HVAC 101: What Causes Mildew In Airconditioning Units?

If you want to have a nice air circulation in your home, you have to be knowledgeable about what causes mildew in airconditioning units. Thus, the key to prevention is obtaining enough information about what you are dealing with. 

Mold spores can be found almost anywhere. Unfortunately, eliminating all mold spores from your home is difficult, and even if you did, more would enter every time you opened a door or window. 

what causes mildew in airconditioning units

More spores are released as spores turn into mold, and these larger spore densities are what cause the health concerns connected with mold. As a result, the goal is to avoid mold growth in the first place.

 

Causes Of Mildew In Air Conditioning Units

Mold necessitates the presence of six different components in order to thrive. Mold cultures will not be able to take hold or flourish if a deficiency is missed in any situation.

If one or more factors are eliminated after mold colonization has occurred, they will kill the mold colony. 

Mold prevention begins with reducing or eliminating these factors. It’s also the approach for eradicating a mold colony that already exists.

 

1. Moisture

Mold cannot survive in the absence of moisture. All life needs water, and mold is no different.

Mold does not have a precise moisture content or humidity barrier below which it cannot thrive. 

It is determined by a combination of all factors. You can be sure there’s a possible mold nursery if it’s humid or even slightly damp.

The longer moist circumstances persist, the more likely mold will begin to form. The majority of mold in homes begins in places that are difficult to see. 

Moisture might be caused by high humidity, a leak, or a spill that has not been adequately cleaned up. The major causes to condensation are the condenser and evaporator coils, which can lead to water leaks if not adequately emptied.

 

2. Organic food source

Mold is a living organism that needs food to exist and proliferate. Outdoors, where flora and other organic elements flourish, food sources are virtually endless. 

Mold can be found in forests everywhere, from under ancient logs to tree trunks. It can be found in the soil and grass.

Mold can even be found on rocks. Your home, on the other hand, is a different story.

It’s also chock-full of moldy food that you wouldn’t expect to find. It thrives on microscopic quantities of dust and grime that are there regardless of how thoroughly you clean. 

Mold may receive sustenance from the air as well. Spores aren’t the only microorganisms found in the air that flows through your home and that you inhale. 

Mold can thrive on a variety of airborne particles, including dust and pollen. Other mold species’ spores can also be found in the air, which add to their diet.

The majority of the time, air conditioners and HVAC ducts are not conducive to mold growth. Mold cannot grow in sheet metal ducts or styrofoam channels inside window units. Nevertheless, dust frequently gathers in these areas, allowing mold to form.

 

Eliminating Mildew In Air Conditioning Units

Cleaning mold from an air conditioner can be tough and dirty, and the technique varies depending on the type of machine. The resources required to clean mold from car air conditioners, window air conditioners, and central air conditioners vary substantially. 

Regardless of what you’re cleaning, make sure the area is adequately ventilated and that you’re wearing non-porous gloves and a face mask with goggles, particularly if you’re allergic to mold. A home disinfectant and a cloth or sponge can be used to remove mold.

Mold can be removed without the use of bleach. If mold has grown on a porous surface like wood, plaster, carpet, or upholstery, it is unlikely that you will be able to completely remove the mold. 

It’s generally too late by the time you see little mold spots appearing on your window air conditioner’s air direction vanes or grate. You’ve only seen the top of the iceberg when it comes to mold. 

You can dismantle the unit and attempt to remove mold from the interior air ducts, coils, evaporators, and other components, but there’s still the possibility that you’ll miss some and the mold will simply grow back. A rotten window unit should be replaced as soon as possible.

Mold growth in your central air conditioning system’s ducts will almost probably necessitate professional intervention. To prevent mold from spreading, the EPA recommends turning off the system as soon as you see it. 

Vacuuming and cleaning the ducts will be required, which might become quite costly and difficult if the problem has extended throughout the entire system. Unlike fiberglass, plastic, or lined ducts, sheet metal ducts are significantly easier to clean. 

To kill or reduce mold in ductwork, the EPA does not advocate using biocides or surface cleaning. This will not serve as an aid in the problem you are dealing with. 

If you want a guide to follow, browse through these articles on why does my car ac smell like mildew and how to clean mildew from ac vents. So, you won’t have to worry about battling with mildews anymore. 

 

Conclusion

Knowing what causes mildew in airconditioning units guarantees half of the process of preventing mildew. So, you do not have to worry about dealing with it next time!

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