The air conditioner is one of the worst places where mold can grow. Mold in your air conditioner can pose several health risks and cause extensive damage to the equipment.
While it may not always be dangerous, it’s something you want to get rid of. Moreover, to prevent further growth, you should clean it out as soon as you suspect mold is present in your AC unit.
But how does mold get into the air conditioner, and what can you do to keep it from coming back? Let’s get into the details!
How Does Mold Get Inside Your Air Conditioner?
Mold thrives in moist, warm, and dark places. The inside of your air conditioner is exactly that, especially when you aren’t using it regularly.
To explain it better, let’s look at these 3 key ingredients that provide a perfect environment for mold growth:
Temperature
These temperatures, when combined with high humidity levels, can promote the growth of mold. Moreover, temperature differences inside your home also add to the problem.
Moisture
As a part of its normal operating cycle, the air conditioner removes moisture from indoor air. While this does make your home’s climate more comfortable, it can also lead to moisture condensation as air passes through the air conditioner.
If you notice any leaks around your air conditioner, fix them immediately to prevent the spread of mold.
It may get worse if your home has high humidity levels. It is recommended to keep these levels below 50% to avoid mold growth.
Nutrients
Mold needs organic matter to feed on, which can come in the form of dust, skin, pollen, or any other indoor air pollutants in your home. Most of these pollutants can get through air filters and accumulate in the ducts or other components, facilitating mold growth.
Other common air conditioner problems can also exacerbate mold and mildew problems in air conditioners. For example, clogged condensate drains cause water to back up in the unit and leads to mold infestation.
In addition, water droplets tend to collect in the air handler or ducts whenever the HVAC system is not in use for a long period of time. This added moisture and organic matter like dust or skin particles in the air can provide ideal conditions for mold to grow.
