Is Aircon Bad for Health?

Air conditioning feels like a lifesaver throughout the summer, when indoor air temperatures can become insufferably warm. But you might have heard that it’s bad for your health. Or maybe you feel a little worse for wear after being in an air-conditioned environment.

So, is aircon bad for your health? Read on as we take a closer look.

How aircon can affect your health

It is true that aircon can affect health in some specific cases. However, all too often, these generalisations are passed around and go unquestioned. That’s why it’s important to understand what’s behind changes in health due to air conditioning and how to mitigate them.

Indoor air pollution

The first point to consider is air quality. With air conditioning keeping the temperature comfortable, most people won’t think to open their windows on a regular basis. This lack of ventilation allows indoor pollutants to build up, which are released by cleaning products, appliances and cooking, for example.

Indoor air pollution has been linked to a wide range of illnesses including asthma, ear infections and even some cancers.

To avoid aircon causing a buildup of indoor pollution, it’s advisable to continue ventilating your space regularly. This can be done using windows and doors on a daily basis or with purpose-built ventilation systems.

Airborne illnesses

Another concern with aircon is that it could potentially recirculate contaminated air around a building. This is an issue in public spaces or workplaces, where one person’s airborne bacteria could be spread to lots of other people over time.

As above, the root cause is a lack of ventilation – not the aircon itself. Continuing to ventilate your space will minimise the risk of airborne illnesses spreading.

Dehydration

Finally, there are some issues relating to how aircon dries out the air inside a space. When cooling your home or workplace, air conditioning also removes humidity from the air. This eliminates the muggy atmosphere that often comes with hot weather. But over time, it might make the air too dry.

If this is the case, you may notice issues such as:

• Dry, itchy skin
• A sore throat
• Irritated eyes

Fortunately, it’s easy to avoid these symptoms by adding moisture to the air. If you’re at home, air-drying clothes indoors is a simple way to increase humidity. Alternatively, humidifiers can have the same effect.

How aircon can improve health

Is aircon bad for health? Not really with a few simple precautions. While we’re on the subject, it’s also worth noting the advantages from a health perspective. Air-conditioning systems can filter out pollen and dust particles to improve air quality in your home or workplace. This can be a big bonus to people who suffer from allergies, as well as those with asthma.

There are also notable benefits due to the reduction in heat during extreme weather. In the US, air conditioning has been found to reduce premature deaths on hot days by 80%. Similarly, studies have shown that extra heat puts unnecessary stress on the heart, which can be avoided by using aircon to reduce the indoor temperature.

Stay comfortable and healthy with COA Services

At COA Services, we install top-quality commercial aircon and air-conditioning for homes across Leeds and Harrogate. Our aircon experts can advise you on maintaining great air quality within your home or workplace. We can also install efficient ventilation systems for commercial sites.

To find out more or arrange a site visit, simply contact us on 01423 408 336 or email [email protected].