Advertisement / Sponsored Content

This content is paid advertising and has been prepared in collaboration with the advertiser.

This post remains active as a legacy issue and is being phased out from January 2026.

Tasmanian Times no longer accepts requests for paid content or advertorials.

 

 

Can air conditioners make you sick? Many people have woken up through the night with a stuffy nose or sore throat and assumed the AC was the culprit. While there may be some truth to this, the answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think.

Aircons don’t make you sick directly. Something to remember is that temperatures aren’t the direct cause of illness; pathogens are. So, if you have a virus or a bacterial infection, the cold air from the AC may play a part in aggravating symptoms caused by aiding in creating an environment for the pathogen to thrive in. In poorly ventilated buildings with ACs that are clogged or faulty, this can pose a threat to your health and enhance the risk of getting sick.

In this article, we’re going to deal with the question at hand, “Can Air Conditioners make you sick?”

How do air conditioners work?

To answer the question effectively, it would help you to have a basic understanding of how air conditioners work. Simply, ACs draw in air from the room and run it through coils with coolant, which draws the heat out of the air. From there, the cooler air is sent to the compressor, where it is condensed.

The hot air is expelled as waste while the cool air is pumped into the room and circulated. These days, most air conditioners are equipped with filters that clear the air of dust, bacteria, or other harmful substances floating around. The result of doing this is that it releases clearly better quality air from the AC.

There are also several types of air conditioners. For example, ducted air conditioners are used in commercial buildings and have a series of vents that carry air from one or multiple sources to various rooms. Ceiling air conditioners are small, convenient, and easy to install. They also fit perfectly into most aesthetics, so they’re often a go-to for homes and businesses. These are only two of the many examples.

Common misconceptions about ACs

As humans, we love to self-diagnose and assume the causes of health issues without actually understanding the science behind certain circumstances, so we often get it wrong. In this case, there are a few misconceptions about ACs and health that we’d love to clear up:

Misconception #1: Diseases can be spread by air conditioners

Most light commercial air conditioners pull in air from outside, cool it, and pump it inside or vice versa. These modern air conditioners are fitted with filters to ensure that the air they’re pumping is clean. Dust or dirt in the air can clog the AC, so having a filter to stop this is necessary. But these filters catch more than just dirt. They’ll catch bacteria, fungi, mould, and other harmful substances floating around the room.

However, these filters can become clogged over time and need to be cleaned. If not, mould could develop on them, eventually leading to the spores being released by the AC. So, to clear this up, a well-maintained AC would actually provide cleaner air, but a badly maintained one could potentially lead to spreading sickness.

Misconception #2: Using an aircon while you sleep will give you a cold

This is not necessarily true. Remember, the aircon isn’t the main culprit for illness here, but it can be the catalyst for it. In fact, sleeping with an air conditioner that’s set to the right temperature can actually be better for your sleep. As we said, ACs draw in the used and dirty air, allowing it to pass through a filter before undergoing the process of cooling it down. The air you’re getting out is much cleaner. This might help you breathe while sleeping.

They’re also life savers when the humidity is high. Humidity is like the arch enemy of sleep. It makes you sticky, sweaty and extremely uncomfortable. Air conditioners can level out a room’s humidity, giving you the comfort you need to sleep soundly. Lastly, they’re a mosquito deterrent.

Misconception #3: You can get sick from sudden changes in temperature

This misconception has a very similar answer to the previous one. Many believe that sharp, instant changes in temperature can make you sick. While sudden changes in temperature can give your system a shock, they’re not the main culprit. Weather factors do have a part to play when we get ill, but we need to remember that viruses or bacteria are the main cause of illness. Think of it this way. Do you get sick when you jump into a pool on a scorching hot day?

What are the pros and cons of having an AC?

Now that we’ve covered a few basic misconceptions people have, let’s weigh up the pros and cons of getting an AC:

Pros of Using an AC

  • Improves the air quality indoors
  • Give you control over the humidity
  • Creates a comfortable environment
  • Increases productivity and willingness to work
  • Offers better sleep quality
  • Reduces the risk of heat-related illnesses
  • Protects electronic devices from overheating

Cons of Using an AC

  • Some ACs have a high energy consumption
  • The initial installation might be expensive, and there are maintenance costs
  • There’s the potential of developing health issues if the AC isn’t maintained properly
  • Older or cheaper units might be noisy
  • There’s the potential to develop dry skin or dehydration
  • People can build a dependency on constant temperature control

Final Thoughts

So, we now know that ACs don’t make you sick directly, but the temperature you set them to can provoke illness if you have a virus or have picked up bacteria somewhere. Also, we now know that they need to be cleaned regularly to ensure they continue providing us with clean air. We hope that this article has answered some questions for you about air conditioners, and we wish you all the best!

 

Advertisement / Sponsored Content — This content is a paid advertorial published in consideration of payment or other commercial benefit. The views, claims, statements, offers and representations are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, which does not endorse or verify them. This material is provided for general promotional information only and does not constitute legal, financial, medical, investment or other professional advice; readers should make their own enquiries and seek professional advice before acting. Claims, testimonials and performance statements have not been independently verified unless stated. Offers and availability are subject to change and additional terms. This advertorial may contain links to third-party websites and the publisher may receive commissions or other benefits from reader engagement; the publisher is not responsible for third-party content or fulfilment. To the maximum extent permitted by Australian law, the publisher disclaims liability for reliance on this content, and nothing limits rights that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. Where applicable, this advertorial is authorised by the advertiser and does not constitute independent editorial content.