Preventing Mould In Your Air Conditioner
Once you have mould in your air conditioning system it can be extremely difficult to remove. For that very reason, you should do everything possible to try and prevent the mould from taking hold.
You should clean your air conditioner regularly. Ensure that the filters are clean and properly fitted. Theyre your first line of defence against mould spores. A regular schedule of air conditioning maintenance should include getting your air conditioning ducts cleaned and also ensuring that any evaporation trays in your air conditioning unit are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
At the very least, you should do this every 12 months or even more regularly if possible. The best time to do so is after the winter months, when temperatures and humidity start to rise again. That way, your air conditioner will be ready to go as soon as you need it.
Your regular program of preventative maintenance includes checking and clearing your air conditioning ducts for debris and organic matter. The interior of your air conditioner should not have any standing or stagnating water because moisture is the key to mould thriving. If you notice that your air conditioning unit has any significant areas of moisture build up, particularly when its not running, there might be a bigger problem that can be addressed by getting your unit serviced by a professional air conditioning technician.
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.
Seven Ways To Remove Mold On Air Vents
If youve noticed mold on your air vents, lets get it dealt with right away. Well teach you how to get it away, how to prevent it but also talk through how to spot it.
Well also discuss whether its dangerous, why its there and what it looks like. By the end of this, youll be a mold on air vents expert, armed with the right knowledge to spot it, eliminate it and prevent it.
Remove Mold on Air Vents With Dawn Dish Soap
Turn off your AC unit. Remove the air vent grill and place it in a basin of warm soapy water for one hour. While it soaks, use a HEPA vacuum to clean the inside of the air vents. Use a rag soaked in soapy water to scrub the vent grill and air ducts clean. Allow everything to air dry thoroughly.
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What Causes Window Ac Black Mold
Knowledge is power! Knowing the causes of window AC mold can help you prevent it from again once you’ve cleaned your AC.
Three things are necessary for black mold on a window air conditioner. In the end, we discuss how to take care of the nutrients and moisture part of this equation.
Mold spores – mold is usual. Mold spores are found in most homes. By themselves, they may not pose a severe threat.
Moisture – When spores get wet, they start to grow and reproduce. This is the reason why the US Environmental Protection Agency states, “the way to control mold growth is to control moisture. But because your window AC dehumidifies the air in the room-eliminates humidity this is hard, and it is why black mold on window AC is so common.
Nutrients – Mold needs food. This the reason it does so well on old ignored food in the fridge. And this also provides a clue to keeping mold off your window AC. Starve mold by keeping the AC clean.
How To Clean Mold From Air Conditioner Coils Step By Step
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Mold In The Home: An Indoor Environment Fiasco
Theres a popular misconception that since mold is everywhere, its no big deal if its in our home. Thats false.
Sure, there are mold spores everywhere, but theyre dispersed throughout the big, wide world out there. Once colonized mold develops in a home, those particles it releases are no longer scattered throughout nature theyre trapped within the walls of the home like a contaminated snow globe. One contributor to this is modern building trends. By creating homes with net-zero energy efficiency in mind, theres very little airflow between the indoor and outdoor environments.
So, technically, mold is everywhere that it is growing because the colony continually releases those spores into the surrounding environment.
Think of it as a confetti cannon at a major sports event. The longer that mold grows, the higher volume of particles that will build up within those walls. To make matters worse, some species of mold also produce microscopic toxins called mycotoxins when they feel threatened, adding even more particles to that indoor space.
No one wants to live in a particle-filled snow globe, which is why avoiding mold in the home is so important. One of the best ways to do this is to ensure mold in a window AC unit does not occur.
Clean The Ac Regularly
There is no way around having a clean, mold-free portable AC- you have to clean it. This starts by cleaning the filter or changing it monthly to ensure airflow within the unit. Secondly, ensure there is no standing water inside the AC by emptying the condensation tray or checking the hose. You should also open the AC periodically to vacuum the dust and clean the components. A clean, dry unit is a more efficient AC, but most importantly, its not conducive to mold growth.
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What To Do If You Have Mold In Your Air Conditioner
Finding mold in your air conditioner is a problem that you should deal with immediately. If the mold is heavily infesting a small air conditioner, it’s recommended to replace the unit with a new air conditioner because even with significant cleaning there is a high chance that the mold will continue to thrive in unseen areas of the appliance. However, if the mold is relatively light, then you might be able to get rid of it before it spreads throughout the AC unit.
Wear safety glasses, a face mask, and gloves, then move the unit to a space where it can be cleaned without contaminating the rest of the home, such as the driveway. Open the air conditioner and remove the filter. You can either replace the old filter if it is disposable or wash the filter in a mix of 1 part liquid bleach to 10 parts water, allowing it to soak for at least 10 minutes to kill any mold.
Rinse the filter and allow it to air dry. While the filter dries, deep-clean all affected surfaces of the air conditioner with the solution of bleach and water. Rinse off the AC unit, being careful not to soak any electrical components, and allow it to dry before reinstalling the filter.
Signs Of Mould In Your Air Conditioner
Chances are you might not see any visible signs of mould to start with. The first sign you might have of a mouldy air conditioner is a musty or funky smell when its in operation. If youve eliminated all other potential suspects as the source of the smell, you need to turn your attention to your air conditioner.
Once a mould colony is established you might notice tell-tale black or grey circular marks on the interior surfaces of your air conditioner. Worse still, you might see evidence of mould spreading to your walls and ceiling.
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Consider Hiring Professional Services
Although mold is an increasingly common household problem today, you need to be extra cautious regarding black mold. This particular mold type is hazardous, given frequent exposure.
Black mold thrives in moist environments, such as inside AC units or walls damaged by water . Its musty odor, in particular, is enough to trigger headaches and allergic reactions. It may even trigger specific respiratory issues, such as an asthma attack.
Since youre dealing with a severe problem at hand, its recommended to consult a professional to mitigate the growth of these harmful, tiny spores. You wouldnt want to expose all the occupants of your home to dangerous health risks.
Mold removal professionals are experienced and adequately trained in remediating mold activity. They know how to contain the fungi properly, apply antimicrobial chemicals, and do correct mold prevention. Most pros use a sealer/encapsulant to protect the treated areas against water damage and future mold problems.
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Abc Can Keep Your Home Cool And Comfortable
Eliminating bad odors coming from your air conditioning unit can be a long, complicated process if you dont have the proper tools or expertise. When you contact ABC Home & Commercial Services about dirty sock syndrome, you can feel confident that our licensed specialists will be able to quickly determine the cause of the issue and then get to work on resolving the problem. In addition to AC repairs and maintenance, you can also rely on us for honest advice on when it may be time to replace your unit if your unit has reached the end of its lifespan or if the cost of continued repairs starts to approach the cost of a new unit.
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Can Mold In The Air Conditioner Make You Sick
Mold growing anywhere in the house is a cause for alarm and can damage your health and home. It can be especially bad for anyone with allergies or low immunity, such as children or older people.
Mold exposure can lead to inflammation through your airways and lungs. It can also worsen existing respiratory problems, shortness of breath, skin irritation, mold allergies, and asthma symptoms.
Some people can also experience rashes, itching, hives, runny noses, irritated eyes, and headaches. Less common symptoms of mold exposure can also include fatigue, nausea, and dizziness, with some reactions being life-threatening.
These symptoms usually start when a significant amount of mold is present in your home. Therefore, you must deal with mold at your earliest to avoid falling prey to these physical health symptoms.
What Causes Musty Smells From A Portable Air Conditioner
Musty smells from a portable air conditioner are almost always caused by the growth of mold, mildew, or bacteria.
So how do these things start growing in your air conditioner?
Air conditioners create water by removing moisture from the air. This moisture is from condensation that forms on the evaporator coil. As the air conditioner cools air, condensation forms on the evaporator coil and then drips off into a collection tank.
Water collected inside your air conditioner creates a humid, moist environment. The moist environment inside of your air conditioner is the perfect place for mold, mildew, and bacteria to grow.
But these organic substances cannot survive from only water. Dust, dirt, and particles provide food for organic growth inside your air conditioner.
As your air conditioner runs, dirt and dust accumulate inside of it. These particles come from the air stream that flows through the unit. Mold, mildew, and bacteria grow by consuming these particles within your air conditioners moist environment.
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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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The Smart Homeowners Checklist For A Mold
- Always ask for mold testing first. Professional mold removal and prevention services offer laboratory analysis of samples taken from air ducts. At times, the collection of dust and cobwebs can look like mold. The only way to confirm an infestation is to run a conclusive test.
- Get to know your HVAC system. Find out the primary material of your ductwork. It can be fiberglass, flex duct or metal sheet. The cleaning methods and the charges usually vary depending on the duct material type.
- The air duct cleaning services should always follow the National Air Duct Cleaning Associations standards for the procedure. They should use EPA registered/approved products and processes for the effective removal of mold.
- Ask for references and client testimonials from service providers. A reputed HVAC mold removal service provider should be able to provide more than enough satisfactory and genuine client reviews and recommendations from their previous stints.
- Request frequent and periodic inspection of ducts and vents to prevent mold buildup. Mold problems can be recurrent. Ask for professional HVAC tips that can help you keep your indoor air clean in the future. Services should include yearly inspection of the cooling and heating systems along with placement of moisture prevention systems within the HVAC.
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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.
Clean The Drain And Pan
Unscrew the condensate drain from the coupling at the drip pan with a wrench and remove the drip pan. Do not attempt to remove the pan if the housing is completely inside the unit. Clear any debris in the drain and pan. Pour some bleach or white vinegar into the pan and onto a rag. Clean the end of the drain with the rag and replace the pan. Wait a couple of days to see if the smell has dissipated.
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Find The Best Hvac Professional Services In Longmont Co
Even before you find mold in an AC unit, you should have a professional check and replace your air filters and clean your central AC unit. Then, they can come up with the best ways to keep your climatization clean and if needed, they can look into how to get mold out of air conditioner.
Blue Valley & Cooling has been the preferred provider of heating, cooling, and geothermal services for Longmont, CO, for over 30 years. We can repair residential heating and cooling systems.
Rely on us to help you solve all the issues you have with your AC unit, whether you need to clean mold out of your air conditioner, repair it, or need help preventing mold from growing in it.
You will find Blue Valley Heating and Cooling in Longmont, CO. We also provide services in these areas:
