Inside: How Air Conditioning Affects Indoor Air Quality and Health. Collaborative post.
During the summer months in Australia, a good air conditioning system is a must-have piece of equipment because it provides you with welcome relief on those scorching days when the mercury tops 30+ degrees Celsius.
But apart from maintaining a comfortable indoor climate, air conditioning also has a notable impact on indoor air quality (IAQ) and, therefore, by extension, our health.
In this post, we’ll explore in what ways air conditioning units can affect your indoor air quality, debunk some of the myths associated with them, and also clarify how it works to maintain a healthier environment overall.
The Role of Air Conditioning in Indoor Air Quality
By design, air conditioning systems work to regulate the indoor temperature and humidity levels within your home. However, they also perform a vital role in air circulation and, to some extent, filtration.
A properly maintained air conditioning unit can reduce the concentration of airborne particles such as dust, pollen, and pollutants, which, therefore, contributes to cleaner air.
However, it follows that systems that aren’t well-maintained or used as efficiently as they could be might negatively impact IAQ.
For this reason, it is worth arranging for air conditioning repair services from Alliance or another provider sooner rather than later.
Link Between Air Conditioning and Health
It has been well-documented that indoor air quality has a direct connection to health.
Generally speaking, poor IAQ often stems from factors like mould, dust, allergens, and chemicals that can exacerbate allergies, asthma, and other severe respiratory issues.
Over time, the more exposure one has to an environment with polluted air, the more it can lead to fatigue, headaches, or even long-term health concerns like lung disease.
What Ways Can Air Conditioning Can Impact IAQ?
There are several ways an air conditioning system can impact indoor air quality. Outlined below are some of the main ones:
1. Accumulation of Dust and Allergens
Air conditioning systems, especially older or poorly maintained units, can become a source of dust, pollen, and other allergens.
Although most contact filters are designed to trap some of these particles, they can get clogged over time if they are not cleaned or replaced regularly.
If this happens, allergens are likely to build up and may recirculate in the air, which could negatively affect people who suffer from allergies or asthma.
For this reason, you should make a point of checking and cleaning your AC filters on at least a monthly basis, maybe even every two weeks during the parts of the summer when they are used the most.
If you or a member of your family is particularly sensitive to allergens, you should also consider high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.
2. Growth of Mould and Bacteria
Australia’s humid climate, especially in coastal areas, can lead to a buildup of moisture in AC units, which, unfortunately, creates an ideal environment for mould and bacteria to grow when condensation forms.
If left unchecked, these contaminants can be blown into the air, which could potentially expedite conditions like respiratory infections, skin irritation, and allergic reactions.
To avoid this from happening, it is a good idea to have your system inspected annually by an HVAC professional on an annual basis. They will be able to conduct a proper check that will identify if there are any moisture problems or mould growth.
You might even want to upgrade to a more hi-tech system that offers UV light technology, which kills bacteria and mould spores before they spread.
3. Circulation of Outdoor Pollutants
As many ac systems pull air from outside, it follows that if that air is full of impurities, then they can make their way into your home.
This can be particularly concerning if you live near busy roads, factories, or other sources of pollution.
Additionally, indoor contaminants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – which are chemicals released from paints, furniture, and cleaning products – can also be trapped indoors by the AC.
For this reason, to minimise the impact of outdoor pollutants, try to limit the use of AC on days when the outdoor air quality seems to be poor. You should also open windows during times of low-pollution to let fresh air circulate.
Installing an air purifier that targets VOCs can also be a good way to improve indoor air quality in your residence.
4. Reduced Humidity Levels
Air conditioning removes moisture from the air, which can be beneficial in Australia’s most humid regions, such as Tropical North Queensland, the Northern Territories and the northern parts of Western Australia.
However, if you leave the air conditioning on all day, excessive dehumidification can lead to overly dry air. This, in turn, can cause skin irritation, dry eyes, and respiratory discomfort, particularly for those with existing health issues like asthma.
A good solution is to use a humidifier to maintain a balanced indoor climate of between 30% and 50% humidity. If you do this, you will go a long way towards making the sweltering temperatures seem a lot more bearable.