With Rising Pollution, An AC Should Do More Than Just Cooling

This is sponsored article by Mitsubishi Electric

As air quality across India hits an all-time low, here’s how you can ensure your family stays protected from air pollution and enjoys a comfortable living at the same time.

Mahima Sharma, 39, a senior telecom professional, has four apps on her phone that track air quality in real time. Over the past two years, the long-time resident of Sarita Vihar, South Delhi, has noticed an increase in the number of health problems at home: from allergic reactions affecting her four-year-old to full-blown respiratory disorders in her 66-year-old mother. Like most of her neighbours and fellow citizens, Sharma is more than aware that the alarming rise in pollution across Indian cities is behind these now-common health issues.

In a recent study conducted across 17 cities in India, 93 percent of the respondents said that air pollution has a negative impact on health, while around 85 percent reported feeling unwell with changes in air quality. Symptoms range from eye and throat irritation to skin problems, and difficulty in breathing. The report—commissioned by The Clean Air Collective, a network of more than 80 non-profits, citizen groups and experts on air pollution—also indicates that over 43 percent wear masks while going out as a safeguard against air pollution, while nearly 30 percent said they step out of home only when necessary.

No Shelter Indoors

Being a prisoner in your own home is a terrible way to live. What’s more—it doesn’t really help. Research suggests that indoor pollution can be up to 10 times worse than the air outside—largely due to pollutants that are trapped in smaller spaces and are amplified by household sources such as cooking fumes, incense, paint, humidity-driven mould, dust mites, pet dander, and other irritants. Common pollutants in most Indian homes are likely to include particulate matter, ozone, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead; all of which are harmful to our bodies and over time can become fatal.

It’s clear that Indians can no longer depend only on the government or civic bodies to tackle pollution. It’s time for us to act ourselves to protect our loved ones and safeguard their health. Cutting-edge technology can play a huge role in achieving this goal, and one company that is helping many across the world to breathe easy through constant innovation in improving indoor air quality is the Japanese major Mitsubishi Electric.

Tech For Clean Air

In the evolving space of air conditioning and indoor ventilation, Mitsubishi Electric is widely known for its advanced Lossnay ventilation system, a pioneering technology that filters musty air within the home, along with all odours, dust, bacteria, and particulate residues. The impure air is simultaneously replaced with treated and purified air. Interestingly, the technology also recovers energy from the air being transferred to pre-cool the fresh air being drawn into the house.

This transformative Lossnay technology can also be seen in the brand’s existing line of hi-wall premium air conditioning units, which have in-built platinum nano-filters. Platinum acts as a catalyst for absorbing foul odours, whereas the nanometer-scale mesh filter can sieve out particulate matter at a molecular level. Simply put, Mitsubishi Electric uses nanotechnology not only to provide cooling but also purify and deodorise the air inside a home.

Taking this a step further is Mitsubishi Electric’s newest Mr. Slim inverter series of air conditioning systems: state-of-the-art and equipped with a Dual Barrier Coating on filters; which prevents dust and oil-mist from sticking to the filter, thereby reducing the spread of common indoor pollutants. In addition, the series also features heat exchangers, a line flow fan, and air vents, which increase efficiency and considerably reduce the number of times the filter needs to be cleaned.

More Control Over Indoor Air

In a country where humidity is a major problem and is often the reason why people opt for air conditioners, the latest Mitsubishi Electric Inverter Series is specially designed to fight high humidity too! Humidity makes us feel warmer and turn up the air-conditioner, thereby increasing energy usage. Secondly, humidity and dampness in Indian homes are the top reasons behind growth of mould and mildew, which in turn can drive up respiratory and allergic issues, particularly in young children and senior citizens.

With this requirement in mind, the inverter series comes with the option of an additional pre-filter that can eliminate PM 2.5 particles—a widespread indoor pollutant, prominently sourced from cooking gases, burning of incense and candles, pet fur, and tobacco smoking. The pre-filter itself is infused with catechin, a naturally occurring bioflavonoid found in green tea, which has long been used in ancient medicine for its antiviral and antibacterial properties. These specialized filters help trap common pollutants, as well as neutralize microscopic bacteria and viruses from the air. Catechin-infused filters can last for up to 10 years, and are also easy to maintain, remove, and clean when required. As a bonus, these systems are more energy efficient, thereby contributing to lower power consumption and a reduced carbon footprint.

It goes without saying that clean air should be a basic right. And while we may not be able to guarantee that on our streets, at the least we should have control over the air inside our homes, and ensure a safe, comfortable and healthy life for our loved ones. For Indian households that want an air conditioner as well as a purifier that saves on power costs and is easy to maintain, Mitsubishi Electric’s premium range of air conditioners offer a highly advanced and cutting-edge combination that delivers all on all these fronts.