Aircon use in NCR, areas far from Taal safe even amid ashfall —technician

Yes, Metro Manila residents can use their airconditioning units even amid the ashfall caused by Sunday's eruption of Taal Volcano in Batangas, at least according to an appliance technician interviewed by Unang Hirit on Tuesday.

In the interview, Ervin John Sacramento said only residents in areas near the volcano like Batangas and Cavite are advised not to use their aircons for the meantime.

"Para sa aming mga technician, lalo na po dun sa mga area na nasalanta na malapit dun sa area [ng bulkan], kung maaari po patayin na lang ang aircon," he said.

Asked on whether residents of areas that are far from the volcano , including Metro Manila, could use their aircons, Sacramento said: "Puwede naman po."

Sacramento said the same principle goes with airconditioning units in vehicles.

Sacramento said the ashfall could either damage the airconditioning unit or affect the health of the homeowner.

"Hihigupin ang abo. Dalawa ang magiging problema: Una pag binuksan mo 'yung aircon, 'yung condition ng aircon mahihirapan. Puwedeng madala sa pagkasira," he said.

"Pangalawa, 'yung kalusugan natin. kaya nga nagma-mask," Sacramento added.

Whether or not aircon use is safe during ashfall has been discussed widely in social media residents from as far as Central Luzon woke up to a blanket of sooth Monday morning following Taal's eruption.

The Department of Health (DOH) has already warned about the health risks of turning on the aircon during ashfall. —KBK, GMA News