Think twice before you buy an AC for your home

The summer is at its peak, and you just can’t spend a day without air conditioning. It is no more a luxury and has become a necessity with the rising temperature. While it is comforting to sleep in an air-conditioned room, there are many health risks associated with spending the night in a chilled room. Also, most of the offices nowadays are air conditioned, and people who are exposed to air conditioning 24/7 are even more vulnerable to the health problems:

1. Causes dry, itchy skin: Continuous exposure to lower temperatures, dries your skin and causes itching. It is best to keep your skin moisturized to prevent itching and flaky skin.

2. Increases your risk of catching a cold: With lower temperatures your nasal passages and mucous membranes dry out. As a result of which your chances of catching a cold and other respiratory infections also increases.

3. Makes you susceptible to other diseases: Air conditioners are a hiding place of many micro-organisms. When you run your air conditioner, you close all the windows and doors that lead to poor air circulation inside your room. Most of the dust and allergens inside are trapped and recirculated making you more prone to allergies. Conditions like asthma and bronchitis may aggravate if you spend too much time in an air conditioned room.

4. Can lead to heat intolerance: If you spend too much time in an air conditioned room, there are more chances of you developing intolerance towards heat. Heat intolerance can lead to dizziness, fatigue and also increases your chances of suffering heat strokes.

Considering these health risks, it is best to avoid air conditioning. To beat the heat, keep your windows open and let some fresh air inside. If you must have air conditioning, here are a few things you need to do to prevent any health risks.

• Clean the filters and vents of your air conditioners regularly. This prevents contaminants from recirculating inside the house.
• Get a service contract for maintenance.
• Clean the area –in a balcony or patio –where the water drips from a wall AC.