Why the air conditioner dries the air in the room and how to deal with it

There are two opposing opinions regarding the harm caused by air conditioning to human health. Some say that this is harmful because the air conditioner dehumidifies during operation. Others argue that there is nothing to worry about.

Each of the parties is right in its own way, because there is harm if the device is operated contrary to the manufacturer’s instructions and sanitary standards.

Where does the water go from the air

To find out where the moisture goes and why the air conditioner dries the air, you just need to remember the principle of operation of an evaporative refrigeration machine.

Like any refrigerator, the air conditioner works due to the properties of the working fluid (an easily evaporating liquid or gas) to cool with a sharp expansion. This process takes place in a special evaporative system with a finned radiator, through which the built-in fan drives the air that needs to be cooled.

Water vapor dispersed in the atmosphere tends to condense in the form of water droplets on the cold surface of the radiator — is everyone familiar with the situation of “sweating” windows or cold water pipes? It also happens in our situation, only the built-in pump then throws this condensed water out of the room through the drainage pipe.

For all that, the regularity is observed — the greater the difference between the temperatures of the air and the evaporator, the more water settles in the water sump. For example, in the summer heat, an air conditioner can pump out up to one liter per hour.

Permissible humidity standards and its effect on the human body

According to the current sanitary norms and rules, the permissible percentage of moisture in residential premises ranges from 40% to 60%, and in the middle climatic zone, the natural level fluctuates around the seventy percent mark.

The refrigeration unit, while working in the lung, is able to reduce this percentage to 30, and under certain conditions, to 20. To understand whether this is a lot or a little, remember the Sahara desert. So — the humidity there ranges from 50% to 30%. That is, being in a familiar room, you can create for yourself climatic conditions worse than the sandy regions of the planet.

Air humidity affects:

• The ability of the lungs to take in oxygen.
• The condition of the mucous membranes.
• Elasticity and protective properties of the skin.
• Human performance.
• General health and disease resistance.
• The development of allergic reactions to irritants that were previously associated with water — dust, animal hair, synthetic fibers.

In addition to affecting people, dryness also has a negative effect on things — wood shrinks and warps, paper becomes brittle, books crumble due to glue drying.

How to normalize the level of moisture in the air

Having found out whether the air conditioner dries the air and making sure of the negative impact of this phenomenon, it is necessary to solve the problem of normalizing humidity.

In essence, there is only one method for solving the problem — to bring some water into the atmosphere from outside. And how it will be implemented is a matter of taste for everyone. Offhand, the most common design solutions are:

1. A bowl of water. Due to the natural process of evaporation, the liquid gradually passes from the bowl into the environment. Pluses — no material costs, Cons — no control over the process.
2. A bowl of water with a fan pointing at it. This design has every right to be called a humidifier — you can even change productivity due to air flow.
3. Aquarium. Same bowl, just bigger. Plus — it’s beautiful, and watching the fish calms the psyche. The downside is that it is quite costly and troublesome. All the necessary accessories cost a lot of money, and the fish require constant care. Well, there is no humidity control.
4. Indoor flowers. All plants evaporate moisture from the surface of their leaves, while automatically trying to adjust the climatic conditions of the room to the optimal parameters. Two or three flower pots in the room will help solve the problem, but not completely — the plants are not able to compensate for a large leak. Advantages — beautiful, many specimens do not require special care. Disadvantages — like all living organisms, they are prone to disease and some attention will still have to be paid. It is also possible to be allergic to pollen or sap.
5. Automatic humidifier. There are a great many modifications and the user is only required to choose the optimal configuration. Advantages — adjustability, automation due to sensors does not require intervention in its work. Disadvantages — the price. The more features a device has, the faster its cost increases.

It is best, of course, to use a specialized device that will avoid unnecessary trouble for a busy person. Not everyone will find an extra day for exercises with an aquarium, or fussing with basins full of water.

Tips & Tricks

• If the question arose of choosing a special device, then cold-type humidifiers are best suited for home use. Some of them work even without electricity due to the large evaporation area.
• To avoid cluttering up the room with another tricky box, you should consider buying an air conditioner with a humidity control function and its regulation. The smart device itself will make sure that the atmosphere is favorable for the household.