How Air Conditioning Affects Learning

Sitting through a lesson on a hot summer’s day is a challenge that students from all over Australia are familiar with. Scientists have understood for a long time that hot days can have a major impact on students’ ability to learn. As temperatures climb, attention spans drop and classroom performance falls. 

Air conditioning provides a simple solution to the problem. By maintaining classroom temperatures at between 22 and 25°C, both students and teachers can see a few major benefits.

The Science Behind Heat and Learning Performance

Research shows that temperature is a vital factor in how well our brains work. This goes beyond just feeling comfortable – heat changes the way our brains function, especially when we try to learn.

What the research says

Scientists have found links between heat exposure and reduced brain power by studying millions of students worldwide. A detailed analysis of 14.5 million students across 61 countries showed that high temperatures make it harder to learn and remember things. This is even more important for schools in Queensland where summer temps regularly go above 30 degrees.

How the brain reacts to high temperatures

Our brains don’t handle temperature changes well. Heat makes our hearts beat faster and can lead to dehydration, both of which directly hurt our memory and problem-solving skills.

Think about a computer. If it’s working too hard to stay cool, it has less power for other tasks. Just like computers, the brain creates heat when we think, remember, and respond to things. Blood vessels help keep the brain cool by moving extra heat away, but it all starts to struggle when it gets too hot outside.

How Air Conditioning Helps Learning

Improved concentration

Do you remember your school days? Being expected to sit still and listen to the teacher for hours at a time was a challenge, and summer temperatures made it much harder. Heat places stress on your body and brain, making it difficult to sit still and keep your mind on a task. 

Using air conditioners to keep classrooms cool improves concentration and allows teachers to deliver more complex lessons without having to worry about whether their students can keep up.

Cleaner air quality

Brisbane’s summer heat often comes along with stagnant air. As temperatures increase, air movement slows and pollution and pollen become trapped. The effects are even worse in places where hot days dry out the ground and increase the amount of dirt and dust in the air. 

Split systems and ducted air conditioners both filter the air they’re cooling, drastically improve indoor air quality by removing the dust, pollen and pollution from the air. 1 in 9 people in Australia have asthma, so by improving air quality, air conditioning helps look after the health of students and avoid the distracting symptoms that come with polluted air.

Better academic performance

Each year the mercury climbs and academic scores fall. Research has shown that every degree of temperature increase comes with a real effect on classroom and exam performance. Every day that indoor temperatures are over 32°C reduces students’ overall performance for the year, and days over 37°C have an even bigger effect. Hot summers only impact performance on the days where students are expected to sit down and pay attention. The decrease in academic performance is mostly due to a lack of productivity in the heat that affects both students and teachers. 

The good news is the same research that highlighted these negative effects also showed that school air conditioning offsets nearly all of the damage that heat does to performance.

Better moods and health for students and teachers

When you’re working in an uncomfortably hot room, your brain continuously interrupts your train of thought as it tries to remind your body to stay cool. This doesn’t just result in lower academic and exam scores; it worsens moods and causes irritation in both students and teachers. Put that together with the extra strain heat puts on your body, and it’s a recipe for tired, cranky classrooms.

Think about hot days where you’re walking around outside and how much better you feel when you come into an air conditioned store or workplace. It’s a simple fix that can boost the mood of students and teachers alike.

Choosing the Right System for Your School

Now that you understand the benefits, you can start thinking about the right cooling solution that fits your school’s needs, size, and budget. 

Split vs ducted systems for classrooms

Split systems pair an external unit that pulls in outside air with an internal unit that spreads cool air through the room. These systems come with several benefits:

• Lower installation costs
• Individual room temperature control
• Quick and easy installation
• Perfect fit for compact, specific rooms

On the other hand, ducted systems use a central unit in the roof space that connects to multiple rooms through a duct network. These systems run quietly and blend well with ceilings and walls. The installation costs more, but zone control lets you adjust temperatures in different classrooms and shut off cooling in empty spaces.

Energy efficiency and long-term savings

Smart controllers are a helpful tool for school air conditioning. These devices hook up to your existing units and give you the power to:

• Control and schedule cooling remotely across the school
• Run units only in occupied classrooms
• Create different zones for various areas

Maintenance tips for school air conditioning

Regular maintenance can keep your systems running smoothly for years to come. Schools should follow these steps along with professional servicing:

• Clean filters and condensers often
• Check for leaks and cracks in connections
• Keep evaporator coils clean and drains clear

Choosing the Right System for Your School

Education doesn’t end at the classroom. In fact, any setting where people are expected to concentrate for long stretches of time can see the benefits of air conditioning. Air conditioners are an excellent investment in school and commercial settings, but they’re also good for improving at-home concentration for those homework or work-from-home days. The expert team from Technicool can help! We tailor split systems and ducted air conditioning installs for residential, school and commercial settings. If you’re looking to improve performance and comfort with the help of air conditioning, get in touch with us to arrange an appointment.