5 air conditioner myths busted just in time for summer

Did you know that a bigger AC does not mean better cooling? This and four other common misconceptions about air conditioners corrected, just in time to turn these machines on.

However, despite all the benefits and newer ACs being introduced into the market every year, there are a number of common misconceptions about its functioning. (Pixabay)

Can you imagine being stuck at home without an air conditioner during the lockdown? Air conditioners (ACs) have become a quintessential part of our lives given the fluctuating climatic conditions. And these gadgets have evolved from just being big cooling machines to sleek appliances that are suitable for use throughout the year to maintain comfortable indoor temperature.

However, despite all the benefits and newer ACs being introduced into the market every year, there are a number of common misconceptions about its functioning. There are some facts that consumers are completely unaware of when it comes to the functioning of an AC.

The good people from Voltas are helping us out and here are some myths about AC's debunked:

1. Bigger the air conditioner unit, the better?

The size of the air conditioner does matter. Going by the words of expert technicians, if we buy an AC bigger than the required capacity (measured in tonnage), it will quite likely consume a lot more energy than necessary to maintain standard room temperature. It is a good idea to consider buying ACs with an adjustable inverter that can adjust itself to run on different tonnage as per requirement. This will also help you curtail your electricity bill.

2. Lowering the temperature setting fastens the cooling

Do you only switch on the AC when it's unbearably hot outside? Many of us believe that by setting the thermostat to an extremely low temperature will speed up the cooling process and save energy. However, that's not the case. You should look at ACs with two stage steady cool compressors that cool steadily and help save energy. This also prevents the room from getting too cold in a short period, thus making it uncomfortable.

3. ACs are only for summer? Not anymore

Gone are the days when ACs were used only as cooling devices. Nowadays some ACs can help in maintaining a comfortable temperature indoor, no matter what the outside conditions are. Some ACs come with ambient cooling for summer, intelligent heating for winter and active dehumidifier for the monsoon months. This can help you get multiple benefits from a single device.

4. Use of ACs increases chances of viral infections

This myth has been doing rounds especially during the pandemic where people believed that spending time in an air-conditioned room increases the chances of a viral infection. However, ISHRAE (The Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers) has proven that this is untrue. Reports confirm that using medical-grade air conditioning systems which employ the right filters, also have high-energy ultra-violet light panels with an anti-microbial coating can kill live bacteria and viruses trapped by the filter. In fact, using an AC with UV based technology can help in disinfecting indoor air by killing germs and pathogens like virus and bacteria.

5. Maintenance of ACs isn't important if it is cooling the room effectively

Just like any other consumer appliance, it is important to service the AC regularly to ensure consistent cooling in all weathers. It is best to opt for an annual maintenance contract with the company that helps to lower repair cost and makes it work more smoothly.

From the 1920s since ACs have been introduced for residential use, it has changed the way people conceive indoor cooling/heating during fluctuating mercury levels. According to a particular study by the National Centre of Biotechnology Information (NCBI), excessive heat or cold makes the body spend energy in an attempt to maintain a stable internal temperature. This exhausts the human body and makes you lethargic.

Therefore, ACs come in handy to help reduce fatigue and increase productivity especially while managing work and home at the same time. Hence, consumers must understand the technology and its features for optimal use of the appliance.