If there is moisture damage in your air conditioning unit, get rid of it immediately by calling an HVAC technician.
A: There may be ways to clean out an old AC, but they're probably not worth doing unless you want to spend some time cleaning up the inside of your house.
A: You may have noticed that your air conditioning unit has had some odor lately. That could be because of dust and dirt in the coils. Or it might be something else entirely. If you suspect your AC unit is developing a problem, it's best to call a professional to inspect the system before things get out of hand.
RELATED: 14 Surprising Places Where Mold Hides in the Home
To successfully get rid of mold, you must first figure out where it's hiding. Then you'll need to take the proper measures to get rid of it.
Turn off your air conditioning unit to prevent mold spores from entering your home.
If you think there might be a problem with your air conditioning system, turn it off so any remaining spores won't spread throughout your house.
First, inspect the unit to see if there's any damage. If not, then check with the team again to determine the extent of
Unplug the device, remove the front panel, and pull out the air filter. Use a flashlight to examine the device's interior for any dust buildup indications, which could indicate an issue with the airflow through the system. Dust can also accumulate on the heating element and cause overheating problems. If you notice excessive amounts of dust, clean the entire device thoroughly.
If there's any mold growing inside the refrigerator, clean it up.
AC units differ in their assembly methods. Check your owner's manual for instructions on identifying and disseminating the exterior cabinet so you can access the inside. Before starting, assemble your equipment and wear a dust cover, safety glasses, and gloves.
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- Once you've removed the unit from the wall, use a screwdriver to loosen the screws holding the team to the wall. AC units are heavy; therefore, ask someone to assist you by taking the unit outside and placing it on a concrete surface (or) on a large piece of wood.
- Take off the grill and the air purifier's cover. Put them aside for now. Pour some boiling soapy (hot) tap-and-sink into the air purifier. Add approximately half a cup of household chlorine dioxide.
- Follow the instructions in your owner's manual for removing the front panel.
- Clean out the filter by vacuuming any dirt and debris that may be stuck there. Then use an attachment for the vacuum cleaner to suck up as much of the remaining particles as possible.
- To clean the gunk off the coils, spray them with commercial coil cleaner and allow them to sit for at least an hour.
- To clean the condenser coil, use a garden hoe to loosen any dirt or debris from the fins. Then, use a garden sprayer to wash away the cleaning fluid. If you need to rinse the unit, use a garden spray bottle instead. Avoid using water directly on the team itself.
- Fill a plastic container with several gallons of the hot tap-hot tap (not boiling) tap-tap (not scalding) tap-tap (do not use straight bleach) bleach.
- Soak a sponge in the cleaning solution and then wipe down the inside walls of the air conditioner using the wet sponge. The cleaning solution will kill any remaining molds.
- After spraying the filter that's been soaked in the water with the hose.
- After letting the device air-dry for at least 24 hours, carefully remove the back panel and reinstall the device in its original position.
To avoid future mold growth, take precautions.
If you've already experienced water damage due to condensation inside the air conditioning system, the chances are high that the problem will recur. To prevent this, clean the air conditioning system regularly by removing the grille and filter and vacuuming the interior.
Don't close your windows when the heat is on. When the outside temperature drops below 60°F, open your windows to let fresh, cool outdoor breezes into your living space. You'll save money on cooling bills and keep out the dust and pollen that can cause allergies.
Replace an old air conditioner that has been infested by mold.
Visible heavy mold means more mold is thriving in areas you cannot see or easily access, including behind the fans and inside the compressor housing. Do not attempt to clean the AC yourself. Alternatively, you could hire an expert to come out and check the unit to see if it can be adequately cleaned, but the consultation may cost thousands of dollars. Bottom line: It's unhealthy to breathe moldy indoor conditions, so if you can't effectively clean the unit, it should be purchased anew.
