow down the body’s natural processes. Therefore it can make a person lethargic and give them a drained-out feeling. Additionally being in the AC for long means no fresh air which can also lead to fatigue and drowsiness.
- If the filter is not cleaned regularly the bacteria, mold, and dust can keep circulating within the room and can affect the respiratory system due to infections, asthma, and various allergies. People with existing asthma experience severe respiratory distress.
- The continuous humming sound of the AC may just be a deterrent for sleep say experts. The sound can disrupt sleep patterns and may cause annoyance during the night.
Tips to use the AC correctly at home
- The most important thing when it comes to using ACs in summer is to choose the right one for your home. Buy the one based on the size of your home or room where it is going to be installed. If the unit is too small for the area then it won’t provide the necessary cooling and will consume more power and if it is too big then it will consume more electricity than required and over-cool the room.
- Another mistake everyone makes is setting the AC at very low temperatures. This creates a major temperature difference between your body and the external temperature. The health hazard it poses is something that we have discussed earlier in the blog. Hence the golden rule is to set the AC temperature around 12 degrees below the external temperature.
- While most of us tend to switch the AC unit on and off as per use, experts say no. According to them to avoid the stark temperature differences that the human body has to deal with, it is better to maintain the AC running throughout the day at a a normal temperature of 27 to 29 degrees. This helps keep a constant temperature in the surrounding area and also saves power consumption.
- Here is the most surprising revelation. For avoiding falling sick it is recommended to not use the AC throughout the night and instead put it on sleep mode. During the sleep mode, the AC increases the level of the temperature to the desired one based on the indoor temperature and then turns off. This way it keeps the room cool for a peaceful and comfortable sleep.
- Ensure to keep the house well-ventilated when the temperature is not very high during the day to keep the air quality good and minimize the negative impact of the air conditioning.
- ACs tend to dehydrate the body hence it is advisable to drink plenty of fluids especially if a person is sitting in an air-conditioned environment for a prolonged period.
- The AC should be serviced and cleaned regularly to avoid the build-up of dust, allergens, volatile chemicals, and bacteria that will keep circulating in the room.
So while ACs may appear to be life savers in the summer, the right way to use them not only helps increase the comfort level, it saves a lot of money and most importantly it prevents multiple health complications. The key here is to be mindful by maintaining optimal temperatures, staying hydrated, and getting the AC serviced regularly.
