Along with cleaning the coils to remove mold, you should regularly clean the coils to help remove dirt and debris. You can continue to apply the foam cleaner until the coils are completely clean. by Mold Homes October 26, 2019. Rohlin holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in English from Madonna University. These fins help direct air toward the coils and are easily bent. The mold spores may also exacerbate asthma and allergy symptoms. Cleaning the innards Use a vacuum cleaner and remove any dust and debris from inside the unit. Freshairguru.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Vacuum the fan motor or blower and blower motor area to remove any dust. However, do not apply too much pressure when scrubbing to avoid cracking a weakened coil. Vacuum any debris, dust and dirt off the condenser fins and grill with a vacuum cleaner or outdoor shop vac. Utilizing a professional AC maintenance service not only helps get the coils clean but also is an opportunity for an expert to inspect the unit and optimize its efficiency. If any pieces were bent during the cleaning process, reshape them. If you accidentally bend the air conditioner coil fins, you can bend them back into place with a fin comb. Also, mold in ... you may need to buy a special cleaner for mold that has accumulated on the air conditioner's coils. Ensure that you remove dirt from every crevice inside of the system. If you have a reusable filter, soak it in hot soapy water for 15 minutes, rinse it off and let it air dry. Let it sit for 15 minutes. … The moist mold can increase the corrosion of the copper coils, eventually resulting in a leak. Cleaning the mold from your air conditioner coils is only a temporary fix for getting rid of the mold. You can even experience mold growth in air conditioner coils and if this does not worry you, we don’t know what… 0 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email. Ensure that water does not come in contact with any of the electrical workings. Allow the solution to sit on these surfaces for approximately 10 minutes, then rinse with water and a damp cloth. However, cleaning out the unit to ensure that the mold is dead is slightly more difficult. It is rather problematic how molds spare no surface. 3) Clean Your Window AC a couple of times during the Cooling Season: if you reside in a hot climate, particularly one that's humid too, clean your AC at … Use a smaller brush or piece of cloth to clean the finer dust particles. So, the more air the coil catches, the better. How to clean air conditioner coils Cleaning your air conditioner coils helps maintain efficiency and extend the lifespan of your system so it’s important to … Remove the old furnace filter and replace with a new one. Zip Code. When using a liquid cleaner, you may need to pour the liquid on a rag and then wipe the coils clean by hand. Even when the condensation is properly drained, the constant dripping on the coils may eventually lead to mold growth, especially if mold spores are already traveling through your air ducts.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'freshairguru_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_11',116,'0','0'])); Excess moisture in your home can also promote mold growth that may spread to your AC system and other household appliances. The cold refrigerant cools the air and reduces its water content. Mold and mildew thrive in wet, dark environments. First, turn off the air conditioner and disconnect the power.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'freshairguru_com-box-4','ezslot_7',110,'0','0'])); If your central air conditioning system includes an outdoor condenser unit, you may want to clean the area surrounding the unit first. Wait one hour for the remaining no-rinse air conditioner cleaner to dry. Remove the grill slowly, as it may be attached to the fan that is used to cool the condenser coil. If the drip pan or drain line is not draining properly, you may end up with standing water. Be careful not to break the delicate pieces inside of the air conditioner.Continue by de-greasing the inside of the air conditioner. You can now clean the coils. (Photo courtesy of Angie's List member Chris O. of Orlando, Florida) Get quotes from up to 3 pros! If you are cleaning the coils after the air conditioner has already been running, put the unit in fan mode for about an hour in order to allow any condensed moisture on the evaporator coils to dry. In order to access the coils, use a screwdriver to remove the covering on the window air conditioner unit. Remove the unit from the window, using a screwdriver to remove the frame that secures it. How to clean air conditioner coils. If you smell mold when you turn your air conditioner on, definitely check for a damp, dirty filter. This is typically caused by the condensation from moisture generated during the cooling process. You can also help prevent mold from spreading on the air conditioner coils by using a mold inhibitor product. Run a fin comb down the fins of the air conditioner to straighten them. When the AC system is working properly, the air conditioning process should help eliminate moisture from the air. You may need to remove screws with a screwdriver or socket wrench to take off the access panel. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'freshairguru_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_12',118,'0','0'])); Notify me of follow-up comments by email. However, make sure that you put on a mask to protect yourself from the floating mold spores that you may disrupt during the cleaning.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'freshairguru_com-banner-1','ezslot_8',111,'0','0'])); Whether you are using a foam cleaner or a liquid spray cleaner, follow the instructions on the label to apply the cleaner to the coils. How to Protect Your Air Conditioner from Mold Growth. The exposure of mold can cause mold in air conditioner health risks, such as allergic reactions and respiratory disorders. After gathering the necessary tools and equipment, you should be ready to clean the mold from the coils. However, this can be tricky to accomplish. UV lights, for instance, have been found to be better applied to shine on the indoor coil, not to try to clean the air stream, particularly in residential and light commercial applications; air stream use requires intense UV saturation. After you finish cleaning the coils and any other parts that require cleaning, allow everything to dry completely. Clean the coil, as with replace your home air filter, to prevent the return of the slime from remaining microbes. That’s why it’s important that the coil’s empty spaces are free of debris that can impede the airflow. Killing mold on an A/C unit is not as difficult as you might think. You should also look for standing water, excess moisture, and any signs of a refrigerant leak. How To Clean Mold From Air Conditioner Coils Locate the Coils and Remove Access Panels. If mold is present on the backside of the panel, then spray some bleach directly onto it and scrub with a brush until it comes off. Evaporator Coils: Remove the front grill, use a brush attachment with a vacuum cleaner to clean up any dust or debris that has made it past the air filter. Use a flexible mop dipped in the bleach solution, then allow it to dry before you reattach the vent cover back in its place. Remove the grille and the filter from the front of the unit. Air conditioners work more efficiently when the evaporator and condenser coils or cooling fins are clean and the fins are straight. Then, scrub the area in circular motions to remove the mold. Unfortunately, people often don't realize they have mold in their air conditioners for quite a while. Exposure to mold may experience an inflammatory response to the mold, especially if you already suffer from asthma, allergies, or a weakened immune system.eval(ez_write_tag([[320,50],'freshairguru_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',108,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[320,50],'freshairguru_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',108,'0','1'])); You may experience coughing, throat irritation, nasal congestion, and sneezing. Harsh chemicals in fungicides can harm its delicate evaporator and condenser coils. Luckily, you can avoid these dangers by using the following steps to clean mold from the air conditioner coils. Make sure you clean coils at least once a year, twice if you are also using your HVAC system for heating. Using your brush and rags, clean the dust from the inside of the air conditioner system. Along with using your AC unit to remove moisture, you should deal with any leaks in your home. The indoor unit of your air conditioning system may also develop mold growth. As with the outdoor unit, it may be held in place with screws or fasteners. Make sure not to damage the sensitive fins around the copper coils. You may need to remove screws with a screwdriver or socket wrench in order to take off the access panel. Regular cleaning also allows you to inspect the coils for cracks and signs of leaks. Grasp the front grill and push it down and forward to release the spring clips. Let it sit for 15 minutes. For a deep clean, apply foam that is … The water vapors condense and drip over the evaporator coils into a drip pan or drain line. 8 Spray the evaporator coils with no-rinse air conditioner evaporator coil foaming cleaner. Mold in air conditioner units is particularly likely to cause illness, though, because every time you turn on the air conditioner, mold spores are blown out into the air, where they are easily inhaled. Another option is to use a coil fin comb to help reposition the fins.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'freshairguru_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_10',112,'0','0'])); The cleaning products that you use may not entirely remove the mold and debris from the coils. Without addressing the reason behind the mold growth, you will likely need to clean mold from the coils again in the future. Brush off any dust or dirt from the evaporator coils with a hand broom. This moisture from condensation creates the ideal environment for mold and mildew to grow. But over time, damp air can cause mold to grow. Save money and keep your house cooler by cleaning a room air conditioner yourself. Every air conditioner has two coils: An evaporator coil, which pulls heat out of the air in your house, and a condenser coil that pushes that heat into the air outside. The cleaners are typically available as a liquid or a foam. Remove the filter from the grill and replace it. This will dry out the inside of the air conditioner - and since the EPA reminds us, moisture management is the key to mold control.