Air conditioning has become essential for our homes, especially if we live in a place with extreme weather. However, when the family expands, many parents wonder if it is a good idea to use air conditioning in the baby's room.
The arrival of newborn changes the priorities and the well-being of the child becomes the most important thing. It is common for you to wonder if the air conditioner can harm the health of your children in any way.
In the following article, we are going to explain to you how to choose the best air conditioner for your child’s room and how you should use your air conditioning equipment in the presence of children to avoid having any health-related problems.
According to Ice Blast, a company located in Brisbane, Australia, the air conditioning itself is not harmful, but using it in the wrong way can have serious consequences.
Is air conditioning safe for children?
Air conditioning is completely safe for children as long as you follow the basic rules of installation and maintenance as well as proper operation. Also, keep in mind that the most harmful thing for children is the excessive heat and all the repercussions that come with it.
Air conditioners can be of great benefit for you and your family used in the right way.
What to consider when choosing air conditioning for your child?
To choose the best air conditioning for your child’s room you should consider the noise levels, the air filters, the coverage area, the energy efficiency rating, how easy it is to set up when installing an AC, and the performance.
As a recommendation, portable monoblock air conditioning is not the best one for children as they are not as efficient and tend to be noisy. Also, it does not air conditioning all the area equally. But the split type air con is highly recommended.
Noise levels
Your child’s room should be a quiet place where your child will be able to rest placidly.
For this reason, you should choose the more silent air conditioning equipment. Our recommendation is to look among the wall-mounted split air conditioners as they are the quietest.
Remember that noise levels are expressed in decibels and you have to compare these noise levels among your air conditioner options to know what to expect. In general, the lower the dBA rating, the better.
Air filters
Nowadays, the majority of air conditioners have integrated air filters that can help you clean the air. Of course, air purifiers are not the same as air conditioners but still they can help filter the air from allergens, dust, and other particles. It can be a great feature for the health of your children, especially if they suffer from asthma or respiratory problems.
Depending on the air conditioner you choose you can have a reusable filter, washable filter, or filters that need to be changed regularly. So, this is also something you should take into consideration when buying an air conditioner.
Set up
Depending on the air conditioner you choose, you will have a different way of installation. However, you need to make sure that your child’s room is free when installing the air con system.
Consider the time that it takes for you to be ready. For example, a mini-split system may take a full day of work to get installed while a ducted air conditioner, depending on the area to cover may take much longer.
Other factors to consider will be the size of your windows, the current outlet voltage, and the ventilation options.
Energy efficiency
The importance of having efficient air conditioning in your child’s room relies on the energy consumption that will be much lower and therefore, it will have a less negative impact on the environment.
Also, we know that having children at home is not cheap, so energy-efficient systems can make you save money in the long run.
Investment
How much you want to invest in the air conditioner is up to you and your possibilities. However, we recommend you to invest in good equipment because, in the long run, you won’t have any problem.
Keep in mind that the most permanent options like ducted air conditioning are more expensive than less permanent options like portable or window air conditioning.
Reverse cycle mode
Reverse cycle air conditioners are amazing because you don’t have to buy a heater as well which will make you save money and also, your children will be comfortable in a good temperature all year long.
Warranty
Make sure you choose a product that has at least one year of warranty to cover broken or malfunctioning parts.
Other features that you should consider
Having an air conditioner with wifi is a plus because it will help you control the air-con system even when you are not at home.
Also, you can choose an air conditioner with silent mode which provides a smooth airflow and in this way, it won’t disturb your child’s sleep. Furthermore, having a night mode function is ideal to keep your child asleep overnight as the backlight of the display turns off as well as the sound of the signal.
Finally, you can opt for an air conditioner that has an emergency function, which means that if something happens with the temperature sensor, the air conditioner will still work at a nice temperature for the child’s room.
How to use the air conditioner in a safe way?
Using the air conditioning in a good way will let you make the most out of it while enjoying a comfortable environment at home for you, your family, and especially your children.
First of all, prevent the flow of air from reaching the children or any person directly. In this way, you can avoid small things like colds to more serious consequences like pharyngitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
Also, avoid sudden temperature changes. This means that if you have to go outside with your children, it is recommended to change the temperature of the air conditioning or turn it off a while before arriving home. Try to do the same thing if your children have to be taken from one room to another within the home.
Finally, guarantee the hygiene of air conditioning equipment. Good maintenance and hygiene of these devices help prevent the proliferation of molds, mites, and other microorganisms in the environment, which can lead to respiratory problems.