The hottest weather of 2018 may have passed, but people across the UK are still at risk of a phenomenon known as the indoor heatwave.
Air conditioning servicing and maintenance is a year-round necessity, as quality air and comfortable temperatures help keep the occupants of a building fresh, healthy and motivated.
But the latest research from Harvard University’s TH Chan School of Public Health has highlighted the impact a lack of effective air conditioning can have, even when high outdoor temperatures have subsided.
The authors said the effects of extreme heat on vulnerable people, such as the very young or the elderly, are well documented, but with temperatures rising and people typically spending 90% of their time indoors, it is more important than ever to understand how heat affects the wider population.
Faster and more accurate
Young and healthy students living in dorms with air conditioning were given daily cognition tests, as were students in similar dorms without air conditioning. Those with air conditioning were noticeably faster and more accurate in their responses.
The study took place before, during and after a heatwave and the most significant difference was seen later, when outdoor temperatures subsided but the dorms without air conditioning still experienced high temperatures.
Joseph Allen, one of the senior authors of the study, said there is often a “false impression” that the hazards created by a heatwave have passed once outdoor temperatures drop.
"In regions of the world with predominantly cold climates, buildings were designed to retain heat," he added. "These buildings have a hard time shedding heat during hotter summer days created by the changing climate, giving rise to indoor heatwaves."
The team measured five indicators of productivity, including reaction times and working memory, with the group without air conditioning performing worse in each area. The results emphasise the need for effective air conditioning servicing, as a consistent environment is key to maintaining health and productivity in a changing climate.
