The appearance of mold in your window air conditioner usually means you have a problem somewhere, either in the unit itself, or the house. Mold appears as a result of a damp environment, so any place that’s subjected to excessive moisture is at risk. Check out and follow these tips for preventing mold in your AC. The best thing you can do to prevent the appearance of mold is to buy an air conditioner with humidity control. That way, the air conditioner will control the moisture level in the air, automatically discouraging the formation of mold. Most air conditioner units feature an “auto” mode, which is the best mode for it when not actively cooling. The most common mistake people make is that when leaving for vacations, they shut down the air conditioner unit completely, thus leaving the house with no air flow. Especially in the warmer months, moisture will build in the air without circulation, and temperatures will obviously rise in the absence of a cooling system. Warm, moist air is a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew.

The easiest way to avoid this is to allow the air conditioner to run on "auto" so it will continuously cycle the air inside the house even while you're not home. The insides of your air conditioning unit may be the perfect place for mold to appear. It’s dark, warm, and if not properly maintained, water may be present too, which will increase the chances of mold developing. Preventing mold from forming inside or outside of the air conditioner unit requires careful maintenance. spider plant and clean airClean it regularly and remove any signs of water or already formed mold you can find. benefits from air purifierRemember that mold can actually grow quickly and without your notice if you don’t conduct regular checks.electronic air cleaner for kitchen exhaust

Although this is not necessary as often as regular maintenance, a more thorough cleaning is an important step in mold prevention. Every once in a while, remove the metal cover of your air conditioner and reach for the motor. Carefully clean it as well as you can, and add some oil to each. Use clean motor oil and get the parts lubricated, but be careful not to add too much, as it this is just as bad as adding too little. Dust also helps mold form up in and near your air conditioner, so getting rid of any dust is highly advisable. The most comfortable way of doing this is to use a vacuum cleaner to draw the dust from the air conditioner. It’s an easy job, but it is very important in mold prevention. Follow these five tips and you should have no problems with mold. Overlook them, and you might end up in need of a specialist to remove extensive and dangerous mold growth. The choice is yours.Mold in HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems can lead to serious health problems.

Every time the furnace or air conditioner is turned on, hundreds of thousands of microscopic mold spores blow out of the air ducts and circulate through the air, where they are easily inhaled. Mold in duct work can lead to numerous health problems, including coughing, sneezing, wheezing, shortness of breath, sore throats, headaches, asthma attacks, bronchitis and pneumonia. You should suspect mold in your HVAC system if you smell a musty odor in your home, especially if you smell it in more than one room or if it’s particularly noticeable when your furnace or air conditioner is running, but you don’t see mold anywhere. You should also consider the possibility of mold in your HVAC system if you find mold in several different rooms, since mold spreads easily through duct work.The only way to know for sure if there is mold in your HVAC system, though, is to have your system tested for the presence of mold. Follow this link for a list of professionals in your area that can test your system for mold.

There are a number of techniques used to remove mold from duct work. Manual or mechanical brushes can be used to loosen mold growing in the air ducts. Blowguns, air skippers or air whips can be used to drive mold and other debris from the ducts into collection devices. Vacuums with HEPA filters are also used to remove mold from duct work. Chemical biocides may be used to kill any mold remaining in the HVAC system. Negative pressure is often set up in the work area to prevent mold spores from drifting to other areas of the home. Special techniques and equipment must be used if duct work is made of fiber glass duct board or insulated with fiber glass duct liner, in order to prevent damage to the ducts. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends hiring a professional to remove mold from air ducts. That’s because special equipment is needed that the average homeowner doesn’t have lying around the garage, because it’s difficult to access all parts of the HVAC system, because duct work can be damaged if it’s not cleaned properly, and because if any mold is missed it can quickly spread throughout the system and that can lead to serious health problems for those living in the home.

While a homeowner with basic handyman skills can successfully tackle many mold removal jobs, we recommend against trying to remove mold from your duct work unless you have professional training in the field. If you’ve got mold in your HVAC system, you need a professional to take care of it and make your home safe for you and your family. Look for a professional that complies with the standards established by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association. If your duct work is made of fiber glass duct board or insulated with fiber glass duct liner, look for a professional that also complies with the standards established by the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association. Many professionals will come to your home for a free consultation, inspect your duct work and any other areas of mold, and provide a written estimate detailing the work that needs to be done and the cost. Follow this link for a list of qualified professionals that can remove mold in HVAC systems in your area.