Your air conditioner is one of the most critical appliances in your home, especially during the sweltering summer months. As with any other appliance in your home, it requires regular maintenance to remain in good working order. Window air conditioning units are particularly susceptible to mold growth, especially inside areas where it is dark and warm. This could be dangerous to your health if left untreated.
Mold growth in your window AC unit can be a significant cause for concern. The best way to avoid an issue is to prevent mold growth from the outset. Routine cleaning of your AC unit can help prevent this problem. Let’s discuss.
How to Clean Your Window AC Unit to Prevent Mold Growth
Cleaning mold in your AC simply requires a straightforward method. Let’s take a look at some easy steps you can take to keep your AC unit mold-free.
1. Wear a Mask
First of all, you should always wear a mask to avoid coming in contact with anything hazardous. You should also wear gloves when cleaning your AC unit if mold is present.
2. Turn Off the AC
While this may sound like an obvious point, make sure to unplug your AC unit to avoid safety hazards when beginning the cleaning process. You should also discharge the window air conditioner’s capacitor because it might have stored energy that can give you an electric shock.
3. Remove the AC Unit
The easiest way to clean your AC unit is to remove it from your window. This allows you to disassemble it and clean it most effectively. Remove any screws that are holding the unit in place using a screwdriver. After removing the unit from the window, place it securely on the floor to begin the actual cleaning process.
4. Remove the Filters
Now, it’s time to remove the filters. If filters are reusable, you can clean them with water and mild soap. If they are not reusable, you’ll need to replace the filters.
5. Cleaning the Filters
To clean the filters, fill your sink or bathtub with a few inches of warm water and mild dish soap to let the filters soak. For filthy filters, you can spray hydrogen peroxide and leave it for 15 minutes so that it seeps into each layer of your filter. Scrub both sides of the filter using the scrub brush. Once the filter is clean, hang it to dry.
6. Use a Vacuum to Remove all the Dust
Before you clean the inside of your device with any type of liquid, use a wet vacuum to remove any polluted water. Remove as much dirt and debris as possible from the unit’s interior. Wipe away any apparent mold growth using a cloth or a sponge.
7. Spray your AC Unit
Spray your air conditioner with your preferred mold cleaner and scrub any moldy spots you see. If the front grille of your air conditioner has mold or dirt, clean that as well. Allow 10 minutes for the solution to rest on these surfaces before rinsing with warm water and wiping with a wet towel. You can also apply a preventative mold treatment spray and follow the directions as instructed on the bottle.
8. Allow 24 Hours for Your Air Conditioner to Dry
Allow your air conditioner to dry completely before reassembling and reinstalling. This will ensure that there are no issues with how it works in the future.
9. Reinstall the AC Unit
Finally, it’s time to reinstall your AC system. Before plugging it back in, double-check that the AC Unit is returned to its original condition and in the right working position to avoid any issues.
Contact Performance Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning, Inc. for AC Repairs
If you need a reliable Pasadena air conditioning repair company, we’re here to help. Contact Performance Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning Inc. today to schedule an appointment.