digital divide network - article database

Depending on where you’ve lived in your life you might not have ever thought much about this concept. You may not have ever lived with and air conditioner and / or without one. Here we will analyze the notion of whether there are advantages and disadvantages of air conditioners. This could potentially open up a whole new thought process for those willing to take the journey.
First we’ll do a little list of potential pros and cons of air conditioners and then we’ll do a brief discussion on each individual idea. These include more than generalized ideas. Many of the concepts you will be reading are foundationally sound in research and medical evidence. Now, let’s get started.

What are the Advantages of Air Conditioners?

There are several reasons you may not think of that would be classified as advantages of having air conditioning. Some of them have to do with the temperature, some with the ability to control the environment, while others on things like noise and sound. Of course, like with most things, the degree of the advantage is directly dependent on the quality of your product i.e. the air conditioner.

• Comfort – You don’t have to worry about being hot and sweaty if the AC is working.

• Humidity control – A humid environment is generally not too comfortable. With an air conditioner pulling the humidity out of the room you are able to enjoy a much more climatically controlled living / working space.

• Bugs – You can keep windows and doors closed to decrease the risk of bugs, mosquitoes, bees, etc. Of course, if you’re missing the opportunity to play with the insects, you can always go camping or something.

• Security – With your windows and doors safely closed and locked you don’t have to worry about intruders coming in as easily. Of course, that’s not an absolute protection guarantee, but it helps not to have to have the windows open.

• Noise – This is kind of a two-fold benefit. The ability to keep you windows closed will prevent outside noises from disturbing your sleep and/or concentration. Also, if you have a newer unit there is relatively no noise from the unit interiorly and your home will be nice and quiet inside.

• Improved efficiency – Human beings get slower and less efficient when the temperatures gets too high. Brain power can get sluggish and lead to decreased productivity. So if you want to keep the computer and the human computer cogs churning, AC is a good thing to have on board to prevent overheating.

• Health – Some people are heat intolerant. Some disease process is also encumber patients so that he may worsen their conditions. Patients with certain heart disease and/or lung diseases could be greatly impacted and harmed by not having air conditioning.

So as you can see there a lot of great options for AC at home and at work. Of course nothing is all peachy, so what are the disadvantages?
What are the Disadvantages of Air Conditioners?
Though it could easily be a point of contention, the disadvantages of air conditioning likely do not outweigh the advantages. Let’s take a look at some commonly perceived disadvantages of air conditioning and you will see what we mean.

Expense – The expense of installing air conditioning and aircon servicing plus the expense of the electric bill can be a deterrent and a disadvantage. The cost of air conditioning installation can range anywhere from a couple hundred dollars too many thousands of dollars depending on type and size of air conditioning unit. The cost to run air conditioning will vary according to multiple variables.

• Outdoor temperature
• size of home
• age of home
• insulation
• thermostat setting
• and many other factors

Heat Intolerance – The continuous physical exposure to low temperatures will lead to physiological changes in the body which will decrease the body’s ability to adjust to high outdoor temperatures. This could lead to heat stroke, headaches, and possibly to increased susceptibility to other illnesses.

Obesity and/or Laziness - Because people become more accustomed to cooler temperatures they are less inclined to want to go outdoors. This can lead to laziness, obesity, and impaired health.
So yes there are both advantages and disadvantages to air conditioning. When you’re weighing the pros and cons you have to decide which carries heavier weight for you.