When we think of air conditioning (AC), we typically think just about the comfort of cooling air, but aircon in your home can also offer considerable extra benefits, particularly for your health. Obviously, aircon makes for a more comfortable living environment, but it also brings many other, less obvious advantages. Here are just a few reasons why installing a new air conditioning system at home makes sense.
Better air quality
Although most people don’t realize it, unfiltered air contains pollutants and mold spores – both of which can pose considerable risks for allergy sufferers and those with asthma. Air conditioning units filter and circulate air, cleaning it and making it safer in the process. AC also reduces the amount of humidity in the air – again, another trigger for asthma attacks. It can also lower the amount of pollen, mildew and other allergens. Using AC in your home will dramatically improve the quality of the air you breathe, reducing the risks to your loved ones.
A safer, more secure home
Using AC with the windows open considerably reduces its effectiveness, so the majority of people only use AC systems with doors and windows firmly shut. Keeping windows and doors closed increases the overall security of your home, making it harder for potential intruders to break in.
Fewer parasites and insects
AC dramatically reduces the number of parasites and insects in your home by continuously filtering and cleaning the air. Also, you’re far less likely to get insects entering your home with the windows closed. Somewhat surprisingly, AC can even help keep your pets free from fleas and ticks.
Better hydration
We lose much of our body’s water intake through sweating, particularly in hotter temperatures. With the colder environments provided by air conditioning, we are far less likely to sweat, in turn, reducing our susceptibility to dehydration. Water is essential for most body processes, including regulating our temperature, preventing infections, keeping joints lubricated, organ functioning and delivering nutrients to our cells. Using AC lets you control the temperature in your home, in turn helping your body stay more hydrated.
New AC units are more energy efficient
Today’s AC systems are a considerable improvement over older technologies and operate at vastly lower power consumption levels. Lower energy use results in lower utility bills – while still offering improved air quality.
Lower operating noise
Air conditioning has come on leaps and bounds in recent years and modern units run so quietly, you’ll barely even know they’re on. Improvements in fan efficiency, insulators and cooling systems have also drastically reduced the overall operating sound of AC units.
Reduced outdoor noise pollution
As most people use air conditioning with the windows and doors closed, outdoor noise pollution is reduced considerably in comparison to using a fan with windows and doors open. Also, as noted above, modern units are quiet, with most featuring some form of insulation, resulting in near-silent operation.
Aircon can increase the value of your home
With the world heating day by day and global warming now a recognized phenomenon, air conditioning is no longer seen as just a luxury. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the top five hottest years on record have occurred since 2015, while nine of the 10 hottest years occurred since 2005. Indeed, 2019 was the second warmest year ever recorded and this trend shows no sign of slowing. In many warmer climes, aircon is now becoming more a necessity rather than an optional extra and many house purchasers simply won’t consider a home without it. At the very least, fitting aircon to your home will prove a desirable addition for many potential homebuyers, increasing the value of your home.
Fitting aircon needn’t be complicated – or expensive
Using a professional contractor like Kaiser Air Conditioning, you can have new aircon and filtering units set up in a matter of hours, significantly increasing your level of comfort in your home. Also, tumbling price points have made newer systems considerably more cost-effective, meaning you won’t need to break the bank getting units fitted in your home.
A cool environment equals cooler tempers
There is significant scientific evidence that proves as the temperature rises so do our tempers. Hotter temperatures increase the heart rate and result in higher blood pressure. Fitting AC in your home can lead to a more peaceful, calm environment. It’s also particularly beneficial for those who work from home to keep a clear and focused mind.
Improved sleep
Nobody likes trying to sleep in an uncomfortably hot environment where those same conditions caused by overheating (increased heart rate and higher blood pressure) hugely reduce the quality of your sleep. Temperature regulation during sleep is one of the most essential components of good quality, sustained rest. Fitting an AC unit to your home puts you in total control of the heat and humidity and can help you achieve the most comfortable conditions for a good night’s sleep.
Cooler temperatures also help protect furniture
Few things damage furniture as much as heat and humidity. Wood loses moisture in hot dry conditions, making it susceptible to warping and drying, while leather absorbs the moisture in humid air, often resulting in rot. Having AC in your home to regulate temperatures can help prolong the life (and looks) of your furniture.
A better work environment for home workers
With the effects of COVID-19 still prevalent in most countries around the world, many of us have been forced to work from home. There has been considerable research into the effects of heat on the body, with much showing that our brains work much better in cooler environments. Experts agree that, as the body tries to cool itself, our ability to think diminishes. Using aircon in your home can increase your powers of concentration, making it easier to work more effectively.
There are extensive benefits to be gained from fitting aircon to your home – both from a financial and health perspective. As AC technologies improve – and units continue to drop in price – aircon in the modern home is likely to become the norm rather than the exception.
