Have Mold in Your AC Unit? Here's What You Can Do
If you notice a musty, stale scent throughout your home but don’t see any signs of mold, take a closer look at your AC system. In some cases, mold can begin to form inside of an AC system if the unit hasn’t been used for a while or if a leak has occurred.
When mold forms in your AC system, the spores from the fungus can get blown throughout your home and decrease your indoor air quality. Additionally, mold growth can also reduce the efficiency of your system and result in operational issues. As such, it’s important to rectify the issue as soon as possible. If you notice that you have mold in your AC unit, here’s what you can do.
Turn off the System
If you think mold has developed inside of your AC unit, the first step to getting rid of it is to turn your system off. Doing so will prevent any additional mold spores from getting blown around the air inside of your home.
Identify the Location of the Mold
Once you have shut the system off, you must locate the mold inside of your AC unit. To do so, you will need to disassemble the outer cabinet of your AC unit so that you can view the interior. Because mold can cause adverse health reactions such as respiratory issues, skin irritation, as well as worsen asthma symptoms, make sure to wear protective goggles, a face mask, and gloves to minimize your exposure.
Clean or Replace the Filter
Regardless of where the mold was located in your AC system, spores likely passed through the filter at some point. To rid your system of its mold outbreak and prevent it from returning, make sure to either clean or completely replace your AC system’s filter.
Vacuum the Interior
Upon removing the old AC filter, use a vacuum to suck up as much dirt and debris from the inside of the unit as possible. Getting rid of excess debris will then make it easier to remove any mold from the unit.
Scrub the Mold Away
After completing the above steps, it’s time to get scrubbing. Create a solution that consists of three gallons of hot water, a half cup of bleach, and one tablespoon of dish soap. Then, dip a sponge or cloth in the solution and use it to gently scrub any moldy areas of your AC unit. Once the mold has been removed, let the solution sit on the unit for around 10 minutes to kill any remaining spores before wiping it off with a fresh wet cloth. Lastly, let the AC unit air dry completely and then reassemble it. Upon doing so, your mold problem should be resolved.
We hope that this guide on what you can do if you have mold in your AC unit helps resolve your outbreak issue. However, if cleaning the unit doesn’t work, you may need to invest in a new AC system. At The Pioneer Mini Split Store, we provide industry-leading ductless and ducted split system HVACs. To find an ideal cooling system for your home, contact us today.
