Health Considerations for Aircon Use

Last Updated on 28/11/2020

If you live in an especially hot region, you probably use your air conditioner almost all day and even sleep in an air-conditioned room at night. Air conditioning keeps the ambient temperature of your living space and a comfortable low and this is great for relaxing.

But, you may be wondering about the health implications of such extended aircon use. If you are one of those people who has become very comfortable with your air conditioner use, there are some important things you should know about how this can affect your health.

In the following article, we will take a closer look at some of the dangers and benefits of using your air conditioner. This will allow you to take a healthy approach to indoor comfort and avoid any health problems associated with living in air-conditioned environments.

Let’s begin with the risks…

Health risks of Sleeping in an Air Conditioned Room

1. Body Temperatures Can Drop

The first reason to be cautious with your AC use is that the temperatures in your room can drop too low for your body to stay warm. It is a well-known fact that the body’s internal temperatures drop when sleeping. If the AC is also dropping the temperatures of the room it is quite possible to become chilled. This can make you more susceptible to catching a common cold as the immune system is slowed when the temperatures drop.

Avoid this by keeping a closer eye on the AC temperatures. Do not set the temperature setting too low, the best settings for a comfortable sleep are listed further in the article so make sure you read the full post. Make sure you are not going to bed with wet hair or wet clothes either. Keeping your bed away from the direct path of the cool air is another good way to avoid becoming chilled at night.

2. Dehydration

That is correct, sleeping in a cold environment means the air will be stripped of its moisture content and this can cause the skin to dehydrate rapidly. In addition to dry skin, the cool air can cause the mouth, lungs, throat and eyes to dry out as well. This can lead to chafing lips, irritated respiratory systems and sore eyes.

Avoid this by drinking plenty of water during the day. You can also apply moisturizing creams and balms to the skin and lips before going to bed. Furthermore, keep the body out of the path of the cool air. These simple tips will reduce the dehydration factor of sleeping in a cold room.

3. Impaired Hormonal Functions

When you are sleeping the body is hard at work creating hormones and many studies have shown that lower temperatures can decrease the body’s capacity to synthesize these hormones. This is an important reason to stay warm when sleeping.

The hormones that are produced when sleeping work to improve the immune system. If the temperatures in your room have dropped too far, your immune system will suffer. This can lead you to feel drained and sick when you wake up.

This can be avoided by keeping the room temperature at a comfortable setting but not too cold. It is also super important to eat a healthy diet that keeps your immune system strong. Most importantly, keep your air conditioner free from dust, dirt, moulds and any pollutants or pathogens that can cause sickness.

The Right Temperature Settings and Air Conditioner Maintenance Keeps you Healthy

The best way to avoid health problems that can arise from using an air conditioner is to consider the optimal settings such as sleep mode. Furthermore, the proper AC use will also benefit your health in a number of ways. Here is what you need to know:

Getting It Right

According to the experts at the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), the perfect temperature settings are between 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit (15°C – 20°C). For a comfortable and healthy night’s sleep, try not to allow the temperature to drop any lower than this. You should also keep your body covered with a suitable blanket that will shield your body from draughts and chills.

Regular Cleaning and Maintenance

In addition to keeping the temperature settings at a suitable setting, the conditions of your air-con can benefit or detract from your health in a number of ways. You can avoid many problems by keeping your air conditioner well maintained. Some of this maintenance can be done DIY, such as keeping the front grille and vents clean and dusted regularly.

But you will also need to call in the experts with proper cleaning techniques to address the insides of the AC unit as well. Due to the potential for moisture to collect inside the air conditioner, moulds, mildews and other pathogens can take up residence and spread disease in your home.

The Right Benefits

Your well-maintained air conditioner will not only keep you healthy it will reduce energy expenses as well. Here are three health benefits you will enjoy from sleeping in a cool room with an air conditioner in tip-top conditions.

1. Reverses the Aging Process

There are plenty of considerable benefits to sleeping in the right temperatures cooled by an air conditioner. One of these is the proper production of melatonin. Melatonin is a sleep time hormone produced by the body and this allows the body to rest well and also fights many of the symptoms of aging. For example, it can help to reduce the occurrence of premature wrinkles.

2. Contributes to weight loss

You will want to begin with proper exercise and a balanced diet based on nutritional food choices. But, your efforts to attain an ideal weight will be greatly enhanced with plenty of rest. Your efforts toward weight loss will be thwarted if you are not getting the proper rest and sleep you need each night. This is especially true for those looking to build muscle mass.

3. Helps your mood

In addition to improving your sleep habits and reversing the ageing process, getting a comfortable night’s rest does wonder for your mood. If you are suffering in a room that is too cold or too hot, you will not rest well. This can make you cranky and grouchy in the morning. But, proper sleep habits will allow you to focus better and stay positive during the rest of your day.