Air conditioning provides welcome relief from hot weather and is an obvious solution to prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths, but AC systems can lead to severe health problems if not maintained.
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Some things in this world are meant to be used sparingly, or only on a need-to-use basis. Your home’s air conditioning should fall into that category.
While it is a necessity—and a most welcome one at that—we must be careful not to use it frivolously, as when its need is greatest, you could find yourself without a functional AC because you frittered it away at your luxury at an earlier stage.
Aside from this uneconomical wastage, overuse of air conditioning can also lead to health problems such as respiratory difficulties, dry skin, fatigue, headaches and sick building syndrome.
Occupying an enclosed space with unclean air could result in pollutants being spewed into that space and compromising the health of its occupants.
You may wonder how a finely-tuned AC system could contribute to poor air quality instead of literally providing a breath of fresh air.
For starters, most of the air emitted by indoor AC units is recirculated air, which might shave a small portion of your energy bills but does no favors for the air quality in your home. The problem could also stem from the homeowner’s negligence in not maintaining the AC system properly.
Whether you like it or not, that air filter needs changing after a while, and even if you’re not a DIY buff, this is a straightforward task which will make a notable difference for the better once performed.
Another common issue is the accumulation of mold during winter which then gets blown into your home once the AC is activated.
This might make it seem as if air conditioning does more harm than good, but that’s only true if you use your air conditioning foolishly. A little repair work, alternative measures like opening windows, and restricting use of AC solely to necessity will render it one of the best investments you’ve ever made.
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