Summertime Air-Conditioning: Is it a Health Risk?

You guessed it – the second most common complaint is “it’s too hot.” Let’s face it. Rarely do people agree on what temperature is comfortable, and this presents a problem – especially in the summertime when air-conditioners may be at full-throttle. And the problem isn’t confined to the office. You never know what temperature to expect when you walk into almost any building.

“Yes, it’s true that many people like to keep the interior temperature really cold, particularly those with high body fat or elevated blood pressure. But cranked-up air-conditioners can spell disaster for people with low body fat or low blood pressure when they venture indoors while dressed lightly for the outside heat,” says Renee Grant-Williams, expert voice coach to some of the recording industry’s biggest stars. “Rapid changes in body temperature seem to make many people susceptible to lingering summer colds, sinus problems and other respiratory ailments that can be difficult to shake. These ailments not only rob you of your voice, they make you feel downright miserable.”

Grant-Williams suggests that if it is not possible to avoid sudden temperature changes to at least anticipate frigid summertime air-conditioning – and be prepared to adapt.

“If you can easily adapt by layering your clothing, then you might avoid some of these nasty colds” she says. “Carry a light sweater, jacket or vest with you when you go out to a restaurant, theatre or other air-conditioned building – as odd as that might seem in June, July or August. Then if it feels like a meat locker inside the building, at least you can slip on the extra layer, be comfortable and maybe avoid coming down with a cold.”

Grant-Williams suggests that people who set air-conditioner thermostats think twice before turning the dial down too low. “Comfort is one thing, but ask yourself, how cold does it have to be to be comfortable? And is excessive air-conditioning really worth all the added risks? Maybe it doesn’t have to be quite so cold indoors.”

In addition to providing health benefits, Grant-Williams says keeping the AC at a reasonable temperature makes good economic sense especially with energy prices at an all-time high. It’s good for the environment too.

“Gazillions of chlorofluorocarbons – the waste by-product of air-conditioning – have contributed to blowing a dangerous hole in the ozone layer that may never be reversed in our lifetimes,” Grant-Williams says. “This means we and our children will pay for our present comfort by facing increased skin cancer and suppressed immune systems in the future.”

“It may not be practical do without air-conditioning entirely, but we can be sensible in how we use it. By keeping air-conditioners at reasonable settings, we can save money, help the environment, and avoid those summertime colds that seem to hang on forever.”

Grant-Williams coaches aspiring performers as well as celebrities including Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Tim McGraw, Christina Aguilera, Linda Ronstadt, Randy Travis, and Huey Lewis. She has been quoted by Cosmopolitan, TV Guide, Business Week, Southern Living, the Associated Press, UPI, the Chicago Tribune, the Boston Globe, and the San Francisco Chronicle. She has appeared on many broadcast outlets including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, Bravo, USA, MTV, GAC, BBC, PBS, and NPR. Grant-Williams is a former instructor at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music as well as the former director of the Division of Vocal Music at the University of California, Berkeley.