Living without ACs is a nightmare for many. Adding to the woes, is the relation between the spread of COVID-19 and home air conditioners. MUSBA HASHMI speaks with DR JASMEET KAUR WADHWA about the possible threat and whether it is a wise decision to use them

The scorching summer months are here and so is the anxiety and stress factor. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a chaos in everybody’s life with queries pouring in whether is it a good idea to sit and relax in home ACs without having to worry about the spread of the virus. Some say that the risk of infection increases in ACs while others say that it is the centrally air conditioned spaces that pose a threat and not home ACs.

Dr Jasmeet Kaur Wadhwa, Senior Consultant Paediatric Pulmonology & TB division, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute says that home ACs don’t pose any threat of infections where proper precautions are being taken by people. 

“As summers have approached much concern has been raised regarding home ACs in the context of coronavirus pandemic, but home window or split ACs confined in a room do not pose any threat at home where required precautions are being taken and family members are infection free. But if any family member is suffering from respiratory disease or having a mild infection then try to refrain from using AC. Because the droplets left by the infected person can get recycled in the common duct of the AC and can infect others as well,” she tells you.

However, the challenge, she says, lies with the centrally air conditioned spaces. “The bigger challenge is with central ACs, which are placed in big offices, hospitals and essential food outlets, which are now supposed to be used with precautions. Since, COVID-19 is a droplet infection, it remains in the environment for a shorter time then get settled on the surfaces, hence it is more about coming in contact with an infected person then getting exposed to the recycled AC air which contains virus,” Wadhwa explains.

Studies are yet to confirm whether there is a significant effect of temperature on this virus but World Health Organisation  and Indian Council of Medical Research have also stated that Coronavirus has no direct relation with temperature.

This means there is nothing to worry about much using ACs at home. Following precautions will keep you risk free. “Keep your AC filter clean, do not use ACs continuously for several hours. Practically, there is no threat in cleaning duct still do it with precaution. If any member in the family is suffering from upper respiratory disease or carrying mild infection, then don’t use AC for cooling, rather use exhaust fans for clear air. Keep windows open for fresh air and cross ventilation. Try not to be in a closed room with AC switched on for  a long time, more so when a family member is facing any type of respiratory issues,” she advises.

Breathe in fresh air as much as possible to eliminate the slightest risk of infection, she adds.

Abhijeet Shakya, an engineer who is into the business of AC servicing and repairing says that when it comes to home ACs there are no risks involved because they cater to a limited number of people. But what makes centrally air conditioned spaces a threat is the large number of people who may carry the virus. “Recently, the Government issued an  advisory for offices, hospitals and malls to avoid using ACs till the coronavirus pandemic. Since they are public spaces, the risk of infection increases. The AC vents increases the risk of virus spreading to the whole of the building,” he says.

Having said that, experts also suggest that the recommended temperature of the air conditioned rooms shouldn’t be less than 24 degrees Celsius. This will further help eliminate any risks involved.

However, to be on the safe side many people are restraining themselves from using ACs for the next 15 days atleast. “I usually spend most of the time in AC. Be it in office or at home, AC was a must. But amid the coronavirus threat, till date I haven’t switched on my AC yet. May be after 10 days or so, once there is a confirmation on the same, I will think about using them,” says Kiran Singh, a resident of Noida who is feeling the AC heat at the moment.