Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences Vice Dean, Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl evaluated the regular maintenance of air conditioners from an occupational health and safety perspective.
Dust and particles accumulate, creating a suitable ground for Legionnaires' disease
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl noted that since air conditioning units usually heat/cool via indoor air, invisible dust and particles in the operating environment pass through the filters in front of the air conditioner and stick to the indoor unit over time, forming a resin. He added, “When it stays in the indoor unit's drainage pan for a long time, it creates the most suitable ground for the formation of the bacteria known as Legionnaires' disease. This disease can lead to fatal outcomes with high fever. Regular periodic maintenance can prevent this situation, and at the same time, device performance and thus energy consumption are directly affected.”
Maintenance should be performed by specialized authorized services
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl emphasized the importance of air conditioner maintenance being performed by specialized authorized services, both for hygienic reasons and for device performance and long service life, saying, “Otherwise; the efficiency of the devices decreases, the energy consumed by the devices increases, bad odors form, the air conditioner's gas cycle is affected due to contamination, breakdown costs increase due to irregular operation caused by high pressure, and problems such as a reduction in the air conditioner's service life occur. Clogs in the drainage system cause water leaks, leading to costly renovations.”
Air conditioners in homes should be cleaned every month
Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl also stated that since the filters of air conditioners used in homes are simpler and more accessible, they should be cleaned monthly by the end-user, adding, “The general maintenance of the devices should be carried out by specialized authorized services at the beginning of each season. Individual or industrial air conditioners used in workplaces should also be maintained by specialized authorized services at each season change. Of course, the workplace environment is also important here. For example, since air pollution in an office environment differs from that in a workshop environment, air conditioner maintenance should be evaluated in this direction, and maintenance periods should be planned accordingly. It is beneficial to get an opinion from a specialized authorized service regarding the frequency of these periods.”
Vehicle air conditioner maintenance should be done at the beginning of both summer and winter seasons
Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl stated that the environment where the outdoor units are located should be evaluated as much as the indoor environment, especially since the main units of industrial type devices are located outdoors, and the maintenance program for these devices should be determined according to environmental characteristics. He added, “As for vehicle air conditioners, their inspection and maintenance should be carried out by specialized authorized services at the beginning of both summer and winter seasons, as well as during general vehicle maintenance.”
Can also cause chronic fatigue
“Air conditioners that are not used properly and are not maintained correctly can cause symptoms such as allergic conditions and common colds,” said Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl, explaining 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.
Regularly maintained and correctly set units do not cause disease
Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl noted that pollutants and dust in the indoor air gradually start to clog the filters in the indoor unit of the air conditioner over time, which leads to a decrease in the quality of the blown air, stating, “Regularly maintained and correctly set air conditioners do not directly cause diseases. Running air conditioners at very low temperatures or not maintaining them properly can lead to health issues in people, especially upper respiratory tract diseases or muscle disorders that can progress to paralysis.”
What measures can be taken to prevent mold and bacteria formation?
In addition to regular periodic maintenance and cleaning, Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl emphasized the importance of filter cleaning in homes or workplaces, especially during periods of increased and intensive use, stating, “Furthermore, dirt accumulates on the surfaces of the air conditioners' evaporator/condenser and drainage pan due to usage. It is not easy for the end-user to access and intervene with these surfaces. Therefore, if necessary due to dirt, cleaning should be done by specialized authorized services using special chemical materials and equipment. It is especially important to have all device cleanings performed by specialized authorized services during seasonal transitions.”
What should be considered to improve air quality?
Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl also stated that air conditioners effectively filter dust, pollen, and other allergens in the air, thereby improving indoor air quality, thanks to their modern technology-equipped filtering systems. He added, “This feature provides a significant advantage, especially for allergy sufferers and individuals with respiratory problems. Clean air enhances quality of life while offering a healthier living space. Additionally, the humidity control feature of air conditioners positively contributes to air quality.”
If the outdoor temperature is 34 degrees, your air conditioner should be set to 24 degrees
Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl also drew attention to the importance of the temperature difference between the indoor space and the outdoor environment, continuing:
“Generally, a 10-degree difference is important to prevent the body temperature from being suddenly affected when you go from an air-conditioned environment to the outside; for example, if the outdoor temperature is 34 degrees, it is recommended to set your air conditioner to 24 degrees. A common mistake is made during air conditioner use. Air conditioner users think that when they set their units to 18 degrees, which is the minimum cooling temperature they see on the device, the unit will blow air at 18 degrees. The 18 degrees seen on the remote and the air conditioner's display actually refers to the desired room temperature. If we make a generalization for comfort conditions; while it is recommended to use set values of 23-25 degrees in summer and 21-23 degrees in winter as ideal room temperatures for people, these values can change according to space characteristics, working conditions, air flow rate and humidity in the environment, and outdoor weather conditions. Also, it should not be forgotten that each person's temperature psychology is different. The operation of the air conditioner with these set values will also provide benefits in terms of energy saving. When lowering the air conditioner's temperature in summer, remember that each degree increases electricity consumption by 10 percent.”
Temperature and humidity are often confused
Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl also stated that sometimes temperature and humidity can be confused, adding, “If you don't feel refreshed no matter how much you lower the temperature, and you're just shivering, perhaps the real problem is the humidity in the environment. Instead of lowering the temperature, you can achieve the desired comfortable environment by drying the air with the dehumidification mode.”
Opening windows and doors to bring in fresh air from outside is a meaningless practice
Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl also noted that with proper use, it is possible to create both a comfortable and economical living space, especially with new generation air conditioners, adding, “While providing comfort, it is also important to be careful about energy consumption. Efficiency and energy saving are of great importance for both environmental sustainability and economic aspects. New generation air conditioners are equipped with highly advanced technologies for energy efficiency and have the ability to provide maximum performance with less energy consumption. Energy efficiency labels on devices show how much energy they consume and help users make more conscious choices. Opening windows and doors while the air conditioner is operating greatly reduces its efficiency and abnormally increases energy consumption. Air conditioning systems are devices that technologically adjust the temperature setting and the effective amount of air by taking a certain amount of air from outside and combining it with the indoor air. An application like opening windows and doors to get fresh air from outside is meaningless. In such situations, air conditioning systems should be turned off and not operated.”
High-efficiency models offer a more economical option in terms of energy saving
Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl also pointed out the importance of choosing a budget-friendly air conditioner model, stating, “In addition to the initial cost of the air conditioner, long-term energy consumption and maintenance costs must also be taken into consideration. High-efficiency models may be a bit more expensive but offer users a more economical option in terms of energy saving and longevity. Furthermore, air conditioners equipped with smart technology provide a significant advantage in energy saving. With weekly and daily usage programs and remote control features via smartphones, users are provided with alternative ways to use their air conditioners more efficiently. For example, by operating the air conditioner only when needed, unnecessary energy consumption can be prevented. This contributes to both energy saving and extending the life of the device.”
Beware of individuals offering low prices but whose maintenance quality is uncertain!
Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl explained that when choosing an air conditioner, the brand and service network must be taken into account, stating, “It is extremely important to receive fast and effective solution services from companies with a widespread service network and to access spare parts at reasonable costs. Therefore, choosing brands with strong after-sales services facilitates a quick, low-cost, and permanent solution to potential problems. It is extremely important to have air conditioner maintenance performed by authorized services or companies that have legally completed their requirements. Devices should especially not be entrusted to individuals who offer very low prices but whose maintenance quality is uncertain. Air conditioner maintenance performed by unauthorized individuals will not provide the necessary benefit and may cause the device to fall outside the scope of warranty.”
