The Truth about Air Conditioning

When summer hits us, usually the first thing we turn to is the air con. Most of us can’t live without it, but did you know that your air-conditioner is a breeding ground for micro-organisms that live in them and can potentially lead to respiratory problems?

If you have an AC system that is badly maintained whether it’s in your home, office or vehicle it can become potentially harmful. They can contain black mould due to the high amount of moisture that build up from the condensation that the cold air passing through.

Air conditioners can really be a life saver, especially in Queensland as we battle the heat and humidity and there can be no greater feeling than turning it on to cool down after a long day at work or walking into work to have relief from the outside. But unless the AC system is cleaned regularly it can be a source of health issues such as colds, fevers, headaches and fatigue.

In an article the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory says it has been found to worsen asthma problems and allergies and they are two health issues that can stem from contaminated AC units. He also mentions an ominous-sounding phenomenon: sick building syndrome.

Sick building syndrome was associated with a range of seemingly unrelated symptoms: nasal congestion, breathing problems, headaches, fatigue and irritated skin. His own research has linked AC systems in office buildings to many of those same symptoms.

Unfortunately, the issue with having the AC blasting to cool you down is that they are not cleaned as thoroughly as they should be. Containing different kinds of bacteria and fungi if the filters are not cleaned or changed. It’s not 100 percent clean how many people are sensitive to this or how big of a problem it is but there is no question that many micro organisms grow in them and it can have a subtle effect on certain people.

This problem in the AC system is from the cooling of air that creates moisture and condensation which must be channeled away, unlike heating systems. Having a dodgy system that needs maintenance or is damaged puts you at greater risk of health issues.

A quick fix for this is to make sure your AC system is cleaned regularly and that the filter is also changed or washed every couple of months.

Below are 6 affects of being in air conditioning:

1. Feeling stuffy, congested, headachy

2. Loosing moisture in your skin causing dryness

3. Intolerant of hotter climates

4. Burn fewer calories than we would in a natural environment

5. Affect our blood pressure due to our skin constricting to avoid loss of heat

Try turning the temperature up on your air conditioner so that you’re not freezing. Another remedy would be to take frequent breaks to step outside for fresh air and to allow your body temperature to go back to normal. Keep hydrated with lots of water to make sure your skin isn’t irritated, use moisturizer.

Pull your filters out and either change them or wash them.