How to tell if your air conditioner has mold (and what to do about it)

Air conditioning makes life much easier when the weather is hot. However, if your AC unit is not properly maintained, not functioning properly, or has not been used for a long period of time, Environment where mold can grow.

For mold cause or exacerbate various health problemsYou don’t want to have it anywhere in your home, especially with appliances that exhaust air. Here’s how to tell if your air conditioner has mold and what to do if it does.

Signs of mold in your air conditioner

Unless you have visible mold on the outside of your A/C unit (like the one pictured above), it’s not always easy to tell if you have mold. Often the first thing people notice is a musty smell that is only present when the air conditioner is on.

Another potential sign is a family member experiencing new or worsening respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or frequent headaches or sore throats. (It’s not a clear sign, given that there are several different reasons these symptoms can start or worsen.)

How to identify mold in an air conditioner

Before doing any tests that may contain mold, it is recommended that you first wear a face mask to avoid inhaling it.

type above or in the air conditioner It can be black, brown, green, white, pink, yellow, or orange. It can also appear as black dust that has accumulated around it. ventilation holes.

Even if you can’t see the mold from the outside of your AC unit, it could be inside.Here it is Confirmation method:

window, wall or freestanding unit

Unplug the AC unit and remove the front or back grill to gain access to the filters. Remove the filter and look for dirt (especially brown, black, and greenish haze) or white or grayish powder (mildew). If you can’t see anything, use a flashlight to look inside for signs of mold.

central air conditioning unit

Do not try to disassemble anything yourself. Instead, shine a flashlight inside the unit and check the fans, air ducts, and supply openings for the above signs of mold. Also, be sure to check your entire external AC unit, including the tight spots next to your house.

What to do if there is mold in the air conditioner

If your air conditioner is (or suspected to be) moldy, the first thing you should do is stop using it. US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This means either keep the window unit switched off or he does not run the HVAC system if there is central air. The EPA explains that this is because continued use of a contaminated air conditioner can spread mold throughout your home.

If a window, wall-mounted, or free-standing unit has a significant amount of mold, unfortunately the safest bet is to remove it. If not, replace the filter or try to clean itHere’s how.

debtFirst, put on your face mask, gloves, and eye protection (if you’re not already wearing one) and remove your filters. Next, use a soft-bristle brush (which you can discard later) to remove any debris or visible mildew from the filter. Next, mix a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water and submerge the filter completely in it for at least 10 minutes. Then rinse the filter with clean water and let it air dry.

If you find mold in your central air conditioning unit, it’s time to call the experts. This is not something you can handle yourself.