Posted by Rifat A. on 5/27/2020 to

There’re a lot of misconceptions and questions about using the air conditioner in the Coronavirus pandemic. In this article, I’ll answer some FAQs about the use of the air conditioner during the Coronavirus pandemic.

4 FAQs about Air Conditioner & Coronavirus

1. Should I Use My Air Conditioner in this Coronavirus Pandemic Situation?

If you’re social distancing or isolating yourself from others, you can use your air conditioner without any fear. But if you’re organizing any party or inviting unknown people to your house then you should be worried about using your air conditioner in your home. You should remember that in this pandemic situation, it’s unethical to host any party or invite someone to your house. However, if you really have to invite someone to your home then you shouldn’t use your air conditioner. Instead, you should open your windows and use ventilation for airflow in your house.

Again, if your home has a central cooling system, it’s better not to use the air conditioner at this time. When your home has the central cooling system, and someone in your building is infected by the Coronavirus, chances of getting infected by the Coronavirus increases as COVID-19 droplets can easily transmit through the air ducts of the air conditioner.

Recently in Wuhan, China, 10 people are believed to be infected by the Coronavirus from the restaurant air conditioner. That’s why it’s recommended that you shouldn’t use the central cooling system at this pandemic time. But if you don’t have a central cooling system in your building, you can use the air conditioner without any fear.

2. What is the Impact of Air Conditioner in Public Place during Coronavirus Pandemic?

Air conditioners in public places like shopping malls, gyms, etc. are always playing a negative role in spreading respiratory diseases. As the Coronavirus is new, and no vaccine has been invented yet, general people and government officials are more concerned about the use of air conditioners in public places.

As public places have bigger crowds, if you use the air conditioner in public places and someone in the crowd is infected by the Coronavirus then the virus will spread like wildfire. Also, air vents in public places will collect more COVID-19 droplets than any other place. Then droplets will transmit through the air ducts of the air conditioner, and a large number of people will be infected.

That’s why government officials and health professionals are forbidding people to go to shopping malls and gyms. If you go to a public place where the air conditioner is used, the chances of getting infected by the Coronavirus will increase drastically.

For your own safety, you should avoid any type of public gathering, and if you really need to go to a public place where the air conditioner is used, you should wear a mask, and wash your hands frequently.

3. Should I Use My Air Conditioner When Someone in My Family is Infected by COVID-19?

If someone in your family is infected by the Coronavirus, you shouldn’t use the air conditioner at all. In most of the US houses, there’s no scope of outside air coming to your house when you turn on your air conditioner. As a result, when someone in your family is infected by the Coronavirus, those COVID-19 droplets will be re-circulating in your home, and eventually, you’ll get infected by the Coronavirus.

That’s why it’s recommended that you should open your windows so that the fresh air can enter your home. When you open the windows, outside fresh air will lower the concentration of COVID-19 droplets in your home, and you’ll be safe from the virus.

4. Can I Lower My Air Conditioner Temperature?

The cold environment is the breeding ground for viruses and bacteria. Many scientists believe that the Coronavirus spreads quickly in a cold environment and loses its effectiveness at warm temperatures. That’s why many health organizations fear that the Coronavirus will infect more people in the upcoming winter.

That’s why it’s recommended that you shouldn’t lower your air conditioner temperature in this pandemic situation. You should keep the air conditioner temperature between 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is believed to be the ideal temperature for air conditioners in this pandemic situation, and if you set this temperature, you’ll be safe from the virus.

See the summary of this content here – Coronavirus & Air Conditioner FAQs [Infographic]

Coronavirus Air Conditioner FAQs