To A/C or not to A/C

Hello, EcoDesi here.

As I write this I’m outside enjoying the warm summer that we’re having which is a nice change from the chilly summer we had last year.   I suspect the warm temperatures might have something to do with global warming (note to self: read up on this) but I have to admit I’m enjoying and loving every minute of it. 

I’ve encountered a few people who like the cold months more than the warm ones, but they were few and far between and none of them were South Asians.  We, South Asians, don’t usually go out and sun bathe (we obviously don’t need to get any more chocolatier) but we still get out and enjoy the balmy temperatures.  Just take a stroll down Gerard street on a warm summer night and you’ll see the bhutas being grilled on the sidewalk, you’ll smell the charcoal and tandoori chicken in the air, you’ll hear the chatter of people strolling down the street with all their kids in tow and the music from the latest  Bollywood hit blasting from the shops.  Everywhere you look the patios will be full of people eating and talking and soaking in the warmth. 

Which brings me to my topic of the day.  Air Conditioner usage.  Why is it that as soon as summer  comes people, on the one hand, try to get out every chance they get, and on the other hand crank up their air conditioners when they are at home or in the office?  Whenever I wear my capris and short-sleeve tops, I have to put on a cardigan as soon as I step into the office so that I don’t catch a cold.  It’s ridiculous.  What’s wrong with feeling a little warm people?

I personally prefer to be warm then cold so we only turned on our AC a handful of times this summer, most of the time we used pedestal fans.  And when we did turn on the AC I kept the temperature mostly at 25-27 degrees Celsius (based on www.GreenYour.com the ideal temperature at which most of us feel comfortable is 25.5 degrees Celsius) and we turned it off whenever there was no one in the home. 

To be honest I’m double minded about AC’s.  I personally feel claustrophobic when the house is all sealed up and the AC is running.  But I would not get rid of it completely because even though I love warm temperatures I can’t sleep when I’m hot and though pedestal fans work great, AC’s are better at combating the humidity factor when the day or night is hot and muggy.   You know it would be great if AC’s worked on solar power.  That way if it was hot outside we could cool our houses/offices down and not have to feel guilty about it (note to self: look into this as well.).

So what is the official word on Air Conditioners by the Environmental experts?  Well, other than the obvious energy consumption issue, the refrigerant used in the coils of the air conditioners that transfer heat from the house is also a primary concern.  According to Toolbase.org the gas used as a refrigerant can escape into the atmosphere through a leak or during service and since these gases can have negative environmental results ranging from ozone depletion and green house gas affect the earth loses yet again.  So how do we prevent this from happening?  Well get the air conditioner checked regularly to make sure it’s not leaking and if you are looking to replace your unit get one that uses less energy (use the number on the EnerGuide label to guide you) and that does not use CFC or HCFC refrigerants.

Anyway until next time.  Take care people.

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