Question:
Don't forget that air conditioning also helps filter out dirt, pollen,
insects (no window screens in Italy!), noise, etc.
... and are perfect breeding places for mold. Also for some bacteria.
Have you ever heard of Legionnaire's Disease?
Answer:
That problem arises when there is a static water tank, to provide a breeding
ground. Most so-called air conditioning sold in Europe, particularly for the
domestic market, is no more than cooling plant, with no humidity control and
no added water. Modern installations with humidity control use injected
steam both because it requires no static water and because few bacteria can
survive boiling.
This may be a bit misleading, given the context. Legionella
pneumophila, which causes Legionnaire's Disease, is a bacterium, not a
mold. It lives in cooling towers and evaporative condensers; these are
used in large commercial (e.g., the Philadelphia hotel where
Legionella was first isolated) and industrial air conditioners but not
in home units.
Unfortunately, what is more often the case (at least in the US atm),
is that housing is built entirely for the existence of a/c. Tear down
shade bearing trees to put in huge houses. Space them in such a way so
that there is no airflow, use materials that only serve to make the
house *hotter* in the hottest heat rather than taking advantage of
window position, materials, etc.
I can appreciate the argument that a/c makes life more comfortable.
But I would like to see it - like most hugely energy consuming
appliances - used more sparingly.
