How Your AC Unit Might Secretly Be Making You Sick (& How To Put A Stop To It)

Air conditioners are essential equipment in summer heat waves. However, a hidden downside of air conditioning is the allergens (pet dander and dust) and mold (and related microbes) that may be entering your home through the system. These contaminants — mold, in particular — contribute to poor indoor air quality, which can make you sick. Once you have identified the presence of mold, you can clean it up, and you can prevent re-growth with regular AC system maintenance.

Some of the health problems caused by mold exposure include respiratory issues, headaches, congestion, fatigue, and increased respiratory infections. For your family's health and comfort, it is important to identify mold in your home and get rid of it for good. For example, signs of mold in the air conditioner include noticing a musty odor in the house, increased respiratory issues, and black spots or visible growth around the vents and louvers when the problem begins to spread through the system.

Although any air conditioning system can host a mold infestation, window units are the biggest culprit. Window AC units are often not installed correctly, may have drainage issues, and may not be maintained as well as central air conditioners. To prevent mold growth and ensure indoor air quality, it is important to know how to clean a window AC unit to prep it for the summer season.

If you have identified a potential mold problem in your AC, you likely wondering what to do about it. You can eliminate the growth and prevent future infestations by regularly cleaning and maintaining your unit. The right way to address the growth of mold in your air conditioner depends on how much is present. For machines with small contaminations, you can clean the unit to eliminate mold. Bigger AC systems or large contaminations may require a professional deep clean or you may even have to replace the unit. Scheduling regular preventative maintenance for your air conditioning system is the best way to prevent future mold growth.

Vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide can be used to kill mold. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which works by disrupting the pH balance of mold. Allow vinegar at a 10% concentration to sit on the affected area for an hour before rinsing it off. You can also clean the inside of your air conditioner with hydrogen peroxide for peak performance. It is a disinfectant with antimicrobial properties that has been shown to kill mold on solid surfaces. Use 3% hydrogen peroxide and spray or pour it on the surface. Allow it to sit on the surface for about 10 minutes. Then, scrub the mold with a soft brush or rag and wipe the surface again with a clean cloth.