A guide to safe air conditioning

Additionally, some ACs are prone to overheating if left running for prolonged periods due to the excessive strain on electrical components.
Likewise, power surges or low voltage can cause electrical malfunctions and result in a faulty unit.

Air conditioners (ACs) are seen as a luxury item in Bangladesh, with the prevalence of such cooling technology seldom seen outside of affluent homes.

However, what if your unit becomes a ticking time bomb? This is a scary thought, to say the least, as nothing could be more frightening than enjoying a good night's rest only to be rudely awoken by a deafening explosion.

Even so, this is the best-case scenario as one could be easily injured or even killed if the explosion occurs in close proximity.

In August last year, a couple died while three of their family members suffered injuries when an AC exploded at their house in Rajapur upazila of Jhalakathi.

In October 2021, two workers sustained burns in a fire believed to have originated from an AC exploding at a restaurant in Dhaka's Ashkona area.

Similarly, one person died, and at least six others were injured after an AC exploded at a high-rise in Dhaka's Gulshan earlier that same year.

However, the deadliest incident in recent times came in September 2020, when at least 12 people were killed after six ACs exploded in a mosque on the outskirts of Dhaka.

This begs the question, what exactly causes an AC to explode?

A major cause is leaking refrigerant, which can ignite if sparked.

Also, poor maintenance on the owner's part can lead to a build-up of dirt and debris in the absence of regular servicing, which leads to blockages that can cause the unit to overheat and potentially explode.

This mostly happens during winter, when ACs are kept off for weeks on end without any form of upkeep.

Additionally, some ACs are prone to overheating if left running for prolonged periods due to the excessive strain on electrical components.

Likewise, power surges or low voltage can cause electrical malfunctions and result in a faulty unit.

So, what can be done to prevent such incidents in your own home? To put it simply: ensure that your AC is properly maintained through regular check-ups. Besides, this reduces the chances of leaks occurring due to excessive pressure on major components amid rising temperatures.

Also, keep in mind that ACs should not be kept running for extended periods while technicians should be called immediately should the unit emit any strange noise or smell.

Incidents of AC explosions are happening in many places and with the way temperatures are constantly rising, it is very important to ensure that units are operated as per the safety guidelines, according to Md Nurul Afsar, deputy managing director of Electro Mart Limited, which markets Gree ACs.

"Keeping this in mind, Gree AC has always adopted advanced technology," he said.

In addition, they have coated vital components in polyester powder so that the unit remains free of any rust of weather damage in any weather.

This doubly ensures that the condensers never leak, meaning that there is no chance of an accident, Afsar added.

He went on to say that a major reason for ACs to malfunction is electric fluctuations or short circuits while using the incorrect type of refrigerant in the unit also plays a part..

"So, we made the circuit of Gree ACs fireproof with glue coating. Also, we are using environmentally friendly R32 gas in our units," Afsar said.

Gree ACs also have an auto-cleaning function, which reduces the servicing requirement to just once a year.

"And to make our customers free of worry even in this regard, we provide free servicing once a year," he added.