Air con could make you cheerful on a sizzling day. However not the whole lot could also be cool together with your air … [+]
Air con generally is a cool factor to have when it will get sizzling outdoors—actually and figuratively. However there might be drawbacks to staying in an air conditioned space too lengthy, particularly if what it’s doing to the air isn’t obvious.
You’ve in all probability skilled the reduction of going from being bathed in warmth and humidity to getting into an air conditioned room. It could really feel like that nice reveal in a rom-com when two individuals understand that they’re meant for one another. Considering, sleeping, transferring round and do seemingly the whole lot generally is a lot simpler whenever you aren’t sweating profusely and feeling like a potato in microwave. Being in decrease temperature environment can scale back the danger of heat-related issues akin to dehydration and stroke. Plus, air con can enhance indoor air high quality by filtering our completely different allergens, pollution, bugs and different organisms. Furthermore, decrease humidity can lower the danger of mildew rising and your stuff getting broken.
Nonetheless, it’s not at all times all rainbows and unicorns with air con. One of many dangers of air con is that it will possibly make the air too dry. Thais can dry out your eyes, pores and skin and doubtlessly airways. Due to this fact, it’s a good suggestion to just remember to keep correctly moisturized and hydrated whereas staying in air conditioned areas for prolonged durations of instances.
One other threat shouldn’t be sufficient air flow when the air is simply re-circulated with out replenishment with new contemporary air. This may result in the build-up of indoor pollution from the assorted home equipment and gear that you’re utilizing. For instance, operating a laser printer can spew toner particles into the air that you could be find yourself inhaling if there isn’t sufficient air flow within the room. Equally, if somebody has introduced infectious pathogens like extreme acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) into the realm, an air conditioned room might not have sufficient air flow to maintain it from hanging on to borrow phrases sung by The Supremes and Kim Wilde.
Due to this fact, keep conscious of how a lot air flow is going on in a room. Verify whether or not the air conditioner is just re-circulating the identical air or offering air flow as properly. See if the air con unit is filtering the air too. If not, take into account putting in or utilizing a machine that has a excessive effectivity particulate air (HEPA) filter than can successfully take away no less than 99.97% of mud, pollen, mildew, micro organism, and any airborne particles which can be as small as 0.3 microns (µm). It additionally might assist to periodically open the home windows to air out the room.
A 3rd potential threat is the air con unit itself. All air conditioners are usually not created equally. They will differ considerably in design, high quality and age. When an air conditioner shouldn’t be stored clear, mildew and different particles can construct up within the machine, turning it into a kind of mist machines you may even see at a music live performance, besides which you can’t see the mist and all of the unhealthy stuff in it. A poorly designed or too outdated air conditioner can spew all types of different pollution into the air. So, keep conscious of what machines could also be doing stuff to your air, repeatedly clear them and exchange them if wanted.
A secure and efficient air con system can prevent numerous grief. (Picture: Getty)
Lastly, whenever you keep in air conditioned rooms all day, you might be lacking all the nice outside has to supply. Except you reside contained in the Caesars Superdome—or no matter sponsor’s identify is connected to it today—in New Orleans, indoor areas might not give you sufficient room to remain as bodily lively. Remaining indoors gained’t provide the advantages of publicity to daylight—sure, the solar shouldn’t be all unhealthy—akin to stimulating Vitamin D manufacturing and regulating your sleep-wake cycle. Then there are all of the psychological well being advantages of being outdoors and uncovered to nature.
So, earlier than it will get too sizzling to deal with, get a deal with on how your indoor areas are being air conditioned. And even when the warmth is on outdoors, attempt to nonetheless discover methods to make it outdoors right here and there so long as you are taking precautions.
