How To Clean Mold Out Of Window Air Conditioner? A Must Read Guide

When it comes to window air conditioners, it’s important to know how to clean them properly. If you clean these devices incorrectly or irregularly, mold and other hazardous microorganisms may grow over time. In Arizona, you may want to know how long your unit is good for. When it comes to window air conditioning, it’s important to know how often to clean it and which cleaning agents are safe to use.

In this article, we’ll only be discussing window air conditioners. The following article has some cleaning suggestions for those who have a central air conditioner.

7 Benefits of Window Air Conditioners

1. Energy Savings

Studies show that window air conditioners use half the energy of central temperature control systems. The amount of energy utilized drops dramatically when a portable unit is used, but the money saved soars. What do you think? ENERGY STAR certified window air conditioners are the greatest option for further savings.

Conserving energy not only helps your wallet, but it’s also good for our home planet, too. Reduced use of energy means less of a contribution to global warming and less of a drain on the earth’s resources. Oil and coal are the primary fuels used in most power plants, resulting in pollution and other harm to the environment. Window air conditioners are a great way to help the environment without having to worry about dehydration in the summertime.

2. Simple Maintenance

Although it’s recommended that you perform maintenance on your central system no more than twice a year, I’m guessing that it isn’t your favorite time of year. You’ll have complete strangers in your house, ladders coming in and out, noise that you’d rather not hear, and so on and so forth. Because portable systems require relatively little maintenance, a thorough cleaning every few months or so usually suffices. Another benefit of doing it yourself is that, after all, if you installed it, I’m confident that you can clean it.

Manual labor, on the other hand, can be costly, particularly when it involves specialized activities. When you use a window air conditioner, you don’t have to worry about setting up a maintenance budget ahead of time. This is the ultimate do-it-yourself system.

3. Expert Installation

Thanks for your hard work, you’ve earned the title of expert. Installation does not necessitate any training or technical knowledge on your part. Everything is ready to go after you have a drop-down window that can be scaled to fit your device. If you’re looking for a little more guidance, a quick YouTube video is all you need. Install, mount, and set up your own air conditioning system in a matter of minutes.

4. Localized Cooling

In all likelihood, when it comes time for bed, you’ve set your thermostat at a setting that isn’t quite what you expected. Your pricey, yet inconvenient, system is to blame, regardless matter which one it is If you haven’t invested in a smart home device that allows you to control your heating and cooling from the comfort of your own home.

Window air conditioners do not require this. When setting up, all you have to think about is how much space you want to affect, then determine the specifics of what has to be included in the unit based on that information.

5. Renter Friendly

If you haven’t yet found a place to call home, you’re more than likely living in a rental. A fellow renter, I am well-versed in the pitfalls and perks of this lifestyle. To get rid of the mold on the shower tiles, the walls must be repainted in a once-normal hue, and the curtains must be replaced urgently. What if, though, you are fortunate enough to locate the ideal location? You may find the studio that ignites your creativity or the four-bedroom house with a yard great for your children and dog. Because the garage you’d like to utilize as a workshop is so hot, it’s the sole drawback.

Window air conditioners are easy to move around the house because they are small and light. For those of us who live in garages without windows, this may be an issue. Mounting your device to the wall should be a piece of cake if you have the right tools and the internet at your disposal. As a renter, moving out is inevitable, and with a portable system in the trunk of your car, there is no excuse to arrive at a new location without the certainty of comfortable temperature.

6. Dependable Size & Cost

When reading about window air conditioners, you keep hearing that they’re a convenient and inexpensive option. However, the overall price of the item you’re purchasing might be as little or as high as you like, depending on your preferences. You can choose the parameters of your portable system, rather than being forced to choose a system that is either too tiny or too large to adequately cool your master bedroom.

7. Noise Benefits

You’ve probably been to a hotel where the central air conditioning system resembles a traveling circus. If you’ve ever had a problem like this at home, then you know it’s time to call in the handyman. Window air conditioners have the potential to significantly reduce noise levels. In addition to the unit’s size, some can operate in sleep mode, allowing them to achieve the same temperature targets while operating more quietly.

How To Clean A Window Air Conditioner

In order to clean a window air conditioner, you must choose whether you are trying to get rid of a specific problem like mildew or merely want to clean the entire unit. Let’s have a look at both possibilities.

How To Clean A Window Air Conditioner For Mold

You need to deal with mold as soon as possible because of the health risks it poses. As a result, you and your family may unwittingly inhale the spores if they’re left to fester inside your air conditioner.

First things first: How did mold get into your air conditioner? Dust and moisture within your air conditioner can harbor spores if you don’t clean it regularly if you live in a humid climate. It just takes a matter of days for these little critters to evolve into a major problem.

How to remove mold from a window air conditioner

Gather the right protective gear.

Using an N-95 respirator mask while removing mold is a minimum requirement. You should also wear gloves and thoroughly clean any surfaces that come into contact with the spores, as well as your hands.

Unplug your window air conditioner and discharge the capacitor.

Your window air conditioner needs to be discharged whenever you want to undertake any internal maintenance. When you unplug the appliance, you may still feel a jolt of electricity in your body.

To avoid this, see your owner’s manual for your air conditioner. Capacitors can be identified by taking the side panel off and connecting their terminals with an insulated screwdriver. This causes a short circuit and releases electricity.

You must use a screwdriver with an insulated handle for this task. The alternative is that you will be stunned!

Ideally, remove your air conditioner from the window.

With window air conditioners, you may enjoy the convenience of moving your unit from room to room. This allows you to clean from a different angle. Because mold spores will not be circulating through your home, you may clean the air conditioner from the inside rather than allowing them to spread.

Typically, to remove a window air conditioner, you must first unplug it, then remove the front panel and carefully take the unit out. It’s also possible to gently push the air conditioner out if it’s located on the first floor of your home. Just make sure the unit lands on someplace squishy.

Don’t panic if you can’t remove your window air conditioner. Even if the next few steps are a little more difficult, you can still do them.

Remove your air conditioner’s front panel if you haven’t already.

To put it simply, certain air conditioners have a pressure-fit front panel (the one that faces inward when it is fitted). You’ll need to remove a few screws on some other models.

Remove anything that’s gotten damp.

Your filters and insulation will almost definitely need to be replaced. Moisture can readily seep into these components, which will lead to a repeat of this issue in the future. For reusable filters, warm and soapy water should be used to remove any residue. But if you can, and the mold problem is severe enough, it’s best to replace them.

An additional U-shaped metal cover may be laying on top of your air conditioner that you need to remove in order to gain access to these components.

Use a wet vacuum to pull any remaining moisture from the unit.

Make sure you don’t just replace your filters and call it a day. Mold will return if moisture is allowed to build up inside your air conditioner. A wet vacuum can help remove the water before you begin to clean the machine.

Spray your air conditioner’s interior with a dedicated mold cleaner.

See this post from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for additional details on mold removal. There are EPA-approved treatments that can safely remove mold from your air conditioner.

A foamy spray disinfectant is ideal since it can penetrate your air conditioner and find the spores. The bottle’s directions should be followed. The general rule of thumb is that you’ll need to spray the damaged regions and let them sit for around five minutes.

Use a brush and some warm water to scrub the affected areas of your air conditioner.

The mixture of mold and disinfectant spray can be harmful if inhaled, so use a mask and gloves. Mold likes to hide in the unit’s grille, so be sure to scrub it thoroughly.

Let your air conditioner dry for about 24 hours.

Make sure your air conditioner is completely dry before you start putting it back together. If you reside in a hot and sunny area like Phoenix, you may not need to wait a whole 24 hours, but it’s still a good idea.

Spray a mold inhibitor inside your air conditioner before reassembling it.

Goodway’s CoilShine-BC, an EPA-approved mold inhibitor, is a fantastic choice for two years of mold prevention.

Reassemble and reinstall your air conditioner.

Your air conditioner is finally back in position, and you’re all set! For the most part, this should be uncomplicated. Once the unit is assembled and in place, plug it back in.

How To Prevent Mold In A Window Air Conditioner

Mold growth can be greatly reduced if you use a mold inhibitor. You can prevent mold in a window air conditioner by following these guidelines.

Avoid Moisture Like The Plague

Mold and water go together like hiking and Camelback Mountain. Humidity control is a simple approach to avoid excess wetness. When it’s hot outside, it’s best not to leave the air conditioner running for long periods of time (such as when you go on vacation). Doing this tends to cause the unit to become filled with warm, damp air. Opt instead for ‘auto’ mode for your air conditioner.

Have Your Air Conditioner Serviced Regularly

Having your air conditioner checked out by a professional twice a year was the subject of this piece. As a result, you’ll be more prepared for any problems that arise in the future. Mold growth is a potential consequence of several of these problems, such as too much moisture or leaks.

You can rely on our air conditioning services in Phoenix to help you quickly identify and address these issues.

Clean Your Air Conditioner Regularly

Maintaining a dust- and debris-free air conditioner will reduce the amount of food available to mold spores. What’s the most efficient method for accomplishing that? You may extend the life of your air conditioner by performing routine maintenance rather than a deep clean every few months. In the following part, we’ll go over what you should do.

Day-To-Day Tips: How To Clean A Window Air Conditioner Without Removing It

If you’re dealing with a serious issue like mold, the actions we’ve discussed thus far are excellent, but you won’t want to repeat them every day. Window air conditioners may be cleaned without having to remove them.

Shut your air conditioner off and disconnect it from the wall.

Disconnecting the electricity is still necessary even if you aren’t going to open up the unit as much as you would for a thorough cleaning.

Remove the filter.

You may have to remove a front panel that is either pressure-fit or screwed in place in order to get to the filter in your air conditioner.

Soak your filter in warm, soapy water.

Wait for it to cool in a bucket or sink while you finish the rest of the process. A replacement for the air conditioner filter may be an option if yours isn’t beyond repair. Changing or cleaning your filter on a monthly basis is what we advise.

Spray your air conditioner with a 3% hydrogen peroxide mixture.

Spray the fins of the air conditioner, which tend to collect the most debris due to their position as the outermost parts of the system.

Use a soft brush to gently scrub the fins.

The fins might bend and disrupt airflow if you put too much pressure on them.

Let your air conditioner dry for a few hours before reassembling it.

Turning on the air conditioner only after spraying and washing is recommended by some experts. Just in case the electrical components became wet, it’s a good idea to let them air dry for a little while.

Check read our upcoming posts on “Different Types of Hot Water Tanks” and “How to Remove Nitrate from Well Water” for more information on air conditioning and water filtering.

How to Maintain an Air Conditioner

Filter

Remove the front grille once a month during the cooling season to clean or replace the filter. Maintain a more frequent schedule of filter cleaning or replacement if you reside in an especially polluted region. Almost all room air conditioners come with a washable sponge rubber filter.

Rinse the filter well after cleaning it with a solution of water and mild household detergent. Before reinstalling the filter, allow it to dry thoroughly. Throwaway filters, like those found in furnaces, can be found in some units. Replace the old filter with a new one of the same type when it becomes clogged.

Power Cord

The power cord that connects the air conditioner to the wall outlet may wear out and stop working. Remove the control panel to inspect the cord. Connect a test wire to the bare lead wires after unscrewing the cord terminals.

Using an RX1 scaled volt-ohm-milliampere (VOM), connect the plug’s prongs to the VOM clips. It is safe to assume that the cord is working if the meter shows a value of zero. Replace the cord if the meter shows a reading greater than zero.

Evaporator and Condenser Coils

Every month throughout the cooling season, clean the evaporator and condenser coils. The coils will need to be cleaned more frequently if you reside in a dusty location. These parts should be cleaned with a vacuum.

Straighten bent coil fins with a fin comb, which can be found at most appliance parts stores. Fin combs are made to fit into the nooks and crannies between the fins of an aquarium fish. The fins are composed of light-gauge aluminum, which can be readily destroyed if used incorrectly.

Switch

The unit is turned on by pressing the selector switch, which is positioned right behind the control panel. It’s possible that the switch is faulty if the air conditioner won’t function on any setting. Remove the control panel and locate the switch to fix the problem. Inspect the terminals of the switch for burned insulation or burn marks. The switch should be replaced if it shows any signs of burning.

To replace a screw-fastened switch, unscrew the old one and screw in the new one the same way. Call a specialist if you think the problem isn’t with the switch.

It is critical to keep the thermostat and drain ports on your window unit air-conditioning system in good working order. This will not be a tough or time-consuming task if you follow the instructions provided.

FAQs

How do you clean mold from air conditioner ducts?

It’s more difficult to get rid of mold from your central air conditioner’s ductwork than it is from a window unit. If the mold has grown to an area larger than 10 square feet, you should get your ducts inspected by a specialist. Your ducts will need to be cleaned out and the afflicted area removed.

What causes mold in your window air conditioner?

Mold is the result of a damp environment combined with dust and dirt. When the weather is damp and humid, it’s more common.

Is mold in a window air conditioner dangerous?

Moist conditions mixed with dirt and dust lead to the growth of mold. Where there is a lot of rain and humidity, this is a regular problem.

– tears in the eyes

coughing up a dry spit

skin rashes are a common problem

– a whistling sound

It’s easier for the mold in your air conditioner to get into your respiratory system while it’s flying through the air.

Conclusion

Follow the seven methods outlined above to rid your window air conditioner of mold. It would be beneficial if you took action as soon as possible.

In addition, you should become familiar with the mold’s growth process. As a result, you need to keep in mind the aforementioned facts.