According to experts, sleeping with the air conditioning on is bad for you, not because it is harmful but because you can't control the device while you're asleep. When the air conditioning remains on at night, the temperature of the room could fall substantially below the recommended threshold.
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.
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.
People who live in air-conditioned surroundings report greater rates of respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing and shortness of breath, according to a study published in the Journal of Environmental Health Research. The results of the study were ascribed to greater exposure to pollutants and allergens indoors.
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.
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.
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.
In more severe cases, avoidance may not be enough. Then, treatment may include corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medication to reduce inflammation and prevent your immune system from reacting to the allergens you inhale.
One of the risks of air conditioning is that it can make the air too dry. This can dry out your eyes, skin and potentially airways. Therefore, it is a good idea to make sure that you stay properly moisturized and hydrated while staying in air conditioned areas for extended periods of times.
Cold air inflames lungs and inhibits circulation, increasing the risk of respiratory conditions, such as asthma attacks or symptoms, worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and infection.
Energy Costs and Environmental Impact: A fan is better if you're on a tight budget or value energy conservation and environmental sustainability. Noise Sensitivity: Go for a fan if you're a light sleeper or noise-sensitive. A fan's soft, consistent whirr is more soothing than an AC's intermittent noises.
The best AC temp for sleeping varies depending on the individual, but most experts agree on a range between 60-67 degrees Fahrenheit (15-19 degrees Celsius). This is because your body temperature naturally declines as you sleep — so a cooler room could help facilitate this drop and encourage better sleep.
Sleeping with the AC on can also cause some physical issues, including dehydration. Having the AC on all night can dry out your nose, mouth, throat, and skin, since the unit not only cools down the air but also dehumidifies it.
The best room temperature for sleep is approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius). This may vary by a few degrees from person to person, but most doctors recommend keeping the thermostat set between 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 20 degrees Celsius) for the most comfortable sleep.
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%.
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.
Consume Herbal and Healthy Drinks that registered by BPOM: Some herbs and healthy drinks like green tea, herbal tea, honey, and ginger have been associated with lung cleansing benefits. They can help loosen mucus, relieve cough, and reduce inflammation in the lungs.
Over time, this acute condition may turn into long-lasting (chronic) lung disease. Symptoms of acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis may occur 4 - 6 hours after leaving the area and include: chills, cough, fever, malaise, or shortness of breath.
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.
It may increase the risk of respiratory infections, as cold air can weaken the body's immune response and make individuals more susceptible to viral and bacterial infections.
The potential consequences are different for everyone and also depend on the duration of exposure to an environment that is too cold, on the indoor air quality and the temperature reached. The most common symptoms include muscle and joint pain, poor sleep, dehydration and in more severe cases even cramp.
Unless systems are cleaned regularly, air conditioners can be a source of health issues. Air contamination can become a severe problem that contributes to respiratory ailments in people. Additionally, air conditioning at work and home can lead to problems, such as colds, fevers, headaches and fatigue.
Legionnaires' disease, the pneumonic form, has an incubation period of 2 to 10 days (but up to 16 days has been recorded in some outbreaks). Initially, symptoms are fever, loss of appetite, headache, malaise and lethargy. Some patients may also have muscle pain, diarrhoea and confusion.
Air conditioners offer cool relief in summer and keep us warm in winter, but when mould starts to grow in them, they turn from a godsend into a nightmare (and a hazard). Without regular cleaning and maintenance checks, your air conditioning unit could end up blowing mould spores throughout your home and property.