As many developing countries become wealthier, a report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimates that by 2050, 1.6 billion new air conditioners will be installed. . Concerns about this mainly concern the increase in electricity production and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions. What is rarely discussed are the unintended consequences of modern cooling and heating. In an effort to maximize energy efficiency, buildings are designed to be completely isolated from the outside world, with only ventilation ducts to exchange air entering and exiting the buildings. The design of air conditioners creates the perfect environment for the growth of potentially harmful microbes. In sweltering climates, modern air conditioning and efficient building design have made life much more convenient and comfortable, but may also have caused some negative health effects. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The oil crisis of 1973 sparked a movement in building architecture aimed at maximizing energy efficiency. Insulating buildings and sealing every crack to prevent air leaks has become normal. Buildings that did not have sufficient ventilation reported an increase in illnesses reported by their occupants. Volatile organic compounds, coming from ceiling tiles and carpets that would normally have been filtered through windows or adequate ventilation, are thought to be making people sick in what would be called sick building syndrome or sick building syndrome. tight. Other factors contributing to this syndrome included poorly designed and located air vents, which may have sucked in and exposed building occupants to harmful substances like formaldehyde, asbestos and lead paint. Air conditioning units not only cool the air but also act as dehumidifiers. Water droplets are collected on the evaporator coils and then drip into the drain pan. The humid and warm environment of the air conditioner makes it ideal for the growth of bacteria and mold. Some of these microbes can come back into your home with fresh air. Office buildings equipped with air conditioning systems are associated with up to a 200% increase in respiratory illnesses compared to buildings with natural ventilation. Legionnaires' disease is most commonly linked to symptoms associated with the use of air conditioners. It is caused by inhaling water spray containing Legionella bacteria and common symptoms include a dry cough, high fever, headache and shortness of breath. Proper ventilation systems are essential to combating poor indoor air quality problems. Sealing air leaks is important to remain energy efficient, but buildings should be designed with natural ventilation through traditional windows. When the temperature is mild, breaking the window instead of relying on central cooling and heating can help ventilate the building properly. HEPA air filters can be used when central cooling and heating and airflow are not optimal for adequate ventilation. By avoiding the use of harmful building materials rich in volatile organic compounds. Some air conditioning units are built with microbe-resistant coils and.