Many can’t imagine life without air conditioning during the hot summer months. But what if the very thing that’s keeping you cool is also making you sick?
This question is not a new one. In fact, people have been questioning air conditioned air quality since it became popular in the United States, in the years following World War II.
For many people, air conditioning is not just a luxury — it’s actually life saving, as it helps mitigate the effects of chronic ailments such as allergies, asthma, and bronchitis by filtering out pollen, pollutants, and other irritants from the air.
Many forget that air conditioning isn’t just a cooling system; rather, air conditions literally condition the air, acting as a means of filtration. Not only do air conditioners remove pollutants from the air, but they also act as dehumidifiers, removing excess moisture as well.
Regardless of what the primary benefit of AC is, the Weather Channel stresses that it’s important to keep your air conditioning system up to date and well maintained.
An unclean air conditioner filter can, in fact, be detrimental to the air quality within your home. When you neglect to change the filter, bacteria and pollutants that have been caught and built up in the coils continue to circulate in the air. Uncleaned air conditioners can host a plethora of nasty bacteria, as well, including black mold.
Even if you had air conditioning installation performed recently, it can never hurt to check the filters and replace them if necessary.
During the months when people stay indoors more frequently, experts at the Weather Channel recommend that you take frequent outdoor breaks, to provide your lungs fresh air.