How to use or adjust the air conditioning correctly and in a way that does not harm us?

Do you want to know how to use air conditioning properly and efficiently - so that it doesn't harm us?
At home, in the workplace or in the car?
When to turn it on or off?
How to set it up?

Air conditioning is designed to make you more comfortable when travelling, at work, but also at home. Hot days, endless nights and sweaty clothes leave us no choice.

We turn on the air conditioning.

We use it especially during hot weather to cool our homes or work environments. Definitely also during car journeys.

In cold weather, it can also be set to heat.

In addition, the air conditioner will provide us with humidity and air quality. Of course, it depends on the type, the equipment and therefore the price. Let's not forget about maintenance. A dirty air conditioner cannot provide us with clean air.

Air conditioning model black and white, blowing air — Changing air properties, adjusting temperature, humidity... Source: Getty Images

Air conditioning modifies the properties of the air:

temperature, cooling and heating
humidity - the air conditioner dehumidifies
cleanliness, various dust filters, odour filters, anti-allergen filters, using plasma and ioniser
also affects air transfer or distribution, airflow

Air conditioning dries out the air, dehumidifies it. Cool and dry air subsequently has a negative effect on our respiratory system.

Dry mucous membranes in the nose cannot properly clean the air of impurities and therefore microbes. Therefore, conditioned air is often the cause of more frequent infections. The direct flow of cold air causes problems throughout the body.

What illnesses and side effects can be caused by using air conditioning:
Air conditioning and its effect on our health

How to use air conditioning properly in the apartment, house, workplace or car? How to set it up so that it is beneficial and does not have a negative effect?

Principles of correct use of air conditioning in the home, workplace, room

There are risk groups of people who should avoid prolonged and especially aggressive use of air conditioning. These include young children, but also the elderly and the elderly. In their case, thermoregulation behaves differently than in adulthood.

Consequently, people with weakened immunity or those recovering from an illness are at higher risk. But so are smokers or alcoholics. So are young children, newborns and babies.

Read also.

In the table below we list the principles of proper air conditioning cooling

Principle	Description
Location	crucial before installation the indoor air conditioning unit should not be positioned so that cool air flows directly onto the person above the sofa or bed it should not be in a room where there are small children not in direct sunlight - both outdoor and indoor units
Power	the power setting should not be at maximum as the cold air flow is strong the airflow should not be perceptible as a draft it is best to select low power
Airflow	Ensure the correct airflow setting the air exhaust from the indoor unit should be to the ceiling then the cold air falls and cools the air by radiation the flow cannot be set directly on the person the direction of the flow is set by the blades an increase in airflow of 0.1 metres per second is perceived as a cooling of 2-3 °C
Time	not suitable for all day use, but for shorter periods of time, up to a maximum of 4 hours Rapid cooling of a room for a short period of time is also not suitable
Temperature	the maximum temperature difference between the outdoor environment and the conditioned room should not be more than 6 °C 32 °C outside and set not lower than 26 °C inside at temperatures well above 35 the difference is adjusted, cooling to a maximum of 28 to 30 degrees at greater temperature differences there is a risk of temperature shock
Ventilation	most equipment does not have an air ventilation function it is necessary to ventilate at least twice a day preferably in the early morning and evening windows should be closed during air conditioning open windows reduce the effect of air conditioning and increase performance and energy consumption the same principle applies to doors, the air-conditioned room should be closed
Air humidity	air conditioning dries out the air if it does not have a humidity increase function the optimum humidity is 40-55% observe the drinking regime ice will help, put ice in a bowl or container of water in the room the sensation of heat is different in dry and humid environments 25 °C and 40% humidity is perceived as a comfortable climate 25 °C and 80% humidity as hot and stuffy
Acclimatisation	beware of sudden temperature differences acclimatise before leaving the room for example in the corridor where the air is warmer before going outside. there is a risk of thermal shock this also applies in the opposite case it helps to drink a lukewarm drink before leaving the air-conditioned area
Maintenance	Regular maintenance at least twice a year before the start of the season and the first start-up after the season but also during operation cleaning and changing filters even every 2 weeks remove trapped dust from filters and equipment removal of coarse dirt and deposits

How to use the air conditioning in the car properly?

Using the air conditioning in the car has similar principles to using it indoors. Otherwise we put ourselves at risk of ill health.

Naturally, it is impossible to be in the car in extreme heat. Too much heat exhausts us and is a risk of accidents on longer journeys.

Air conditioning in the car, air exhaust, flower, pleasant aroma, maintenance — Think about regular maintenance. Source: Getty Images

The following table shows how to set up and use the air conditioning in the car

Principle	Description
Air flow	Make sure that the air conditioning and airflow are set correctly in the car as well. should not be set directly on the body, and certainly not on the face the air dries out the eyes, mucous membranes of the nose and mouth remember to drink slower airflow flow on windows and ceiling
Air temperature	temperature difference of no more than 6 °C at high temperatures no more than 10 °C
Before switching on the air conditioning	open the windows and ventilate the car cabin then switch it on after a few metres and minutes
If not automatic	set the temperature to between red and blue first the internal air circulation then switching to the outside circuit as well
Travel length	should not be used for short journeys air conditioning is suitable for longer journeys alternating temperature differences increase the risk of health problems
Before parking the car	acclimatisation is necessary switch off the air conditioning a few minutes before the journey ends this will help in acclimatisation 5 to 10 minutes is optimal the air conditioning system has time to dry out before the engine is switched off microbial growth is reduced
Maintenance of the system	at least once a year before the start of the season - professionally ozone or ultrasonic optimally twice a year, even by yourself professional filling of the system and replacement of refrigerant filter replacement dirty air conditioning smell smells of dust and irritates the respiratory tract
Opening windows	no longer open the windows while driving ventilation is advisable and necessary on longer journeys

Let's look at all the summer problems together:
Our health in summer - sun, heat, injuries and illness

brunet.ca - 3 rules to enjoy healthy air conditioning
time.com - You Asked: Is My Air Conditioner Killing Me?
globalnews.ca - Top 5 health problems associated with air conditioning

Bc. Lukáš Tóth

Healthcare worker

The secondary medical school in Nitra gave me the basis for my career in the field of health and diseases. Thanks to it, I worked for 2 years in the traumatology clinic and outpatient clinic at the Nitra Hospital. Since 2006 I was employed in the emergency medical service, where I stayed until 2017. I completed my bachelor's degree at the University of Constantine the Philosopher in Nitra in the field of emergency health care. The bachelor's degree allowed me to continue my mission as a paramedic. In the meantime, I got a job at the emergency line 155. I have been working in pre-hospital health care until today. I had an interest in people, health and even diseases in my childhood, which gave me the prerequisite to pursue this topic in adulthood. Studying and acquiring new information in practice provided me with a great basis for writing professional texts, in the form of articles that can be understood by ordinary people. Thus, my interest in the Health Portal has a solid foundation in years of practice and personal interest. Similarly, I am also interested in healthy eating, nutrition and overall healthy lifestyle. I fill my free time with family and sports.

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