Does the air conditioner spread viruses (cold, flu) around the house?
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Militari, Uverturii street, 1990 block, family with 3 kids in kindergarten and school. An 18,000 Gree in the living room and a 9,000 Midea in the kids' bedroom, both 4 years old. We get ill one after another all winter and summer. Grandma insists the 'air conditioner spreads viruses'. Does the unit matter for colds or is it a myth?
What is really happening
Finding microorganisms in a study of air conditioners does not show that this particular unit caused an infection or symptoms. The condition of the unit, moisture, ventilation and other indoor sources need to be assessed separately. Cleaning is maintenance, not a medical treatment or a guarantee of sterile air.
- A typical split recirculates room air.
- Ventilation introduces outdoor air through a suitable solution.
- In children, home dampness and mould are associated with more respiratory infections and symptoms, according to recent meta-analyses. [Paediatric Respiratory Reviews, 2023]
- The relative humidity range with the fewest adverse health effects is roughly 40–60%. [Environmental Health Perspectives / PubM, 1986]
- Daikin Romania and INSP recommend setting the unit at 25–27 °C and a maximum 6–10 °C difference from outdoors, for comfort, health and lower consumption. [Daikin România, 2024]
- When a contaminated air conditioner starts, airborne fungal concentration in the room can jump from 40–920 to 5,500–100,000 CFU/m³. [Indoor Air, 2023]
What we do on site
- We sanitise both units, the kids' bedroom first: collection cover, cleaning solution, pressure wash in place, sanitising solution.
- Pans and hoses cleaned – in a home with 3 kids the units run a lot.
- Outdoor units, washed in place.
- We show you the correct settings on both remotes.
- See current rates on the Prices page.
What you can do yourself
- When a child is ill: 10-minute airing 3–4 times a day, unit on low speed, louvre up.
- In winter, on heating: a hygrometer; below 35%, a bowl of water on the radiator or a clean humidifier.
- Filters every two weeks, 'Fan' before shut-off.
- Hand washing does more than any unit.
What NOT to do
- Follow medical advice for symptoms. If the unit is suspected of mould contamination, stop using it and arrange an assessment before restarting.
- Do not buy 'antiviral filters' for a split – no evidence and they choke airflow.
- Do not spray disinfectant into the grille 'when someone is ill'.
Prevention
Plan maintenance according to the appliance manual and what is found during inspection. Keep any medical follow-up separate; cleaning does not guarantee that symptoms will resolve.
When to call us
0764 012 943, Monday–Saturday 08:00–20:00. Militari – usually within 2–3 days.
Maintenance does not replace medical care. CDC: mold and health · EPA: moisture and mould
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Read also
Sources (10)
- www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1526054223000398
- www.osti.gov/biblio/1004161
- academic.oup.com/aje/article/194/12/3492/8249775
- pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3709462/
- www.daikin.ro/ro_ro/daikin-hub/articole-aer-conditionat/aer-conditionat-canicula.html
- www.edupedu.ro/cum-ne-protejam-de-canicula-recomandarile-institutului-national-de-sanatate
- www.radioromania.ro/Actualitate/insp-recomandari-pentru-protectie-in-perioada-de-canicula-
- onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2023/8984619
- www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360132325010303
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK143940/
The information on this page is educational and based on cited sources; it does not replace medical advice. We do not do repairs, installation or refrigerant circuit work.