How to Get Rid of Mold in an AC Unit
An air conditioning unit helps you get through the summer successfully. However, it can be dangerous for you and your family when mold develops in it. Here are ways you get rid of mold in an AC unit.
If you’ve been wondering, “Do I have mold in my air conditioner?” You’re not alone. Finding mold in an AC unit is challenging for many homeowners, especially during summer. It’s not only the air conditioner unit that can develop mold. When you have mold in central air conditioner it poses a lot of risk to the household, and it’s usually hard to spot them. An expert hvac contractor usually removes mold from your central AC unit.
Let’s discuss how to tell if your air conditioner has mold and how to get mold out of an air conditioner.
Mold in Air Conditioner Symptoms, Causes, and Problems
Mold or dust in an air conditioner can be hard to spot because of the nature of the machine. However, there are ways you can detect if there is mold in your central air conditioner. Read on to learn about the most common ones.
The Smell of Mildew
When you are looking for how to clean mold out of air conditioner, there are a few first steps to undertake. Detecting smell is one of them. When you can smell a strong, musty odor in some rooms in the house, it might be mold growth in your air conditioner. You can trust your nose and do the sniffing test.
Allergic Reactions
If any of your family members are experiencing breathing problems or an increase in allergic reactions not from food but just by being in the house, it might be the mold in your air conditioner. You will see them frequently coughing, sneezing, or having red, itchy eyes. These reactions are some of the most common mold in AC unit symptoms, so if you notice them, it is time to check if mold is growing there.
Fungus Patches on the Air Vents
One of the obvious signs of mold growth in the air conditioner is the sight of black molds on the vent of your air conditioner. These black patches can spread mold spores in your home without you knowing. Black mold in AC unit symptoms include itchy skin and other allergic reactions. These fungus patches are dangerous and require immediate AC mold cleaning.
Fatigue and Headache
Perhaps you don’t associate the constant headache and fatigue with an air conditioner in your home. But people who live or work near old rusty air conditioners may have headaches and fatigue. You realize you feel better the moment you leave the room.
One of the easiest ways to clean mold out of an air conditioner is to increase the central AC unit’s temperature and call a professional HVAC service provider.
Understanding What Causes Mold in an Air Conditioner
Mold, like any fungus, needs an ideal environment to thrive, and the inside of your air conditioner has all these conditions present. What are these conditions? A dark, warm place with moisture. It’s essential to understand what causes mold in an air conditioner, and most importantly, how to clean mold out of an air conditioner.
A humid environment with poor ventilation can help the growth of mold in any area, including the air conditioner in your home. Your central AC unit contains a lot of moisture from all the dehumidification of the room, which can promote the growth of mold. It’s important to keep an eye out for mold and to learn how to clean mold from a central AC unit should you find any growth there.
Another cause of mold growth is setting your air conditioner at a low temperature. If there are leaks from the roof, that can also lead to mold growth in your air conditioner.
How to Keep Mold from Growing in an Air Conditioner
Mold thrives in an environment abundant in moisture and warm. You can implement a few methods to prevent mold growth in your AC unit.
Use quality air filters: Using a clean air filter will help prevent mold from growing in your air conditioner. It is vital to clean and replace your air filters regularly. You should always seek the advice and service of a professional in replacing your air filters.
Clean the drip pan regularly: The drip pan collects water, and so if it’s not cleaned, it has all the conditions for mold growth. Cleaning and keeping the pan dry can help prevent the growth of mold.
Regular inspection of air ducts: Air ducts are closed, making it challenging to see what is happening inside. It’s understandable to wonder, “How can I tell if there is mold in my air ducts?” Not knowing the answer to this question can make the growth of mold go unnoticed for months. It’s critical to take a regular look inside the air ducts, which can help you spot any mold growing. If you find some, you need to learn how to remove mold from the air conditioner ducts immediately.
Maintain the humidity level in your home: Humidity, as you know, is a significant factor in the development of mold in your AC unit. You can maintain the humidity in your home by buying a humidity control. It controls the humidity level in your room, preventing mold growth.
How to Get Mold Out of an AC Unit – Hire an Expert
It is essential to hire an expert to remove mold in the central air conditioner unit. Cleaning the central air conditioner unit can cause further damage unless you are a trained HVAC professional. Hiring a professional will save you money and time.
However, if it is a small mold growth you want to get out of the central AC unit, you can do so by following the steps.
- Wear goggles, a face mask, and gloves to avoid exposure to the mold
- Take the unit to a well-ventilated space
- Open the AC unit and remove the air filter
- If the filter is washable, remove all the dust and any mold
- Soak it in water for about 15 to 20 minutes
- Vacuum out the dust and debris from the inside of the air conditioner
- Allow the unit to air dry thoroughly, then reassemble them and reinstall them in the window
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:
Stop by one of our offices or give us a call today! 1st July 2022
