Can your air conditioning unit make you sick?

You might have heard several people complaining about how their air conditioning has made them sick. They claim that due to the cold or unclean air from their AC, they have caught some virus and couldn't get up from their bed. But, up to what extent are these claims valid? Is it correct that your air conditioning system can make you sick? Can it pose any risk to your health? To find out the answer, read the following sections. Here you go!

Is it possible for your AC to make you sick?

An air conditioning unit was designed to ensure the comfort and ease of the user. However, just like any other machine, an AC can prove detrimental to your health in some ways. These include using your system for too long or not ensuring proper maintenance of your unit. So, while a clean and well-maintained AC does not make you sick, overuse and uncleanliness are two factors that can harm your well-being.

Bacteria and contaminants:

If you haven't cleaned your air conditioning system for far too long, it increases the chances of bacteria growth. There is a slight possibility that the contaminants will collect in the inside unit, which can cause a health problem. The bacteria can build up in the water or refrigerant storage or even gather in the unit's filters.

In large commercial systems, this issue happens more frequently. This is because the large units use the wet system that keeps a pool of water in reserve. In warm temperatures, the water can be a ground for the growth of illness-causing bacteria. The key to prevent this from happening is regular servicing.

Maintaining too low temperatures:

Although there is little evidence to support this, some people have reported getting sick because of maintaining too low temperatures. It is so because the virus responsible for causing cold or flu live longer in dry and freezing environments. Besides, symptoms like dry skin, fatigue, and headache also appear in people who have been in such an environment for too long. Experts suggest that it results from being in an extremely cold artificial atmosphere for an extended period. So, if you have set your temperatures below 18-degrees for too long, it can have a negative impact on health.

How to avoid falling sick because of air conditioners?

To prevent yourself from falling sick, here are some measures that you should take:

You should ensure the annual maintenance and service of your AC. It would help if you cleaned the filters and refrigerant that are two areas in which bacteria can build up. You should remember that simply investing in the AC won't suffice. Instead, you will also have to keep up with the yearly servicing to make sure that your AC circulates clean air.

The other way to avoid falling sick is not to set the VRF network temperature too low. We recommend not setting the AC below 18-degrees for a prolonged period of time.

Thus, these are a few steps that you should follow to stay fit to prevent falling sick because of your AC.