Your air conditioner unit develops a relatively moist environment, which can make it prone to mold growth. This mold can then make its way throughout your home as it is blown through the ducts. Mold isn't just a nuisance, it can also affect breathing and pose a health hazard.
Mold may be present if you are smelling a musty or mildew-like odor each time the AC is turned on. You may also smell an odor similar to stinky socks, which happens when mold and bacteria are growing in the moisture on the AC unit. The following tips can help you remove and prevent mold in your AC system.
Tip #1: Increase filter replacement frequency
Mold often makes its way into the AC via the filter. Switch to a HEPA filter, which has smaller openings to help prevent mold infiltration. Then, increase your frequency of filter changes. For example, if you are changing the filter every couple of months, switch to monthly. This can help prevent a mold colony from establishing in the first place.
Tip #2: Clean the drip tray and hose
Your exterior AC unit may have a drip tray beneath it to catch any draining water. Sometimes water will collect in this tray and then turn moldy. The mold then infiltrates the AC. There is also a drainage hose attached to take away condensation, which can also suffer the same fate or even become blocked. Check the tray regularly and empty it if there is standing water, then wipe it out with diluted bleach. Detach the hose and rinse it out with a water rinse that contains diluted bleach. The bleach will kill any mold spores that were forming.
Tip #3: Schedule a duct cleaning
Mold often hides out in the ductwork, since these aren't areas that you can reach to clean easily. If you suspect mold in the ducts, schedule a duct cleaning. They will clean out any dust and mold buildup inside the ducts, and then treat them with a disinfectant that will kill any remaining mold spores. Unless you live in a damp climate, this isn't a task that needs to be done regularly. Every few years is probably sufficient.
For more help in battling mold in your AC unit, contact an AC repair contractor in your area. They can track down the cause of the mold, repair it, and take steps to prevent it from happening again. For more information, visit sites like http://www.pacaire.com.
Share11 October 2016
Does your air conditioner smell, make loads of extra noise, or fail to cool your home? If you have noticed any of these problems, there might be issues with your air conditioning unit. Fortunately, you don't have to let a bum system make your home stuffy and uncomfortable. Professional heating ventilation and air conditioning contractors can snap your AC unit into shape in no time. By carefully checking your condenser and evaluating your refrigerant levels, the experts might be able to dramatically improve the cooling capacity of your home unit. Read here to find out how to spot problems before they make your space uncomfortable.