Common Signs Of Mold In Your Air Conditioner
There are several common signs to look for when it comes to mold growth in an air conditioner. One of the most noticeable signs is a musty scent that only seems to fill the room when the air conditioner is running. This odor stems from mildew. The smell might be limited to a single room if you’re using a window-mounted, freestanding, or wall-mounted air conditioner, but the musty scent can fully permeate your home if you have significant mold buildup in your central AC unit.
Mold is also known to cause a variety of negative health conditions, like allergic reactions, trouble breathing, and various respiratory problems. Signs of ongoing allergic reaction or respiratory problems can indicate the presence of mold. You can also see large patches of mold, so if you spot fuzzy, black, or green-black patches, you know the AC unit has mold. Mold can also be brown, green, white, pink, yellow, or orange, though black is the most common color.
Reassemble The Ac Components
After everything is fully dry, you can re-install the parts of the AC unit and switch it on.
If you smell a moldy or a musty smell in the air after your AC is on, there is still mold growing in the AC unit. You will need to call an expert to help you eliminate all the mold spores in your central AC system.
Mold In Central Air Conditioners
If you suspect mold in your central air system or ductwork, contact an HVAC professional to handle the inspection and cleaning process. Repairing your heating and cooling system is not a DIY job and you dont want to risk damaging other parts of the unit.
Need help finding a certified HVAC expert? Click below.
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To ensure your system works properly for its intended lifespan, schedule routine maintenance ahead of the summer season. A technician can help you prevent mold growth and other damages from occurring so your home and family are comfortable when hot weather hits.
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Signs Of Mold In Your Heating & Air Conditioning System
You only need to do something about mold in your air conditioning system if there are obvious signs, such as visible mold or a strong mildew smell. The typical places you want to check for mold include the air ducts, intake vents, cooling coils, and drip pans.
If you cant see any signs of mold, but there is a definite odor, you should call a professional to inspect your system. Mold in your air ducts or other parts of your air conditioning system should be dealt with immediately. Failure to address this problem can encourage mold spores to be spread throughout your house as the system blows air across the mold and into the various parts of the house. Do not run your air conditioning system, especially if mold is present in your air ducts or near the intake vent.
Prevent Mold In Window Air Conditioner
If youre thinking youd rather put in the work to prevent mold in window air conditioner parts rather than break out the scrub brush and gloves each summer, were here to help.
- Remove dust from the unit to deprive mold of its food source. Use a vacuum to remove dust particles from the front portion of the unit.
- Use fan mode occasionally to dry out any exposed parts of the unit that may have become damp with condensation.
- Change or clean your filter as suggested by the user manual.
- Inspect the unit monthly while its being used to ensure mold isnt going undetected.
- Clean the unit thoroughly once the summer season is over.
- Protect the unit with a durable air conditioner cover while its stored away after the summer season.
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Contact A Professional From Day & Night Air
There is some AC work you can do on your own. However, there are other projects you should entrust to the experts at Day & Night Air. Contact us through our online form if you have any HVAC issues. We can send one of our experienced employees to your house soon to see what the problem is and to recommend the best course of action.
How To Clean Mold Out Of Ac Frequently Asked Questions
We answer some FAQs on how to remove mold from your air conditioner. We understand how tricky and worrying this can be, especially with the severe health risks involved.Hopefully, these questions will help you learn how to clean the mold in AC better or know when to call for a professional HVAC technician.
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How To Clean Mold In Ac
Mold in a central air conditioning unit requires professional service. If you discover mold in your central air unit, stop using the unit immediately. You may also turn your thermostats fan function off to reduce the amount of air being circulated in your home.
Trust a professional mold service like STOP Restoration to address mold in your central air conditioning system.
Signs You Have Mold In Your Central Air System
- Signs You Have Mold in Your Central Air System
Mold in your central air system can have negative effects on both your AC and your health. Check out these signs you have mold, and learn what to do about it.
Have you noticed an odd, moldy smell in your home, but you can’t seem to pinpoint where it’s coming from?
You’ve checked the refrigerator, the bathroom, and behind the washing machine, but you’re still coming up empty. Maybe the culprit is actually your central air system.
The idea of having dangerous mold spreading throughout your home through the air vents can be nerve-wracking, but there are some simple signs that can tell you if that’s the problem.
Keep reading to discover the signs and causes of mold in your central air system, and what you can do about it.
How Common is Mold, and What Causes it?
Mold in homes is more common than you may think.
According to a World Health Organization report, dampness and mold exist in 50% of American homes. More specifically, one out of every six allergy sufferers’ symptoms can be blamed on mold in their central air system, according to a study done by the National Institutes of Health.
Even the smell of mold can be enough to cause illness, even if there aren’t any spores present.
Now, you’re probably asking what exactly causes mold?
Well, mold can grow as long as the following three factors are present: food, moisture, and a stable environment. Unfortunately, your central air system is the perfect home for mold.
You Can Smell It
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Why Would Mold Grow In My Air Ducts
Mold grows in ductwork when there is moisture and the temperature is warm. A warm, humid environment is the ideal place for mold to thrive in, and Houston, Texas is one such place where you may always need the service of mold remediation companies.
Mold could also grow in your air ducts when you have HVAC problems such as:
- An oversized AC unit larger units in small spaces cool off the air too quickly and go off before dehumidifying the air, leading to the excess moisture that mold needs to thrive in.
- A leaking duct ducts that have leaks that let in warm air creates the temperature differential that can invite mold.
Also, if you set your AC on a very low temperature always, you could just be creating the right environment for mold to settle in your HVAC duct.
Remove The Front Panel
To get inside the unit, you will need to take off the front panel. Although AC units come with different designs, most panels are made the same. You should be able to use your nut driver to unscrew the panel and pull it out. You can change the filter at this point if it is located in your system. If you have a washable filter we suggest disposing of it and switching over to pleated disposable filters. Washable filters tend to never get clean once they get dirty. It is a good habit to replace the air filter once every few months no matter what.
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Put On Protective Clothing And Make Safety Precautions
Depending on the severity of the cleaning solution that you chose, you will need to take some safety measures in order to keep yourself free from harm . Because you are working with mold, we recommend the following:
- A respirator, or air mask, that is adequate for blocking mold spores from entering your lungs. The EPA recommends a N95 mask or equivalent.
Cleaning Without Removing A Window Air Conditioner
It can be hard to clean a window air conditioner without disconnecting it from the wall as you need a considerable amount of water. However, it is possible with a little more effort.
Before starting the job, you should put some buckets under your AC. Then, take off the screws of the frontal case or mask and take out the filter.
Afterward, you need to spray the device and wipe it with the dry cloth at the same time. Repeat the process until you see the frontal and inner parts are entirely clean. Dont forget to spray the filter and rinse it, as well. It is an excellent idea to do so in your bath or sink.
The next step is to go outside and spray the AC without removing the cover. Do it wherever you see the hole. Leave the agent and water to soak all the parts of the device for approximately 15 minutes.
Then rinse the device with water from the hose or bucket. Make sure not to pour a large amount of water immediately. It is better to use less water over a more extended period. While doing so, you will see the dirt comes from the bottom holes of the outside unit.
You will know a window air conditioner is clean once the water coming out becomes clean. If needed, you can repeat the soaking part, but always rinse the detergent or bleach afterward.
Once you have finished with the cleaning, you should leave all the parts to dry for at least 2 to 4 hours. After putting back all the pieces together, your seasonal cleaning is finished.
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Mold On Window Air Conditioner Styrofoam And Other Places
Sometimes youre aware theres black mold in window AC units because they smell musty, or theyve been running for a while, but you dont know why.
People who are allergic to mold often know its nearby when they experience allergy symptoms coughing, sneezes, watery eyes, asthma attacks, etc.
Other times, window AC mold is evident in the filter, housing, etc.
Dont let mold grow. However, there are steps you can take if mold appears.
Put On Your Protective Wear
Ensure you have on your protective eyewear, a face mask perfectly covering your mouth and nose, and non-porous gloves. You can find all these in your local hardware store.
Remember that mold exposure can make you sick. If you have mold allergies or are worried about the health effects, HVAC Santa Clarita can do the risky cleaning activity for you.
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Use Detergent & Baking Soda
Detergent and baking soda is a more powerful version of killing mold than using laundry detergent. Below are the steps you should follow.
How Dangerous Is Mold In Air Conditioners
Mold in your AC unit is so dangerous that sometimes cleaning is not practical. Sometimes, you may even need to replace the entire AC unit, or invest in air conditioning repair services to get rid of it and its effects of being exposed to it.
Small amounts sometimes may go unnoticed. However, after some time, these symptoms of mold exposure will start being clear in your house:
These symptoms can be severe for people and pets with mold allergies.
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How To Clean Split Air Conditioners
This article was co-authored by Victor Belavus. Victor Belavus is an Air Conditioning Specialist and the Owner of 212 HVAC, an air condition repair and installation company based in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to HVAC and air conditioning units, Victor also specializes in furnace repair and air duct cleaning. He has over 10 years of experience working with HVAC systems.There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 476,696 times.
Air conditioners are essential to keeping your home and business cool during hot weather. Split air conditioners are a common type of cooling system well-known for their compact, ductless format. The inner unit looks like a long rectangle thats built into a wall of your home, while the outdoor unit, known as a condenser or compressor, looks like a large metal box. Any air conditioner is only as good as its inner workings, so its important to examine and clean your split A/C often. Start by accessing and cleaning your indoor A/C unit before you work your way outside to clean the condenser.
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How Dangerous Is Mold In An Ac Unit
Having mold in your air conditioning system is no more or less dangerous than having mold in any other place in your home. The differenceand the dangeris in airflow. Mold in air conditioning ducts can quickly spread through your HVAC ducts and linger in any room in your home with air vents. As a result, mold spores can impact your health anywhere, as opposed to being a more isolated problem when limited to a single room like your basement or attic.
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Tips To Controlling Moisture
The second and harder part to control of the air handler is the moisture. The air handler condensates water from the coils, which are inside the unit. The coils have tracks that carefully drip the water into the bottom of the air handler to the condensation line.
The condensation line is usually made out of PVC and is in front of the unit coming out. Here is an up close picture:
So in order to control the moisture of an air handler, we need to ensure water is properly draining out of the condensation line.
The condensation line should have these attachments to help control moisture:
A float switch this switch turns the air handler off if the condensation line gets backed up. We mention in the home maintenance article that you should pour vinegar down the condensation line to clean it every 1-3 months.
Insulation the condensation line should be insulated. If the water inside is 40 degrees and your garage is 95 degrees, you can imagine the outside of the PVC pipe will condensate water and drip.
Clog Free & Dripping Outside Ensure your condensation line is clog free by attaching a wet/dry vac to the outside end of your condensation line. The end of your condensation line is usually dripping next to your A/C unit and is 3/4inches wide.
An important note, you should be certain the condensation is NOT dripping underneath your unit and puddling! Ensure water is only flowing outside your home!
Preventing Mold In Hvac Systems
AC units create moisture during normal operation. The key to preventing mold in your AC unit and its spreading throughout your HVAC system is to keep a careful eye on excess moisture buildup. Make inspecting drains, drip pans, intake vents, and air vents a regular part of your HVAC maintenance routine.
The more frequently you use your air conditioner, the more important it is to check for the signs of mold. This could be as often as every other week, depending on the moisture levels of your climate. Annual HVAC inspection from One Hour Heating & Air will also reduce the risk of developing mold.
For mold removal or remediation, we strongly recommend working with a mold expert to keep yourself and family safe. Mold can pose a serious health hazard and requires expert service.
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How To Kill Mold On An A/c Unit
Killing mold on an A/C unit is not as difficult as you might think. However, cleaning out the unit to ensure that the mold is dead is slightly more difficult. Since most mold in air conditioners grows on damp dirt and dust that has collected in the unit, you must be sure to remove all dust particles from the area.
Fortunately, it only requires a little time and some common household cleaning supplies to whip your air conditioner into shape and kill mold on an A/C unit.