Rafomac
Thinking of switching off your AC while away this summer in the UAE? Experts warn that completely shutting it down can turn your cooling system into a trap for mould and allergens, risking your health the moment you return. Learn why maintaining a set temperature matters more than you think.
Why Off Means More Than Just Saving Energy
It sounds logical: head out of town for a few weeks, switch off the air conditioner to save electricity, and come back to a house that’s cool and ready. But in the stifling heat and humidity of the UAE, this routine might be doing more harm than good.
Dinesh Ramachandran, Technical & SHE Manager at Rentokil Boecker UAE, explains that turning off your AC entirely creates perfect breeding grounds for moisture, dust, and even mould inside your system. Even when off, residual moisture clings to ducts, coils, and drain pans — areas where dust settles and stagnation quietly takes hold. Over weeks of inactivity, bacteria and mould develop without detection. Then, when the AC kicks back on, all of this trapped biological buildup is blasted into your living space.
The Winter Shutdown Aggravates Problems
Amandeep Kaur, CEO of V Fix Maintenance & Technical Services, points out that many residents turn off their AC from October through February, thinking cooler weather makes it unnecessary. But in the UAE’s warm, humid climate, moisture inside the system doesn’t vanish naturally—it simply remains and nurtures bacterial growth. By the time March or April rolls around, switching the AC back on essentially spreads months of microbial build-up into your home’s air.
The Sweet Spot: Keeping It on at 25-26°C
The solution, Ramachandran suggests, is to maintain a consistent air conditioning temperature around 25°C or 26°C even when you’re away. This steady setting prevents humidity from building up inside the system, stopping moisture and mould from thriving. It may seem like a small inconvenience or expense, but the alternative is circulating dust, allergens, and mould spores that could trigger respiratory discomfort.
Air Conditioning: Comfort with a Catch
Few things feel as refreshing as stepping into a cool room after a sweltering day outside, but extended AC exposure masks potential health pitfalls. The term “AC sickness” isn’t caused by air conditioning itself, but by the indoor environment it creates: dry air, compromised ventilation, and neglected filters. These factors can lead to headaches, dry throats, nasal congestion, sneezing, and fatigue.
Dr Mohammed Harris, pulmonologist at Medcare Hospital Sharjah, describes a familiar pattern: “Dry throat, sneezing, blocked noses, headaches, and fatigue often emerge after prolonged AC exposure,” he says. The culprit is often poor indoor air quality amplified by dust, mould, or allergens trapped inside AC systems that aren’t maintained.
Sick Building Syndrome in the UAE’s Air-Conditioned Spaces
Indoor air quality challenges don’t just afflict homes but workplaces and hospitals as well. The so-called “sick building syndrome” involves a cluster of symptoms—headaches, dizziness, dry coughs, skin irritation, and brain fog—that worsen the longer a person stays in sealed, air-conditioned buildings.
A 2023 study from India underscored this: healthy adults working in AC environments suffered more allergies, reduced lung function, and higher absenteeism than those in non-AC settings. The message is clear—constant recirculation of indoor air without proper ventilation and upkeep poses hidden risks.
Dehydration and Irritation: The Dry Sting of AC
Another overlooked effect is indoor dehydration. Air conditioning lowers humidity, which feels cooler but dries out skin, eyes, and respiratory tracts. This dryness can irritate nasal and throat linings, making them sensitive and prone to discomfort.
Dr Razim Abdul Rasheed, ENT specialist at Aster Clinic Qusais, notes how Gulf residents frequently suffer from throat irritation and sinus congestion because of abrupt shifts from intense outdoor heat to cold indoor spaces. “Sudden temperature changes shock the body, often leading to lingering symptoms,” he adds. Ironically, many respond by turning down the thermostat even further, thinking colder air means fresher air—when it often worsens irritation.
Risks for Asthmatics and Allergy Sufferers
For people with asthma, allergic rhinitis, or dust allergies, failing to keep AC systems clean can be a constant trigger. Dust mites, pollen, and mould spores caught in dirty filters worsen wheezing, coughing, sneezing, and nasal congestion.
Ramachandran and Rasheed agree that maintaining filters and ducts is critical. “Patients with respiratory problems are highly sensitive to poor indoor air quality and sudden temperature changes,” Rasheed warns. Clinics across the UAE report spikes in respiratory symptoms during the hottest months, when residents are sealed inside air-conditioned environments.
Dr Beena Thomas, pulmonologist at Aster Clinic Discovery Garden, adds that cold, dry air thickens airway secretions, increasing breathing difficulty for sensitive individuals. Plus, closed indoor settings with poor ventilation create a fertile environment for spreading viruses, even if AC doesn’t directly cause viral illnesses.
The Hidden Gunk Behind Your Vents
What most people don’t see is the dirt accumulating behind AC filters, vents, and ducts. The UAE’s extreme climate forces AC units to run relentlessly during summer—accounting for up to 70% of a building’s energy use during this time. Without proper maintenance, dust and moisture build-up form the perfect storm for mould and bacteria.
Ramachandran stresses that regular upkeep is essential to keep your system—and your indoor air quality—healthy. It’s not just about comfort and energy bills; it’s about preventing a microscopic health hazard lurking inside your cooling system.
