In many Brazilian cities, summer and air conditioning are synonymous. There is no way to work smoothly without it being turned on. However, for the air quality to be satisfactory, it is necessary to be careful with the air conditioning.
If the equipment is under the responsibility of the company or the condominium administration, it doesn’t matter. There are maintenance rules to be followed, which include periodic filter change and constant cleaning. In this article, we’ll show you how to take care of your air conditioner so that you don’t end up suffering from respiratory problems.
Attention to cleaning the filters
The first hygiene item to be observed is cleaning the filters. Air conditioners with dirty filters are not only less efficient, they can also carry dust, mites and microorganisms into workers’ airways – resulting in health problems that can even lead to absence from work.
Follow the air conditioning filter manufacturer’s directions . In general, cleaning every 15 to 20 days and replacing at least once a season is recommended. Newer models have separate units for the filters, so they’re easier to detach and clean in a few minutes.
Also clean the outside of the device
It’s not just the filters that need to be cleaned regularly. The path where the air travels inside the device must also be clean. Debris and dust tend to accumulate more in the air conditioner during the winter, and however clean filters are, dirty air vents help to spread these allergens into the environment.
Also keep in mind that a clean and unobstructed air conditioner consumes less energy. Therefore, when cleaning the filters, be sure to also wipe the air vents with a damp cloth so that no residue builds up.
Keep the device at the ideal temperature
Not too hot and not too cold. According to the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) the ideal air conditioning temperature is between 23 and 26 degrees in summer and between 20 and 23 in winter . However, the perception of ideal temperature varies from person to person and according to the type of clothing being used.
Remember that both very low and very high temperatures are harmful to health. The practice of turning on the air conditioner in a very cold temperature so that the environment gets colder faster does not work. Air conditioning is designed to soften the internal temperature in relation to the external environment. Going out of 35 degrees and entering a room with 17 degrees is unhealthy.
Turn off the air conditioning at night
Unlike what happens during the day, the night air is cooler and more pleasant and, for this reason, it is better to turn off the air conditioning and open a window to take advantage of the natural ventilation. It is better to use insect repellents to keep them at bay than to live 24 hours under air conditioning.
Another recommendation is to turn off the air conditioning when you go to sleep. This is also true for companies: the device must be turned off at the end of the day. If at home the air conditioning turned off provides a more peaceful sleep, at the office it will directly impact the reduction of the energy bill and the extension of the product’s useful life.
Also use air humidifiers
The side effect of air conditioners is that they make the air drier. This can be a problem for people with respiratory problems such as rhinitis. The solution is to have an air humidifier as a complement. Air humidifiers are portable and affordable and help to keep the environment more pleasant.
Anyone who has respiratory problems or does not feel well in stuffy environments or with low humidity should always have a 0.9% saline solution nearby. It is suitable for nebulization, reducing the impact that places with low humidity have on the body.
