Cambridge, MA — “Back in my day, we didn’t have air conditioning.” That’s the kind of thing our parents or grandparents often told us when we complained about it being too hot and having no air conditioning to use to cool off.
We were encouraged to open windows and use fans. Air conditioning was a luxury and privilege to have.
Now, experts are now saying that air conditioning units that recirculate the same air throughout a room should be used with cracked windows, or even not at all.
In an interview with The Telegraph Dr. Shaun Fitzgerald, a fellow from the Royal Academy of Engineering explained that there are two types of air conditioning units.
One air conditioning unit draws air in from the outside and then pushes it back out again.
The second unit, known as a “split” unit draws the air in, passes it through cooling coils, and then recirculates the air throughout the room.
Dr. Fitzgerald explained, “The recommended strategy now if you have one of these split units, is to throw the window open and sacrifice your desire for a cold or cooler environment.”
“If there is a modicum of wind it will move the air around,” he said.
Experts became increasingly concerned about the spread of the virus through the use of air conditioning units after 10 people from 3 different families who had eaten at the same air-conditioned restaurant were affected by COVID-19.
A Harvard University professor, Dr. Edward Nardell explained that hot temperatures drive people inside. In buildings with poor ventilation, the virus gets pushed around for hours and can linger longer.
Back in June, Dr. Nardell argued that air disinfection methods were overlooked in terms of preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Over 200 scientists have drafted an open letter to the World Health Organization that encourages the WHO to recognize that there is a possibility of airborne transmission.
It seems that maybe we can learn something from our parents and grandparents.
Turning off your air conditioning units and opening those windows for some fresh air might do you some good.
To contact Elizabeth, please reach out through The Liberty Loft website. Be sure to subscribe to The Liberty Loft’s daily newsletter. If you enjoy our content, please consider donating to support The Liberty Loft so we can continue to deliver great content.
