A comfortable living environment is the most obvious advantage of air conditioning in the home - and as we experience a rise in summer temperatures here in the UK, the cooling capacity of AC systems is the primary reason for their installation.
There are, however, a range of benefits you may not have considered beyond temperature control alone. Benefits that help protect our health and our homes.
If you’re on the fence about whether or not to go ahead with an air conditioning installation, these advantages might just help you make up your mind.
The quality of the air we breathe is incredibly important to our health, particularly for those that suffer from allergies or respiratory conditions. The filtration system of an AC unit works to remove pollutants from the air, vastly improving its quality and limiting the damaging effects of airborne particulates.
Take a hay fever sufferer for example. In the summer months when the pollen count is high, it’s impractical to have windows open - but with an AC system installed they can find relief from the heat, and relief from their symptoms.
High humidity can lead to problems for both your property and the health of its inhabitants. When the water vapour content in the air continually exceeds a certain threshold, it encourages the growth of mould and causes rot. In worst case scenarios, this can lead to costly damages to the fabric of your building, as well as damaging your belongings.
In terms of health, damp and mould caused by high humidity can induce asthma attacks, cause allergic reactions, and introduce harmful bacteria into your home. There are also consequences of low humidity levels, such as skin irritation.
An air conditioning system is the most reliable way to control humidity in the home.
Historically, this was one of the major benefits of air conditioning in the workplace, but with more and more people working from home, it’s now relevant to domestic users too.
A hot, stuffy environment with poor ventilation does little to encourage productivity. It makes it difficult to concentrate, and saps our energy. A constant supply of fresh air from outdoors, however, brings the oxygen we need to stay alert, so an AC system is a valuable addition to any home office space.
It’s not just of benefit to the adults in the household either. Fresh air and comfortable conditions will help the children focus on their homework, or study effectively for their exams.
Throwing open our windows in summer can have its advantages, like the sound of birdsong or the smell of freshly cut grass for example. Not so pleasant is traffic noise, and a constant influx of bugs.
It may seem like a minor inconvenience but it can actually prove a major disruption, particularly if you’re working from home. With an AC system installed, it’s one less issue to contend with.
Good quality sleep is incredibly important to our overall health. It gives the body time to relax and repair itself from the rigours of daily life, and allows our mind to process our experiences.
One of the biggest disturbances to sleep in the summer months of course is heat. Fans may bring some relief, but really all their doing is circulating warm, stale air and creating noise. The same goes for windows. If it’s stuffy outside, having them open is of little use.
An air conditioning system on the other hand works quietly in the background to create comfortable sleeping conditions that help your body get the rest it needs.
We’ve covered a lot of reasons why an AC system is preferable to having windows and doors open, but perhaps the most important of these is security, particularly at night.
With access to your property firmly closed off, you can relax knowing that your family and personal belongings are as safe as they can be.
It’s a benefit that may not have crossed your mind, but given that most modern air conditioners are actually air source heat pumps, it means they’re able to generate heat in the colder months.
Heat pumps are a low carbon alternative to traditional heating systems, as well as being more energy efficient, bringing cost savings and fewer carbon emissions.
If you have any questions at all about the benefits of air conditioning in a domestic property, or want guidance on costs and installation, drop us a line and we’ll be happy to answer your queries. Alternatively, you may find the answer you’re after on our FAQs page.
