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Air conditioners are easy to use, but using them correctly for efficiency and safety isn't common knowledge.
1. Improper use of an air conditioner is akin to a double-edged sword, so remember these 4 things this hot season.
Air conditioners are easy to use, but using them correctly for efficiency and safety isn't common knowledge.
According to weather forecasts from the Central Meteorological and Hydrological Center, the record-breaking heatwave with temperatures soaring up to 41 degrees Celsius is expected to last until June 5th, increasing the demand for air conditioners to cool off.
Each person has their own way of using an air conditioner, but we might not realize that our habits could turn it into a double-edged sword. Incorrect usage could lead to respiratory issues, skin problems, or soaring electricity bills. Hence, to use an air conditioner effectively, we need to pay attention to the following issues.
1. Consider using an additional fan when running your air conditioner
The fan blades of the indoor unit are quite limited, thus the airflow circulation is poor
Inside the indoor unit of any air conditioner, there's a fan designed to circulate air through the unit. As hot air passes through the indoor unit, it loses heat and cools down. However, due to space constraints, these fans are relatively small and struggle to evenly distribute cool air throughout the room.
Therefore, when using an air conditioner, it's advisable to also use an additional fan to evenly circulate cool air throughout the room. This helps cool the room faster while also saving electricity. Moreover, using an extra fan improves air circulation within the room. The nature of using an air conditioner requires it to be used in a sealed space to prevent cold air from escaping. Having an additional airflow from a fan enhances ventilation, preventing a stuffy feeling.
2. Avoid placing a bowl of water in the room when using the air conditioner
Many people believe that placing a bowl of water in the room while using the air conditioner helps prevent dry skin. However, this practice should be avoided because having a bowl of water in the room increases humidity, creating a favorable environment for mold and bacteria growth.
Avoid placing a bowl of water in the room when using air conditioning
Essentially, when the air conditioner is operating, the humidity in the room remains around 50-55% when set to a temperature of 24-26 degrees Celsius. At this humidity level, our skin won't become excessively dry. Some newer models of air conditioners nowadays have additional features like humidification or ionization for skincare, thus maintaining even higher room humidity.
3. How to safely use air conditioning in homes with children and the elderly?
The elderly and children are two groups with weakened immune systems, so improper use of air conditioning can easily lead to respiratory illnesses such as coughs, sneezes, or sore throats. If your family has children or elderly members, it's advisable to set the temperature between 28-29 degrees Celsius. This temperature range is most suitable for these two groups, and it prevents their bodies from experiencing heat shock when transitioning to environments with higher temperatures.
Use a comfortable breeze mode (with the airflow directed upwards towards the ceiling) when you have children or elderly people at home. Also, be mindful not to let the airflow from the air conditioner blow directly onto their bodies as this can cause colds or breathing difficulties for the little ones. When using air conditioning, set it to the comfortable breeze mode so that the airflow is directed upwards towards the ceiling.
4. Avoid setting the temperature too low
The temperature at the indoor unit drops very low when you set the operating level to 16 degrees Celsius
Air conditioners can adjust the temperature by about 10 degrees. Most air conditioner models nowadays allow you to set the room temperature as low as 16 degrees Celsius. Using the air conditioner below 20 degrees Celsius is not good for our health. Moreover, setting the air conditioner below 20 degrees requires it to run almost continuously, resulting in significant electricity wastage. When using the air conditioner, you should only set it to 24-26 degrees Celsius. This is the most suitable temperature for our bodies, and at this temperature, the air conditioner also saves more electricity and maintains good humidity.
The first heatwave has already reached a peak temperature of 41 degrees, and another peak hot season is forecasted to come again. Let's share these useful tips with our friends to use the air conditioner more effectively this hot season.
