Is your air conditioner a health hazard in your home?
That would be bad news for Arizona households. We cherish our air conditioners!
The summers in Arizona can be so hot, that life becomes unbearable without our trusty air conditioners. However, if you’re not careful, your air conditioner can cause more harm than good.
Mold infestation in air conditioners is very common in areas experiencing hot and humid climates. Not only is the musty odor irritating, but mold can also cause health problems in your home.
What causes mold in air conditioners?
Mold is a type of fungi that establishes colonies in hot and humid locations.
Air conditioners are common breeding grounds because of the condensation that takes place when warm air is cooled in the refrigerant lines. This moisture then mixes with dust, dirt, pollen grains, and other debris to create the perfect breeding ground for mold.
Please note that mold infestations are difficult to contain because spores are light and easily spread. Failure to do a thorough cleaning and a few spores can find their way to another corner and start a new colony.
Read more on air conditioner problems.
Symptoms of mold in air conditioners
Nothing can make up for a moldy air conditioner. No amount of air freshener can get rid of that musty air. It only gets worse when it happens at the central air conditioning unit and can easily be spread to other rooms.
Bathrooms and kitchen vents are more likely to host mold infestations because of the high humidity associated with these areas.
- Annoying musty smell, especially in the room closest to the air conditioning unit
- Sudden irritating sensation in the throat and nose when you’re indoors
- Allergic reactions triggered when you’re indoors.
- Fatigue and dizziness when you’re in the room
Please note: It’s not that easy to spot mold in air conditioner vents. It’s only visible when the infestation is in its severe stages.
Is air conditioner mold infestation deadly?
Mold infestations aren’t deadly, but they can negatively affect your health.
Either way, who wants to deal with watery eyes or a running nose when they’re peacefully relaxing in their living room? In addition to that, molds are gross and their odor is repulsive.
Simply put, you wouldn’t want molds anywhere near your house, especially if you have children or elderly people living there. Allergic reactions are easily triggered and can cause breathing difficulties for the inhabitants.
Mold is treated as a health concern by the EPA and the majority of homeowners in Arizona. Some research shows that molds release toxic VOC particles in our households.
Can you handle mold in your air conditioner?
Yes, but it won’t be an easy task.
You’ll have to get the necessary equipment to spot and address mold infestations. You’re advised to seek professional help if the area of infestation is more than 10 square feet.
In addition to that, mold infestations have a habit of resurfacing after containment. You need to be very thorough with your cleaning techniques and detergents.
Luckily, were here to provide you with the best technique to deal with mold in air conditioners.
Please note: This technique is best suited for single air conditioning units. You’ll have to seek professional cleaning services if you’re dealing with mold infestation in a system of vents.
How to clean mold infestations
These are the equipment you’ll need for this mission:
- A face mask to protect you from the spores and dust
- Rubber gloves
- Safety goggles to protect your eyes from dust and spills from the detergent
- Cleaning rags
- An EPA-approved detergent or a homemade mold cleaning solution
How to make a homemade mold cleaning solution
- Take a clean container and add one tablespoon of a strong surface detergent
- Add half a tablespoon of baking powder
- Finally, add one cup of clean water and stir the mixture
The cleaning process
1. Switch off your air conditioner and carefully dis-assemble the unit.
2. Slowly but firmly scrub the mold-infested surfaces using a cleaning rag dipped in the solution.
3. It’s better to cover a surface area that is larger than the infected spot. This will act as a preventive measure to stop the spreading of mold spores.
4. After a thorough cleaning, allow the components to dry up.
5. Assemble your unit and dispose of the dirty rags in trash bags.
This is a time-consuming process that will require you to pay attention to the task at hand. It’s advised that you also use EPA-certified growth inhibitors to prevent mold from resurfacing in the future.
We know it can be a bit difficult to deal with mold in air conditioners, especially with the hot and humid climate of Arizona. You can also consult your trusted professional cleaners on how you can best deal with this menace.
