What Kind Of Mold Grows In Window Air Conditioners?

Why Does Mold Grow In Window Air Conditioners?

There are several reasons why your window unit may be growing mold. As your air conditioner compresses the air, it forms water as a byproduct. That water is then supposed to flow out of your air conditioner. However, sometimes, the water becomes stagnant and results in mold growth.

The Four Common Types of Mold

Mucor

Mucor is an allergenic form of mold that is commonly found within HVAC systems and carpets. This particular kind is formed due to moisture from condensation. That means this grey-colored mold loves the inside of your air conditioner.

Also, Mucor is known to cause significant respiratory distress. This is true, especially for individuals with pre-existing breathing problems. Although rare, people have had issues such as:

Acremonium

Acremonium is a toxigenic type of mold commonly found in air conditioners, humidifiers, drain pans, and window sealants. It is typically formed anywhere you can find condensation, and it’s highly dangerous.

Acremonium will present as pink, orange, white, or grey, and the appearance will change over time. Eventually, it will become a cloud of fine dust that is easy to blow through your window unit’s vents.

Exposure to acremonium can lead to:

Fusarium

Fusarium is a toxigenic mold that thrives in colder climates. Yes, this makes your air conditioner the perfect environment for this type of fungus. The difference between Fusarium and the others is that it spreads very quickly.

This mold is usually pink, white, or red, and causes many different health issues. Upon exposure to Fusarium, one can experience many various health problems, including:

Alternaria

Alternaria is an allergenic mold that is the least threatening to humans and pets. It is usually green or brown with hairs and loves moisture. This mold is the most common type of mold found in your house.

When someone is exposed to Alternaria, they will experience:

What sets this particular mold apart from the others is its ability to destroy. It will destroy your air conditioner and anything else that it comes into contact with if it’s not immediately removed.

What To Do If You Find Mold In Your Window Air Conditioner

Step 1: Remove Your Air Conditioner

If you suspect mold growing in your air conditioner, turn it off. You want to stop the potential mold from spreading throughout your home any more than it already has. Once you turn it off, unplug it and remove it from the window.

Step 2: Check For Mold

Next, you’ll need to check for mold. It’s a good idea to have a dust face mask, gloves, and goggles during the rest of this process.

Remove the front grill on your window unit and the inside filter. Look inside with a flashlight. If you see clusters of green and brown or any streaking, you may have a mold problem. If the mold is covering more than 1/3 of the inside, you will need to replace your unit.

Step 3: Disassemble Your Unit

If you see that there isn’t too much mold in your unit, you can clean it. Check the manual for the manufacturers’ instructions. Figure out how to disassemble it to access the interior walls.

Step 4: Soak Your Filter

You will want to take your filter and place it is hot, soapy water with ½ cup of bleach. Let this soak while you are cleaning the rest of your air conditioner. The bleach will kill the mold, and the soap will clean your filter.

Step 5: Clean The Mold

Next, you need to vacuum out the mold from your unit. Use a nozzle attachment to decrease the spread of particles.

Spray your coils with coil cleaner. The cleaner will dissolve anything that is on the coils, including mold. After you let it sit for a little bit, wash it off outside with a garden hose. Try not to spray your control panel or the area where your electrical cord connects.

Step 6: Bleach The Unit

Fill a bucket up with 2-3 gallons of hot water and ½ cup of bleach. Take a sponge and clean the interior of your unit with this mixture. The bleach will help to kill any residual mold that’s leftover after spraying.

Step 7: Rinse The Filter

Take your filter and rinse it off with the garden hose. Any debris that was on your screen should come right off. If it doesn’t, you may need to buy a replacement.

Step 8: Air Dry

Let your unit completely air dry before reinstalling it into your window. This can take up to 48 hours in total. You do not want to reinstall it even if it’s mostly dry. It needs to be 100% dry; otherwise, you will be dealing with the regrowth.

Preventing Mold Growth In Your Window Unit

If you’ve already had a mold issue, it’s bound to happen again. It’s nearly impossible to remove 100% of the spores because you can’t access all inner workings. However, you can remove the grill frequently to vacuum out the dust.

If you keep the dust from settling, it won’t give the mold a chance to grow. This is also a great way to prevent mold problems before you get them. Make sure you vacuum out your unit at least once a month.

Correct Installation

Your window unit should tip towards the outside of your window. The water byproduct is supposed to drip out of the drain-hole from the back. If your unit is not installed correctly, the water can drip inside, or become stagnant.

Proper Storage

During fall and winter, make sure you store your air conditioner properly. Set it in a place where water will not have access to it. Also, you can cover it with plastic wrap, or tarp as an extra precaution. This way, mold is less likely to creep into your window unit when it is not in use.

Regular Cleaning

If you’ve had mold in your air conditioning unit previously, there’s an increased risk that it will return. A presence of dust inside the unit creates the ideal situation for mold spores to adhere and grow. To prevent dust from settling, remove both the grille and filter every couple weeks and vacuum the interior.

Filter Care

When you clean the filter, it needs to be washed. After washing, it will need to air dry completely before you replace it. If it isn’t completely dry, you run the risk of mold spores.

Final Thoughts