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Mold in Air Conditioners: Causes, Dangers & Prevention Tips

mold in air conditioner

Molds are microbial infestations that can occur in damp places. Warm, moist areas inside your air conditioner are suitable targets for mold to grow. If you don’t maintain your ac system, dust in the filters and vents can cause mold to grow. This is a serious threat to the ac unit.

Not only mold growth can hamper your internal ac components, it will also pose safety hazards. So, it is necessary to learn about the causes of mold growth so that you can take the necessary steps to prevent mold growth.

How does mold grow in air conditioners?

Anyone should be aware of the fact that mold grows in dark, warm, and moist areas. Then how can mold grow in air conditioners when it apparently seems a dry place? This is because the inside of an air conditioner has a vastly different environment than the external part. Below, I list some of the causes of mold growth inside an air conditioner:

Buildup of moisture 

Air conditioners release cool air by removing moisture from the air. If you do not drain this moisture properly, it can deposit in the unit. Your room windows are more prone to mold growth because of their less effective drainage system.

Dust and debris accumulation 

Over time, air conditioning units collect dust, dirt, and other particles from the air. This buildup happens mainly in the filters, coils, and ducts. These particles can serve as a food source for mold. When these particles mix with moisture, it speeds up the process of mold growth.

Poor Ventilation

Inadequate ventilation can intensify the accumulation of moisture and humidity levels in an air conditioning system. It’s crucial to maintain airflow to keep the AC unit’s internal parts dry and minimize the risk of mold development. When the ventilation is insufficient, the stagnant air can enable mold spores to deposit and multiply.

Signs of mold in ac unit

Musty smells

The most prominent sign of mold in air conditioner is a musty smell around your house. If you cannot detect any other source of that funky smell, it is evident that your ac has mold outside.

Visible evidence like fuzzy patches or black dust

You can wonder what is black stuff from air conditioners blowing off. This is from the mold spores and mildew growth.

Also, you can see black dust particles if there is black mold in air conditioner. Mold and mildew are small but can cause fuzzy patches in various places. You might find them in vents, air filters, drip pans, or evaporator coils. These patches can be different colors.

Health problems

Mold in your air conditioner can lead to health issues. These issues include coughing, wheezing, and skin irritation. You may also experience mouth irritation, a stuffy nose, and other allergic reactions.

Mold and mildew have microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs), which can cause inflammation of the nose, mouth, or throat. If you or your residents have health symptoms when the air conditioner is on, call for a mold inspection right away.

What are the cures for mold in your air conditioner?

Disinfection of the unit

EPA-approved disinfection used by HVAC maintenance services will eliminate the possible ways of mold development in your ac. You should disinfect the air conditioner, its ductwork, and the ventilation system more often.

Replacing or cleaning air filters

The US Department of Energy says to change air filters every two months. This helps reduce dust and dirt buildup. This will also reduce the risk of mold and mildew development as well.

Keeping air ducts clean and dry

HVAC air ducts are prone to holding a lot of moisture. We all know that moist places are the ideal environment for mold development.

Keeping the ductwork dry and clean is important. If you find any damaged parts, replace them. This helps improve air quality.

UV light installation

Having an UV light installed surrounding your HVAC system will kill any microbes or mold. Thus, they will prevent future mold or bacterial development.

Clean registers

Routinely clean the registers of your ac to prevent excess debris accumulation in the ductwork. Clean registers and ductwork will ensure proper airflow with no room for excess moisture and mold growth.

When to go for professional help?

Mold and mildew growth is not considered an HVAC emergency but it is a serious safety hazards. Cleaning of minor mold infestations can be a DIY job for mini-split systems. If you have central air conditioning, HVAC experts should handle and remove mold problems. If you suspect that black mold infests your AC unit, you should hire a professional technician.

The most dangerous kind of mold is black mold, and it can destroy your ac unit gradually. Also, it can pose serious health threats like respiratory issues and asthma attacks. For this, you need professional HVAC cleaning.

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