Living in Air Conditioning

parktho

Hey,

I'm undertaking an exchange to Manipal University in the south near Mangalore from August until January. Before I leave, I have to opt for air-conditioned lodging or non-air-conditioned lodging. I live in Mackay in Queensland, Australia and the Summers here are upward of 35 degrees Celsius and very humid (when it actually rains). I live without air-conditioning. Very rarely, I will migrate to my brothers room for the night which has air-conditioning, but I normally survive without it. I'm wondering whether I can do the same in India, particularly at this location? Air-conditioned lodging has quite a large price premium on it and I'd prefer to save the money. Can I have peoples opinion on this matter that ideally have experienced a summer here in tropical Australia and in India from August to January, but any advice is appreciated!

Cheers, Thomas.

gautam

I am not sure about mangalore but in delhi the temp raises to 45 degrees celsius. People still live there without AC.
If you have already planned to save money, then u should opt for Non AC room as you mentioned.
If the course goes on for some time, you should get accustomed to the climate.

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roopesh_kohad

35 degrees and humid. You said it. That's the maximum worse it can go and may be a little beyond. But that is in summers. I think it would be absolutely fine during your period of stay (Aug-Jan), later part being best.

karthik_mitta

Aug-Jan in Mangalore should not be too bad and you can survive without air-conditioning. A high speed fan will help
It will be humid and all, but you will live.

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crvlvr

I have been to Manipal and ot can be rather hot and humid during Mar - Jun. But, definetly tolerable with a fan. Go with the Non A/C room and help reduce greenhouse gases. Student days are meant to be roughed out. Most to all Indian students will be without a/c. the snobbish NRI/foreign students will opt of a/c rooms. Which category would you like to be classified into?

Nick-H

If it was me, there is only one category I'd want to put in: The comfortable one!

It sounds like you are used to hot and humid and probably do without AC quite happily. That will save you a lot on electricity bills!

But opt for comfort over roughing it, any day. You have some important work to do!

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shashank.aggarwal

I totally agree...its not traveling Or holidaying...

if you think you can afford comfort you should go for it..

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karthik_mitta

The preference is "save the money"

Hence.. Non AC will work just fine given the climatic conditions during Aug-Jan.

incitatus

I'm from cold rainy Edinburgh where we've had 3 days above 20 deg so far this year- so on climate control.....
I find spending the rainy season in somewhere REALLY rainy like Mangalore quite comfortable .The warm moist dampness is much more comfy than Delhi which is much hotter and though less humid ,much more uncomfortable.The dry season in Mangalore is warm dry and wonderful.
Some reasons for having A/C -Mosquitos including those which carry malaria are not keen on A/C, neither are cockroaches or other creepy crawly things .Living in the tropics you'll be used to the vigorous insect life bit A/C can be useful as part of your malaria prophylaxis

Nick-H

I don't find AC has any effect on mosquitoes.

No. I find that they like it! In my old place, where I had AC blowing on the end of my bed net, I would often find them sitting there in the cool draft!

parktho

Thanks for the info. I'll probably go with no aircon. Are the nights much cooler than the days?

I can understand comfort over cost whilst studying, but the college I attend in Brisbane doesn't have aircon, and we all 'rough it' whilst paying three times the price of an AC room in India!

Are mosquitoes a concern? I was told they aren't too bad in Manipal as it is 200m above see level. Before I arrive though, I'm doing some travelling. Is a mosquitoe net necessary? I will be on doxycycline as an antimalarial.

Cheers, Thomas.

Idli

As somebody pointed out, you are past the hot months and you will be out of there just before it gets hot again. But you will be in time for the Monsoons. It is going to rain/drizzle pretty much 24/7 for next couple of months. Rain coat is a must.

Be prepared for mosquito's too. It may not be a big problem during rainy season. But they will come back later. One good advice - Close your dorm room doors/windows during times of peak mosquito activity - evening hours.

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nvik16

I lived in manipal for 4 years . I studied engineering in manipal . It's pretty ok in summers if you can take in humidity . I never liked humidity but if you can tolerate that it will be pretty ok . Manipal has nice places all around it, cool places even . You should be OK if you can take in the humidity .