Even if you don’t own one of the recalled models, the possibility of mold lurking in your air conditioner can be cause for concern as summer heats up.
How Does Mold Grow on Air Conditioners?
Air conditioner mold growth may be inevitable in some parts of the United States where the climate is often hot and humid, says Jordan Peccia, PhD, a professor of chemical and environmental engineering at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
“In humid areas like the eastern U.S., a lot of water will condense on the air-conditioning unit’s cooling coils and potentially get onto other components like the fans, so that’s where one would have the highest risk for mold growth,” says Dr. Peccia, an expert in molecular environmental biology who’s conducted research on fungal and bacterial growth on air-conditioning units.
How Can You Tell if There’s Mold in Your Air Conditioner?
- Discolored, fuzzy-looking, or slimy patches on a surface area
- Water staining or warping damage
- Musty odor
How Does Mold Make You Sick?
- Itchy, irritated, or watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Headache
- Sneezing
- Itchy skin, particularly around the nose, mouth, and lips
- Rashes
- Dizziness
How to Clean Up Mold From Your AC Unit
- Scrub clean and dry completely. Use a mixture of soap and water to wipe the affected surfaces, then ensure they’re dried completely.
- Check the AC unit manufacturer instructions. Depending on where the mold is located, keep in mind that you may need to safely disassemble some of the unit’s pieces according to the instruction manual — or consult a specialist.
- Protect yourself from additional exposure. Wear gloves, a mask, and goggles while cleaning to limit your exposure to mold — and check with a healthcare provider first if you have asthma or another underlying health condition that compromises your immune system.
Can You Prevent Mold From Growing Inside Your AC?
“The easiest way to keep your home air-conditioning unit free of mold growth is to drain away the water as much as you can, and install a better filter,” says Peccia. Better drainage will help keep the inside of the AC unit drier, he adds, which prevents a moldy environment.
- Keep up with filter maintenance. Replace air conditioner filters according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, typically every 60 to 90 days.
- Control humidity. Maintain indoor humidity levels below 60 percent, and use a dehumidifier if needed.
- Stay dust-free. Keep your home and space around the air conditioner dusted, and try an air purifier to remove excess particles and microbes from the area.
- Consider upgrading. Check the efficiency of your air conditioner’s air intake filter and upgrade to a higher-quality filter if needed. With a better filter, excess dust gets trapped and won’t be able to feed mold growth in the air conditioner — even if there is some moisture present, Peccia notes.
