How To Clean Moldy Air Conditioner
Depending on the severity of the mold, you can also try to remove it by removing the mold with a bleach solution. Its important to be careful when handling bleach because the solution can be toxic if you dont wear protective gear. Moreover, its also important to wear a mask, gloves, and goggles before you begin cleaning. This will ensure that you dont breathe in the mold spores.
Then, you should apply Tilex to the frame of the air filter. Then, you should add some antibacterial dish soap to the water. This will help to kill bacteria and other contaminants in the air. After youve applied the antibacterial soap, its time to remove the air filter. You should then apply the clean filter with the resulting solution and then clean it as well. After the mold has been removed, you should clean the ducts and leave the area until the problem is gone.
Scrub Inside Air Conditioner
Immerse your scrubber into the cleaning solution you made. Thoroughly scrub inside and around the AC unit.
Change the cleaning solution as needed. A thorough scrub should be able to remove the mold growth. However, if you notice that it is persistent, you are better off calling a professional to remove the mold from your AC.
Allow the cleaning solution to sit on your AC surface for approximately 10 minutes.
Should I Replace The Vents/ductwork
Just because the vents are moldy, theres no need to replace them. As long as structural integrity remains, simple cleaning is enough. If you have a central AC system and the vents are moldy, take a look at the ductwork. Finding mold here a well is not uncommon.
If mold exists within your ductwork, theres no need to worry about replacing that either.
In fact, with a flexible mop and the cleaning solution of your choice may be enough to deal with it. You should know that if the situation is bad enough, you can call professionals in for ductwork cleaning.
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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.
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 To Prevent Window A/c Units From Molding
Mold appears as the result of a damp environment. If your window A/C unit has mold on it, that means you’re at risk for health problems and a costly replacement.
To fix this problem, Warner Service is offering some expert prevention tips:
Buy a unit with humidity control. Many window A/C units come with a humidity control option. This option allows the air conditioning unit to control the level of humidity in the air, automatically discouraging the growth of mold.
Use auto mode. When you leave for family vacation, dont turn your unit off. This leaves your home without airflow, causing moisture to build up without circulation and temperatures to rise without an active cooling system. Warm, moist, and stale air is the perfect environment for mold to grow.
Instead, use the auto function on your air conditioning unit. This will continuously cycle the air in your home while youre away for a long period of time.
Perform regular maintenance. HVAC maintenance is so important, especially during the shift in seasons. It allows your heating and cooling system to prepare for the change in weather before its too late.
Because window A/C units are dark and warm on the inside, it’s a great mold breeding ground. Preventing this requires basic HVAC maintenance, including checking it regularly and carefully cleaning any sign of water or formed mold.
How To Tell If Your Unit Has Mold
How To Clean A/C Unit Mold
Licensing Info
How To Get Rid Of Mold
Despite regularly inspecting your system, you are still getting complaints about it , here are some tips you can share with your HVAC contractor for cleaning it up:
Check out these other resources:
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How To Get Rid Of Black Mold On Styrofoam In Air Conditioner
Every air conditioner is supposed to have EPS in it, acting as insulation as well as a filter so you cant go without it. With that in mind, in cases of high humidity in the air, mold growth can become quite a serious issue.
Most of the time, styrofoam is mold-resistant but occasionally, mold may grow on it as well.
To get rid of mold, you will either have to clean it or replace the styrofoam altogether.
This article will teach you how to eliminate mold on Styrofoam in air conditioner and prevent future growth.
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 Remove Mold From Air Conditioner
We dont recommend that homeowners attempt to clean a central air unit or ventilation . If, on an inspection of a small self-contained unit, you have decided to tackle it yourself, heres what youll need to do:
If youre intimidated by the above work, remember: hiring a mold removal expert is always a safe and sure-fire way of getting mold eradicated.
Remove Air Conditioner Components
If you are cleaning the window air conditioner or working with individual vents of the air conditioners, use a screwdriver to remove the grille in front of the air conditioner.
Next, unscrew the top and back of the cabinet and the front filter.
As you unscrew, arrange them in an order that will help you have an easier time reassembling back. Put all the screws in one container you do not want to lose them.
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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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How Does Mold Growth In Air Conditioners
Mold spores are literally all around us. They are constantly floating through the air and landing on sold surfaces. In nature, when those spores land on organic matter, such as fallen trees and leaves, they grow and feed on the matter, aiding in decomposition hence, outdoor mold growth is actually quite beneficial. Of course, mold spores get inside, too. The microscopic spores float inside through windows, doors, chimneys, and ventilation systems. They can also attach to shoes, clothing, bags, and anything else that goes outside, and when those items are brought back inside, they become airborne, travel throughout your house, and land on all types of surface.
Try as you might, there is no way to completely eliminate mold spores in your house. Minimal concentrations of mold spores usually arent problematic the problem arises when those spores continue to multiple and become mold. Why? Because patches of mold release spores, and the concentrations of the spores that mold growth produces can be quite high. Thats where the problem lies, and where adverse health effects as a result of mold exposure can occur. Since it is impossible to stop mold spores from entering your house, in order to prevent the negative effects that mold exposure can cause, you need to work on preventing the spores from growing into the fungi.
In order to grow, mold needs just a few basic things:
- Dimly lit conditions
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How To Clean Mold On Your Ac Vents
Theres no need to panic or scramble if you find some mold on your AC vents. So long as youre willing, you can take care of it. Put yourself first, though. Before you begin, take measures to protect yourself from the mold. Rubber gloves, respiratory protection, and safety glasses are must-haves.
As far as what you will need to deal with the mold, theres no need to go nuts. Your favorite detergent, bleach , and water are what youll need. Of course, you can use commercially available EPA registered mold removal solutions and inhibitors to prevent the mold from returning.
Benefits Of Regular Maintenance
Overall, the best way to avoid mini split repairs or weird smells is with regular maintenance. We agree with manufacturers when we recommend two tune-ups a year: One in the fall, before winter, and another in the spring before the cooling season begins.
With a tune-up, a certified technician inspects your entire system for any problems. Thats when we catch issues such as electrical problems or worn-out mechanical parts. Theyll also clean the system, avoiding problems like mold.
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How To Prevent Mold In The Air Conditioner
Keeping mold out of your air conditioner is the best way to ensure you have clean air circulating in your home, and there are several steps to do this.
HEPA filters: All air conditioner units come fitted with air filters. The problem with these filters is that they only block out the larger particles and they are there to protect the components of the unit and not your health. Fortunately, there are HEPA filters available for these systems, which will prevent microscopic mold spores from entering the air conditioner and, ultimately, your home.
UV filters: Most new air conditioners available for purchase today comes with a bacteria-killing UV light filter already fitted. In many cases, a UV filter can be purchased separately and installed on the current AC unit. This filter kills up to 99% of all viruses, bacteria, and mold spores without putting any additional strain on your air conditioner. Read more about the best mold-proof UV filters for air conditioners here.
Yearly maintenance: Its recommended to have a professional come in annually to thoroughly clean and do maintenance on your air conditioner. Air filters and drain pans need to be cleaned and replaced, while air ducts should be cleaned and dried.
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Mold In Your Air Conditioner: How To Clean And Prevent Mold Growth In Your Central And Window Ac Units
Mold is a naturally-occurring organism, and it certainly serves a purpose however, it can also pose serious risks. The spores that mold produces can negatively impact your homes air quality and can lead to health complications, particularly for those who suffer from allergies and who have been diagnosed with preexisting respiratory health conditions, such as asthma or COPD. Mold can grow in any part of your home, with common locations being the basement, attic, or bathrooms, but it can also grow in other locations that many homeowners dont suspect, like an HVAC system. Its bad enough when mold growth occurs in common locations, but its even worse when it happens in a ventilation system.
Why is mold growth in an air conditioner dangerous? How can you get rid of it? What can you do to prevent it from happening? For the answers to these questions and more, and to learn how you can protect your health and the health of your loved ones, keep on reading.
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How To Prevent Mold On Air Vents
Once your air ducts are nice and clean, how can you prevent mold in the future?
- Mold growth inhibitors: Look for an EPA registered mold growth inhibitor product to prevent mold regrowth in the air vents. Follow the manufacturer guidance on how to use the product properly.
- Replace filters: You should replace your HVAC filters regularly.
- Clean drip pans: Where the drip pans collect water, mold can grow quickly. You should clean your drip pans regularly to prevent this.
- Dehumidify: Keep moisture levels down in the house. You should invest in a good dehumidifier and keep it near places that are prone to mold growth.
- Regular inspections: You should hire a professional company to inspect your ventilation system regularly. This ensures there are no leaks, mold regrowth or other faults that could lead to mold and mildew. These companies can also maintain and clean the air vents to ensure theyre in tip top condition.
- Regular cleaning: Make sure youre regularly cleaning your air vents and ducts before mold appears. You can use the above methods to keep them clean so that they arent the ideal environment for mold.
- Clear path: Dont put objects or obstacles over your air vents. This limits good air circulation which can lead to mold growth.
- UV light or ionization air purifiers: These items kill mold, viruses and bacteria. Consider getting these installed within your HVAC system such as the coils or fan units to eliminate odors, mold and other nasties.
