If symptoms like sore throat, fatigue, or dry cough last more than three days after prolonged exposure to cool indoor systems, it’s time to reassess your home’s ventilation setup. In a city where summer can hit 30°C and systems run nearly non-stop, it’s not rare for people to mistake minor discomfort for something seasonal–until it doesn’t pass.
Most people I’ve spoken to tend to feel “off” for about two to five days after staying in overly cooled rooms, especially when filters haven’t been cleaned. For others, it drags on. That lingering pressure in the sinuses or an itchy throat that returns every afternoon–it’s probably not coincidence. Something as simple as forgetting to clean the vents or setting the thermostat too low at night can stretch these symptoms much longer than expected. A week, sometimes more.
In newer condos or commercial spaces, the problem often ties back to sealed environments. No fresh airflow. If the unit’s recirculating stale air, especially when the humidity’s low, your body reacts. Mine does. I notice it mostly in the mornings–dry eyes, stuffy head, nothing dramatic, just annoying enough to affect focus.
But here’s the tricky part: not everyone links the dots. You think it’s allergies, maybe a cold. You wait it out. And if you’re not adjusting how the system runs, those symptoms keep cycling back. That’s what makes this more than a passing irritation–it’s something you can control, but only if you’re aware of what’s really causing it.
How Long Symptoms of Air Conditioning Sickness Typically Last in Calgary’s Climate
Expect most mild reactions linked to cooled indoor systems to ease within three to five days, as long as exposure is reduced and airflow is improved. If it lingers beyond that–say, seven or eight days–you’re likely dealing with more than just dry air or a slight temperature shift. In drier regions like southern Alberta, indoor setups run longer, especially from June through August. That can stretch mild discomfort into something more persistent.
Here’s what I’ve noticed, both personally and from client feedback:
- Day 1–3: Initial irritation–dry throat, maybe sinus pressure–often shows up fast if filters are dusty or vents are poorly placed. A night or two with low humidity can be enough.
- Day 4–6: Symptoms hang around if the system is pushing air directly toward beds or desks. That steady exposure keeps your body reacting.
- Beyond a week: If nothing’s changed–no filter swap, no humidity fix–then things may escalate into something like a low-grade infection or a nagging respiratory issue. Not dramatic, but tiring.
Now, timing also shifts depending on habits. Someone running the unit at 18°C overnight with closed windows? They’ll feel it sooner than someone keeping temps around 22°C and using a humidifier. And if it’s a commercial space, with central systems and little individual control, people often don’t even realize what’s causing the constant scratchy throat or stuffy nose. I’ve seen that a lot in offices downtown–cool air vents aimed right at your head, running all day.
If symptoms get worse or don’t ease by day five or six, open some windows during the cooler morning hours, bump the thermostat up slightly, and add a bit of moisture to the air. Small shifts. That’s usually enough to notice a difference by the next day–or at least keep things from getting worse.
Factors in Calgary Homes and Workplaces That Prolong AC-Related Illness
Dirty filters and sealed windows are two of the most common reasons symptoms don’t go away quickly. In both residential and commercial spaces, that combination traps dry, recycled flow inside, often without any fresh circulation. In older buildings especially, vents can be blocked or angled poorly, sending cold bursts straight toward beds or workstations. That kind of exposure, day after day, keeps people in a cycle of discomfort.
Poor Humidity Control
Calgary’s naturally dry climate doesn’t help. Once mechanical cooling kicks in, indoor moisture levels often drop below 30%, and that’s where issues like sore throats, sinus irritation, or dry eyes start to hang around longer than they should. I’ve tried running a humidifier set at 40% overnight–noticeable difference by morning. Without one, you’re basically drying out your sinuses for 8 hours straight.
Overcooling and Static Settings
Another problem: units set too cold for too long. Many people don’t adjust their thermostats once summer hits. It’s common to see indoor temps locked at 18 or 19°C, even overnight. But that constant exposure slows recovery from any inflammation caused by low temps. If your body’s already reacting, pushing colder air into your lungs isn’t going to help it bounce back.
In offices, it’s trickier. Central units run on preset timers, and individual control is limited. If someone sits right beneath a ceiling vent, they’re often stuck. I know one receptionist who started using a space heater–yes, a heater in July–just to feel normal at her desk. It sounds dramatic, but if the system’s blasting nonstop and the windows don’t open? She didn’t have many other options.
If these kinds of setups aren’t adjusted, even mild reactions can drag out for weeks. Not always severe, but enough to cause fatigue, headaches, or that constant dry mouth that just never quite goes away. Fixing it isn’t complicated, but it does take a bit of attention–filters, airflow direction, humidity, and realistic temp settings. Most people don’t think to check all of those until they’re already feeling off.
When to Seek Medical Help for Persistent Air Conditioning Sickness in Calgary
See a doctor if throat irritation, coughing, or sinus pressure continues for more than 7–10 days, especially if symptoms are worsening or interfering with sleep and daily routines. That kind of timeline usually points to something beyond a basic reaction to cooled indoor air–possibly an infection triggered by prolonged exposure to dry, recirculated airflow or airborne irritants from unclean systems.
Red Flags That Shouldn’t Be Ignored
- Fever over 38°C lasting more than 48 hours, with no clear source (like a cold or flu).
- Shortness of breath or wheezing, particularly if it wasn’t present before spending time in cooled spaces.
- Sharp chest discomfort when breathing deeply, especially if combined with fatigue and tightness.
- Ongoing fatigue or lightheadedness not explained by lack of sleep or other known causes.
In my case, it was a recurring cough that got worse every time the unit kicked in. I thought it might be allergies, but antihistamines didn’t do much. Turned out the filters hadn’t been changed in over a year. And while that helped once fixed, the cough lingered for another two weeks. My doctor said that’s not unusual when inflammation has built up over time–your body stays on alert, even after the trigger’s removed.
Don’t Wait Too Long
It’s easy to brush this off as something temporary. People think it’s just the dry climate or maybe pollen. But if the symptoms follow a pattern–only flaring up in cooled environments, then easing slightly when outdoors–that’s a clue worth listening to. If you’re second-guessing whether to book an appointment, that’s probably the right moment to do it.
And don’t forget the basics: track when symptoms started, how long they’ve lasted, and whether anything has helped. That gives your doctor a better picture–and helps rule out whether it’s just dry air or something more serious, like a low-level respiratory issue that needs treatment.
Contact “Calgary Air Heating and Cooling Ltd” For More Information:
Address
95 Beaconsfield Rise NW, Calgary, AB T3K 1X3
Phone
+1 403 720-0003
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Open 24 hours 7 days a week