What Causes Mold To Form In Air Conditioners
Mold in air conditioning units is mostly the result of not cleaning the system or having regular maintenance done on it. Over time, your ac unit will collect a large amount of dust and dirt from inside and outside your home, which mold can feed on.
Therefore, cleaning and having yearly HVAC maintenance done pays off in the long run because mold deteriorates and destroys the surfaces it grows on. If it finds its way onto vital components within the system such as styrofoam and coils, it will not function correctly and eventually cease to work while causing health problems for the house occupants.
Leakages within the ac unit are another cause, which is usually the result of an incorrectly installed system or due to a lack of maintenance. The water which accumulates attracts more dust than usual, and both the water and dust fuel mold growth within the air conditioner.
The final cause of mold in the ac unit is from not running it regularly. If it stands unused for extended periods , mold spores will get a chance to develop into mold. Its recommended to run your ac unit each day for a few minutes to clear out the vents. That way, when summer comes around, you wont have any nasty surprises.
Is Mold A Problem In Your Residence
If mold seems to plague your house, there’s a problem somewhere.
Your Central AC System – If you’ve got a central air conditioning unit, mold can grow in your ducts. This is particularly true if your ducts are the wrong size and/or if your AC or heat pump is the wrong size. These issues may not enable the dehumidification process, which goes to be complete enough. Water contracts on cold, mold spores and dusty sheet metal have all they have to grow.
We highly suggest having the machine looked at by an HVAC professional. Obtaining two remarks about what the issue is and the way to solve it’s a fantastic idea.
Your Home or Building You should definitely try to remove mold in your home. If that’s not possible this time w, or until it is done, an air purifier built to eradicate mold spores from the air is a great short-term option. Once the mold has been eliminated, the air purifier will keep your air cleaner and more breathable.
Symptoms Of Mold In Air Ducts
Black mold can cause negative health effects if its in your home. It can affect the respiratory system and cause uncomfortable irritation. If you have a black mold infestation in your air vents, you and other residents will likely experience some physical symptoms. Some physical signs to watch for in you and your family include:
Act Now and Remove Mold from your HomeCall a Professional Mold Remediation Specialist or Get Up to 4 Quotes Now.
- Irritated feelings in eyes, nose, and/or throat. Symptoms may get worse when AC is turned on.
- Persistent headache whenever you are home, but goes away when you go outside. If anyone in your household is experiencing this symptom, you could have black mold in your HVAC.
- Allergy symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes, or rashes.
- Nausea, fatigue, or dizziness whenever you are inside the home.
If you, your family, or anyone that frequents your home is experiencing these symptoms you could have mold in your HVAC system. Please contact a professional to check the vents.
Also read our in-depth article on: Black mold symptoms.
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Ac Unit Mold Removal Instructions
Knowing When To Call A Professional
Accessing all of the potential hiding spots for mould in your air conditioner can be a difficult and painstaking process. It requires an excellent working knowledge of the anatomy of your particular air conditioning system . Some of the parts of your air conditioner on which mould might form are in areas that should not be accessed by anyone other than a licensed and trained air conditioning specialist because of the potential for electrocution or injury.
Accessibility can be problematic without the right tools and equipment. And thats where we come in. If you suspect that you have a mouldy air conditioner, we can arrange a thorough inspection of your system to confirm the presence. Well happily discuss your options for treatment and removal of the mould in a fast and environmentally friendly manner.
That said, preventing mould in the first place is essential. You can do this by having your air conditioner thoroughly serviced and cleaned on an annual basis by an air conditioning specialist. At H & H Air Conditioning, we offer a comprehensive, proactive air conditioning service . Well stop a potential mould problem in its tracks, before it has a chance to take hold.
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How Does A Window Air Conditioner Work
An air conditioning system is too complex to describe in detail in this article. Still, in brief, it transfers heat from a set of coils inside your window. Then, a compressor moves this to a set of coils outside the window.
In a window AC, the hot and cold parts of the air conditioning system are in the same unit but separated by a panel. This is important to understand because there are two fans usually powered by the same motor.
On the outside, it pulls air from the atmosphere to cool the hot coils. On the inside, it pulls air from your room to cool the air, thereby heating the coils.
Wipe Down The Grill And Exterior
While your filter is drying, wash the grill with warm water and mild detergent. Or if you don’t want to wash it, you can instead use a damp reusable cloth to wipe it down — just make sure to clean thoroughly in between the gaps where air comes out. Let it dry completely before reattaching it.
Once you’ve cleaned the grill, wipe down the top and sides of the air conditioner. Take care to get inside of small spaces where it’s easy for dirt and dust to collect. Wait until the grill and exterior are fully dry before running the unit.
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Why You Need A Professional To Remove Mold
Hiring a professional to clean may seem like an unnecessary expense, but technicians can take care of mold and help prevent it from coming back more effectively and safely than you can do yourself.
First of all, scrubbing mold with ordinary cleaners wont make it go away. Regular cleaning products will leave behind enough mold for it to easily grow back. Professionals have the proper equipment to protect themselves and your home or business from not only the mold, but the chemicals they use to clean it.
You could also accidentally damage your HVAC system if you try to clean mold in air ducts yourself. Professionals know what to look for and how to treat your AC with care. Professional ductwork cleaners have HVAC training, so theyll be familiar with your system and know how to clean it without damaging it. They also use the correct mold growth inhibitor products to prevent it from coming back, and they know how to properly dispose of tools to prevent contaminating other areas.
Learn more about professional duct cleaning services:
Why Should You Worry About Mould In Your Air Conditioner
Not all moulds are created equal. Mould is a microscopic organism a fungus. There are good and bad moulds. For example, your camembert or brie cheese relies on mould for its distinctive flavour and texture. And where would we be without the wonder-drug penicillin? Its derived from a type of mould that scientist Alexander Fleming stumbled across. Unfortunately, the types of mould you might discover lurking in your air conditioning unit arent particularly friendly or useful ones. In fact, theyre much more likely to cause you harm than good.
Mould spores are the mechanism through which mould reproduces. When your air conditioning unit is at rest, its the perfect petri dish for a wayward mould spore to grow on. Once comfortably at home in your air conditioner, a mould spore will reproduce. Further spores will be released and become airborne. Theyll spread throughout your home, landing on your food, your clothes and you. And from there youll eat them and breathe them in. If you have an allergic sensitivity to mould, its presence in your air conditioner is likely to trigger a significant reaction. Likewise, if you have asthma or any other respiratory illness, mould is a risk factor that can put you in hospital.
Some moulds are also thought to be responsible for the production of mycotoxins, a leading contributor to serious and life-threatening illnesses such as pneumonia, particularly in children, the elderly and the immune-supressed.
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How To Clean Moldy Hvac Coils
Apart from the styrofoam on your window air conditioner, your entire unit is also at risk of mold growth, especially the coils.
When mold grows on the air conditioner coils, it can impede the efficient cooling of your air conditioner.
The same is true if your unit is covered in dust and grime.
In turn, this will lead to high monthly energy bills and warmer air conditioner air.
It may even cause your air conditioner to cease functioning and require repair service.
To get rid of mold development on your air conditioner coils, do the steps below.
Mold growth on your HVAC system is disgusting.
The spores can easily spread through the air coming from your air conditioner.
Besides smelling musty, molds may also cause health problems such as breathing complications and allergic reactions.
Finding The Right Professional
When looking for a professional HVAC technician, its important to narrow your search to only licensed, bonded and insured contractors. This will ensure the company you choose to work with has the expertise to get the job done right and will stand behind the quality of their work. Always hire a reputable contractor.
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Mold Is Difficult To Eradicate
Once mold has found a home in your AC, its there to stay in most cases. The moment that you recognize those black mold spots, it may already be too late.
Moldy window AC units need to be replaced more often than not. This is specifically why mold prevention is preferred over fighting existing mold in an AC.
What Type Of Mold Grows In Air Conditioners
There are thousands of types of mold. Of these, the most common types of mold found in air conditioners and ductwork include:
- Aspergillus: a genus of mold fungus prone to triggering allergic reactions and illness in people with weak immune systems.
- Cladosporium: a very common genus of mold with a green to black appearance, often relatively innocuous though it can still trigger allergic reactions and worsen asthma.
- Stachybotrys chartarum: known as black mold or toxic mold, Stachybotrys chartarum is a particularly dangerous species of mold that produces poisonous mycotoxins.
Also Check: What Causes Mold On Ceiling In Bathroom
How To Avoid Mold In Window Ac
Now that the Black Mold from the air purifier is gone keep it away to deprive it of water and food!
1) Remove Dust: Mold feeds on dirt and dust. If you vacuum away dust, dirt, pollen, dust, and other substances, you can “starve” any mold that starts growing. Tak compressed air to blow dust out the back of the AC might also help. When not in use to keep it from becoming 22, some folks cover the AC area with a towel.
2) Use Fan Mode to Dry the Inside of the AC: Several window ACs have a Fan option. The compressor won’t come on to transfer heat, but the fan will blow. Once you’ve cooled the room, turn on Fan Mode
This will dry out the inside of the air conditioner – and since the EPA reminds us, moisture management is the key to mold control.
3) Clean Your Window AC a couple of times during the Cooling Season: if you reside in a hot climate, particularly one that’s humid too, clean your AC at least two times during the cooling season. Examine it monthly.
If your AC doesn’t get much use, cleaning it once during the summers should be sufficient unless you or someone in your family is especially sensitive to mold.
Turn Off Your Ac To Prevent Further Spreading
Before cleaning your AC, you should first shut off the system. This will prevent mold spores from further circulating around your house. You need to unplug the system and visually inspect the unit to see if you have a mold problem. This will require you to grab a flashlight because mold may be further down the system. You need to be vigilant of the signs of mold, which can include streaks of green, black or brown stains. Occasionally, these stains will appear fuzzy. You also need to watch out for the development of mildew, which takes the form of white and powdery gray stains.
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Can Grey And White Be Washed Together
similarly, Is the black stuff in my AC mold?
If youve noticed black stuff coming out of your AC vents, its most likely either: Soot from candles or your fireplace Mold spores. Dark dust or dirty insulation.
on the other hand, What do you do if your air conditioner has mold?
Fill a plastic bucket with a few gallons of hot water and about 1/2 cup of household bleach. Saturate a scrubbing sponge in the bleach solution and use it to wipe the inside surfaces of the AC unit, removing all traces of visible mold. The bleach will kill residual mold spores.
also, How bad is mold in your AC? Unfortunately, AC units represent a particularly risky place for mold to grow, since they push air through the house. This means that a moldy air conditioner will actually blow microscopic mold spores into the air you breathe, spreading the spores throughout the rest of your home.
How do you know if your air conditioner has mold?
How to Check for Mold in the HVAC System?
Use The Vacuum To Clean Up Dirt
Most vacuum cleaners come with attachments that allow you to clean hard-to-reach places. Use the attachment to clean up as much debris and dirt as you can. You may need to rotate the unit to reach certain components that are prone to dust build-up. You want to make sure you clean the evaporator coil and blower motor. This will make wiping down the unit to clean off the mold much simpler.
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Know When The Best Time To Clean Your Ac Is
You are most likely to find mold in your AC after it has gone unused for a while. Mold is most likely to develop over the winter when you are not using your air conditioner for several months on end. Therefore, you want to inspect your unit right before summer when you may turn it on again. You want to ensure it works properly because you do not want the system to blow mold particles throughout your home. This can lead to health complications, such as headaches, sore throats, and other respiratory issues.
