Is It OK to Sit in Air Conditioning All Day? We Asked a Doctor

While our normal spring and summer plans include rooftop parties, trips to the movies and countless pool days, this year we're largely cooped up inside because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But is it healthy to spend so much time in our own air conditioned house our apartment? 

We reached out to Dr. Purvi Parikh, an allergist with Allergy & Asthma Network, for her take on whether blasting our AC all day could be detrimental to our health. She told us, "It is safe to blast air conditioning as long as you clean the vents and filters frequently as they can collect dust mites, mold and other irritants." 

And to put your mind even further at ease, Dr. Parikh notes that while there were rumblings that germs could be spread via AC, there's no data to show that that's the case with viruses like COVID-19. (Phew.) 

Just because it's safe to keep your AC blasting, you might not want to have it on all the time for other reasons, like jacking up your electric bill. If that's the case, try these solutions for cooling down your space naturally.

1. Close Your Curtains when the Sun Is Shining

You’d be surprised, but the sun increase the temperature in your home by as much as 30 percent. Simply drawing the blinds in the a.m. (especially on windows facing south and west) can actually lower indoor temps by a whopping 20 degrees.

2. Use a Fan...and Ice

It may sound old-school, but setting a bowl of ice cubes in front of a rotating fan can mimic the effect of an air conditioner--and save you oodles on your electric bill.

3. Switch to Cotton Sheets 

Sure, flannel is the softest, but when the AC isn’t cranking, cotton is much more breathable. Even better, it’s more likely to stay cool to the touch, which feels the best on sweltering summer nights.

Stay cool out there, friends.