Responsible cooling practice

The government has lately come up with a decision that the thermostat of air conditioners should not be set below 25 degree Celsius this summer. The energy adviser, de facto minister, to the interim government, recently announced that this limit is going to be officially fixed to conserve energy during the hottest season of the year when power demands peak at its highest level. According to his version, those who will not comply with the instruction might face power supply cuts. Though the decision was overdue long ago, it is commendable not only for its assumed contribution to energy conservation, but also for several other benefits.

Air conditioning has become an integral part of modern life, providing comfort in homes, offices, and community spaces, but we, most Bangladesh people, do not follow the standard practice of AC use. We have long been wasting resources, harming the environment and health through setting ACs at the lowest temperature the cooling devices can reach because of our ignorance of its impact on the economy, environment and health. We did not need to invent anything to end this practice; numerous countries have long been practising it. For example, the US Department of Energy recommends setting AC units at 26 degree Celsius when at home and higher when away while the Beijing authorities have made running ACs at temperatures lower than 26 degree Celsius an offence punishable by fines.

Judicious use of ACs has multiple benefits. It saves power and thus money, does less harm to environment and human health, and keeps lower the maintenance cost of the devices. Studies suggest that running an air conditioner at 18°C instead of 26°C can lead to a 20-30 per cent increase in energy consumption. If millions of households and businesses set their ACs to 18°C instead of 26°C, it places an enormous burden on national power grids, increasing the likelihood of power outages. Higher AC temperature also means higher electricity bills. Also, excessive cooling reduces the lifespan of air conditioning systems.

The environmental consequences of excessive air conditioning use are severe, contributing significantly to global warming and resource depletion. Air conditioning units require large amounts of electricity, and this electricity is mostly generated from fossil fuels. The more we lower AC temperatures, the more power we consume, leading to higher carbon dioxide emissions that accelerate climate change.

Lowering the air conditioning temperature too much can pose several health risks. Sudden transitions from high outdoor temperatures to extremely cold indoor environments can trigger respiratory problems while prolonged exposure to cold air can make anyone vulnerable to infections such as cold and flu. Moreover continuous exposure to low indoor temperatures may lower the body's ability to fight infections. Studies have proved that abrupt temperature changes weaken the immune response, making people more vulnerable to illnesses.

Keeping air conditioners at 26°C ensures a balance between comfort and energy efficiency. It reduces electricity consumption while still providing a pleasant indoor environment. The government has taken the right decision. Now it is the responsibility of the citizens to comply with the order. By adopting responsible cooling habits, we can contribute to a healthier planet while maintaining comfort.

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