You can get sick from an air conditioner if it's not cleaned regularly. Air conditioning units, if left unattended, can become a breeding ground for mold, bacteria, and other harmful pathogens.
When your air conditioner is on, any mold, mildew, bacteria, and other allergens in the home get airborne. You can end up breathing this airborne matter in, and since the air conditioner can also dry out the air, it can irritate your nose and throat as well.
If you work in an air-conditioned building with poor ventilation, it can raise your risk of “sick building syndrome.” Symptoms include headaches, dry cough, dizziness and nausea, trouble concentrating, fatigue, and sensitivity to odors.
[12] The symptoms usually disappear hours or in some cases days after removal from that environment.
Cold air can dehydrate your nostrils, throat, and other parts of your body that fight off infections, increasing your risk of an illness. However, cold weather alone cannot make you sick. If you have viruses or particulates in the air, your AC may circulate them, and you can breathe them in.
It is advisable to use a humidifier alongside your home conditioner if you experience any air conditioning sickness symptoms. Also, drink a lot of water during the day to reduce this effect.
Leakage from a damaged air conditioner can harm the environment and release toxic fumes that can make you and your family sick.
Dry eyes, lethargy, dehydration, dry or itchy skin, headaches, respiratory issues, allergies and asthma, noise pollution, infectious diseases, and indoor pollutants are among the common health concerns associated with prolonged exposure to air conditioning.
Exposure to AC will affect respiratory health
Sleeping in a room with the AC on can lead to respiratory problems, particularly for individuals who are sensitive to cold air or have existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or allergies.
Generally, a well-maintained air conditioning unit won't make you sick. However, your AC can potentially increase your chance of getting sick if it circulates cold-causing viruses. If mould, bacteria, or other microbes grow in your unit, you may experience several irritating symptoms.
Legionella bacteria can proliferate in air conditioning systems, particularly in cooling towers. Inhalation of contaminated aerosols can lead to Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia. Symptoms include high fever, cough, and muscle aches. In extreme cases, it can be fatal.
Without regular maintenance, the furnace can sustain damage that leads to carbon monoxide escaping and poisoning you and your family. In short: running your air conditioner can't give you carbon monoxide poisoning on its own. The risk comes from a gas-powered HVAC unit in need of repair.
Can an air conditioner cause a sore throat? Yes, it can. Air conditioners remove humidity from the air, which can leave your throat feeling dry and sore, especially first thing in the morning. The AC isn't the only factor, of course, but fixing some common problems can resolve your sore throat woes.
Fatigue or Feeling Sick May Relate to the AC
When you feel sick and have regular headaches, it may relate to your air conditioner. The cold temperatures may cause fatigue, headaches, dizziness or other symptoms of a cold or flu. A simple solution for this problem is turning up the temperature.
Cooler temperatures at night can cause our immune system to slow down. This can make you more susceptible to conditions like common cold or a dry cough. Or else, you might wake up with a sore throat. If the AC unit is not clean, it will circulate germs and other airborne contaminants like dust mites, pet dander, etc.
Air conditioning units will absorb the heat in your room and simultaneously blow out cold air. They're the best way to cool a room down quickly. But while higher temperatures can make sleeping a struggle, experts warn against keeping the AC on at night.
Too much AC use can lead to loss of moisture from skin, hair, nose and throat. It can basically dry out the mucus membranes which then in turn lose their ability to protect you from harmful bacteria and viruses.
Here are some pointers to strike the perfect balance: Recommended range: Aim for a thermostat setting between 24°C (75°F) and 26°C (78°F). Each degree lower can increase energy consumption by 8%.
The bacterium Legionella pneumophila is responsible for most cases of Legionnaires' disease. Outdoors, legionella bacteria survive in soil and water, but rarely cause infections. However, legionella bacteria can multiply in water systems made by humans, such as air conditioners.
If your AC is blowing out warm air, or is just not cooling properly it is a surefire sign that you are in need of maintenance. You may need your air filters replaced, a refill on refrigerant or it could be time to have the AC coils cleaned by a professional.
Cold – Cranking the AC reduces indoor humidity levels, leaving your eyes, nose, and throat dried out and itchy. Dry air may negatively impact your immune system.
Chronic freon poisoning consists of long-term exposure and typically affects HVAC technicians. A leaky air conditioner or refrigerator can cause acute freon poisoning. According to WebMD, the symptoms of acute freon poisoning include: Sore throat and swelling in sinuses.
They can make your family sick:
Your family may suffer upper respiratory infections if they experience coughing, headaches, sneezing, nasal congestion, sore throats, runny noses, and low fevers due to dirty air-conditioning filters.
Every year in the US, about 50,000 people visit the emergency room due to accidental CO poisoning, and nearly 500 people die. Rest assured that you can't get carbon monoxide poisoning from running the AC. Having said that, several other sources of this dangerous gas may exist in your home.