Maintenance of air conditioners is of vital importance!
Emphasizing the importance of air conditioner maintenance being carried out by expert authorized services both in terms of hygiene and in terms of device performance and long service life, experts say that the filters of air conditioners used in homes must be cleaned monthly by the end user because they are simpler and more accessible. Noting that air conditioners that are regularly maintained and adjusted at the right temperature will not directly cause diseases, Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl stated that "Air conditioners that are not used and maintained properly can cause symptoms such as allergic conditions and colds."
Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl also emphasized that diseases such as fibromyalgia, headache, sinusitis, chronic fatigue, nosebleeds, facial paralysis, allergies and legionnaires' disease also stand out as health problems associated with air conditioning.
Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Vice Dean, Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl evaluated the issue of regular maintenance of air conditioners in terms of occupational health and safety.
Dust and particles accumulate, setting the stage for legionnaires' disease
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl noted that invisible dust and particles in the environment where they work pass through the filters in front of the air conditioner and become resin by sticking to the indoor unit over time because air conditioning devices generally heat/cool over indoor air. Bingöl stated that "When the indoor unit stays in the drainage pan for a long time, it prepares the most suitable environment for the formation of bacteria known as legionnaires' disease. This disease can cause fatal consequences with high fever. This situation can be prevented by regular periodic maintenance, and at the same time, device performance and therefore energy consumption are directly affected."
Maintenance must be done by expert authorized services
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl emphasized the importance of air conditioning maintenance by expert authorized services both in terms of hygiene and in terms of device performance and long service life, and stated that "Otherwise, the efficiency of the devices decreases, the energy consumed by the devices increases, it causes odors. The gas cycle of the air conditioner is affected due to pollution, and breakdown costs increase due to irregular operations due to high pressure. Problems such as a decrease in the service life of the air conditioner are experienced. Blockages in the drainage system cause water leaks. It leads to costly renovations.”
Air conditioners in homes must be cleaned every month
Stating that since the filters of the air conditioners used in homes are simpler and more accessible and must be cleaned monthly by the end user, Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl said that "The general maintenance of the devices must be done by expert authorized services at the beginning of each season. Individual or industrial air conditioners used in workplaces must be made by expert authorized services in every season transition. Of course, the environment of the workplace is also important here. For example, air conditioning maintenance must be evaluated in this direction and maintenance periods must be planned since the air pollution in the office environment and the workshop environment is different. For the frequency of these periods, it is useful to get an opinion from the expert authorized service."
Maintenance of vehicle air conditioners must be done at the entrances of both summer and winter seasons
Stating that the environment where the outdoor units are located must be evaluated as well as the indoor environment, especially the main units of industrial type devices are located outdoors and the maintenance program of these devices must be determined according to the environmental characteristics. Prof. Nuri Bingöl expressed that "Vehicle air conditioners, on the other hand, must be checked and maintained by expert authorized services both at the entrances of the summer and winter seasons and during the general maintenance of the vehicles."
It can also cause chronic fatigue
Stating that "Air conditioners that are not used properly and are not properly maintained can cause symptoms such as allergic conditions and colds," Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl also explained that diseases such as fibromyalgia, headache, sinusitis, chronic fatigue, nosebleeds, facial paralysis, allergies and legionnaires' disease also stand out as health problems associated with air conditioning.
Those that are regularly maintained and adjusted at the right temperature do not cause disease
Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl noted that the pollutants and dusts in the indoor air begin to clog the filters in the indoor unit of the air conditioner over time, which causes the quality of the blown air to decrease, and Bingöl said that "Air conditioners that are regularly maintained and adjusted at the right temperature do not directly cause diseases. Operating air conditioners at a very low temperature or not maintaining them properly can cause muscle disorders that can lead to upper respiratory tract diseases or paralysis on people."
What are the precautions that can be taken to prevent mold and bacteria growth?
Apart from regular periodic maintenance and cleaning works, Asst. Prof. Bingöl emphasized the importance of filter cleaning in homes or workplaces, especially during periods when use increases and intensifies. Bingöl stated that "Moreover, pollution occurs on the surfaces of the evaporator/condenser and drain pan of the air conditioners due to use. It is not easy for the end user to access and intervene in these surfaces. For this reason, it must be cleaned by expert authorized services using special chemical materials and equipment, if necessary, depending on pollution. Especially during seasonal transitions, it is important for them to have all device cleaning done by expert authorized services."
What must be considered to improve air quality?
Stating that air conditioners increase indoor air quality by effectively filtering dust, pollen and other allergens in the air thanks to filtration systems equipped with modern technology, Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl expressed that "This feature provides a great advantage, especially for people with allergies and respiratory diseases. While clean air increases the quality of life, it offers a healthier living space. Moreover, the humidity control feature of air conditioners also contributes positively to air quality."
If the outdoor environment is 34 degrees, the air conditioner you use should be 24 degrees
Drawing attention to the importance of the difference between the space temperature and the outdoor temperature, Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl continued his remarks as follows: "In general, a difference of 10 degrees is important so that the body temperature is not affected suddenly when you go out from the air-conditioned environment to the outdoor environment, for example, if the outdoor environment is 34 degrees, it is recommended to set the air conditioner you use to 24 degrees. A big mistake is often made during the use of air conditioning. Those who use air conditioners think that when they adjust their air conditioners to 18 degrees, which is the minimum cooling degree they see in the device, the device will blow 18 degrees. 18 degrees, which is seen on the remote control and the screen on the air conditioner, means the desired temperature of the environment. If we make a generalization in comfort conditions; Although it is recommended to use set values of 23-25 degrees in summer conditions and 21-23 degrees in winter conditions, these values may vary according to space characteristics, working conditions, air flow rate and humidity in the environment and outdoor weather conditions. In addition, it should not be forgotten that the psychology of temperature is different for each person. With these set values, the operation of the air conditioner will also be beneficial in terms of energy saving. Keep in mind that when lowering the temperature of the air conditioner in summer, each degree increases electricity consumption by 10 percent."
Mixing temperature and humidity
Stating that sometimes temperature and humidity can be confused, Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl said that “No matter how much you lower the temperature, it is not refreshing. If you are just shivering, maybe the real problem may be the humidity in the environment. Instead of lowering the temperature, you can get the comfortable environment you want by drying the air with the dehumidification mode."
It is a pointless practice to get fresh air from outside by opening windows and doors
Noting that it is possible to provide both a comfortable and economical living space, especially with the correct use of new generation air conditioners, Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl said that "It is also important to be careful about energy consumption while providing comfort. Efficiency and energy saving are of great importance both in terms of environmental sustainability and in terms of economy. New generation air conditioners are equipped with highly advanced technologies in terms of energy efficiency and have the ability to provide maximum performance by consuming less energy. Energy efficiency labels on devices show how much energy they consume and help users make more informed choices. Opening windows and doors during the operation of the air conditioner are situations that reduce the efficiency of the air conditioner too much and increase energy consumption abnormally. Air conditioning systems are tools that take a certain amount of air from the outside and combine it with the air inside to technologically adjust the temperature setting and the effective amount of air. An application such as opening windows and doors to get fresh air from outside is meaningless. In such cases, air conditioning systems should be turned off and not operated."
High-efficiency models offer a more economical option in terms of energy saving
Pointing out the importance of choosing a budget-friendly air conditioner model, Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl stated that "In addition to the initial cost of the air conditioner, energy consumption and maintenance costs must also be considered in the long run. High-efficiency models can be expensive; however, they offer users a more economical option in terms of energy savings and longevity. Moreover, air conditioners equipped with smart technology provide a significant advantage in energy saving. Thanks to the weekly and daily usage programs and remote control features with smartphones, alternative opportunities are provided for users to use their air conditioners more efficiently. For example, unnecessary energy consumption can be prevented by operating the air conditioner only when it is needed. In this way, it contributes to both energy saving and extending the life of the device."
Beware of people who offer affordable prices but are not sure what kind of maintenance they do!
Explaining that the brand and service network should be taken into consideration when choosing the air conditioner to be used, Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl concluded his remarks as follows: "It is extremely important to get a fast and effective solution service from companies with a widespread service network and to reach spare parts at affordable costs. For this reason, choosing brands with strong after-sales services facilitates the permanent solution of possible problems quickly and at low cost. It is extremely important that air conditioning maintenance is carried out by authorized services or companies that have completed their legal requirements. In particular, the device should not be entrusted to people who offer a very affordable price and are not sure what kind of maintenance they are doing. Air conditioning maintenance performed by unqualified persons will not provide the necessary benefit and may cause the device to be out of warranty."
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)