Regardless of the type of air conditioner or the job you perform, in general air conditioning offers a number of benefits. Particularly when considering the severe temperatures that can be experienced in the Okanagan while on the road or out in the field in heavy machinery, there is some true value to having your trucks, sleeper cabins and heavy vehicles air conditioned. So what are some of the benefits?
1. Extreme conditions such as heat and humidity can impact on our overall physical intellectual activity, making even the simplest of tasks an absolute chore. Having a proper air conditioning system in place helps reduce heat and humidity, thus reducing the impact on our ability to perform and complete work tasks.
2. The lower temperatures that air conditioners create can help reduce dehydration as they lessen the likelihood of excessive sweating. However, there is a footnote worth mentioning here, which we will discuss later in this article.
3. When the air conditioning system has been installed properly, it effectively helps renew and improve air quality.
For all the benefits that air conditioning can offer (and there are more than those mentioned above), it’s also important to be aware of some of the possible issues they can create. These issues are all easy to find solutions for, but they’re worth noting nonetheless.
1. First of all, as we noted in the second point of the above section, there is a footnote that comes with the fact that air conditioners can help reduce dehydration in terms of staving off sweating, their design also means that they also cause dehydration.
To keep it basic, air conditioning works by reducing the humidity and heat within an a set environment. The way it does this is by removing moisture from the air and then pushing cooler temperatures through; this known as evaporation cooling. Over time this means the area will have less and less moisture in the air, which can lead to dehydration.
So when you’re driving or working in an air conditioned environment, make sure you continue to drink fluids. If you feel you’re becoming too dehydrated, turn off your air conditioning, keep up the fluids and wait until you start to feel better.
2. Be mindful of the fact that sudden shifts in temperature (from very hot to very cold) can impact on your health. Such shifts can affect respiratory system and can lead to falling sick. The suggested ideal temperature for an air conditioning unit ranges anywhere between 21 to 25 degrees Celsius. Keep it within that range and you’ll find that the shift between temperatures won’t feel as severe. If it starts to get too cold within your vehicle or sleeper cabin, put the temperature up one or two degrees.
3. Another effect long exposure to an air conditioned environment can have is that of tiredness. Particularly when using recycled air, this leads to an increase in CO2 while straight oxygen reduces. To combat this, either change your air conditioner to accept incoming air from outside or occasionally turn off your air conditioning, roll down the windows and let the fresh air wake you back up.
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About One Stop Auto
Proudly serving Armstrong and the North Okanagan since 2005, we offer honest and professional automotive repair and maintenance services on all makes and models.
Owner-Technician, Bernd Klaila is committed to ensuring that One Stop customers receive quality service coupled with integrity and honesty. Bernd has over 25 years experience working on European cars, receiving his training in Germany.