How to Get Rid of Mold in Air Conditioning Systems

Keep your air conditioning clean.

Air conditioning is a vital part of any home. It's also a breeding ground for mold. Mostly this is because any air conditioning system will have condensation somewhere in the system, which gets trapped in filters and can grow if systems are not used for long periods of time. Fortunately, cleaning your air conditioning system is something just about anyone can do on a yearly basis.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Rags or paper towels
• Disinfectant
• Shop vacuum with dusting attachments
• Replacement filters
• Coil cleaner
• Wire brush

Instructions

1. Turn off the air conditioning unit. Drain any water from the inside of the unit let it dry out for four hours. Vacuum the outside of the air conditioner completely once dry, removing all visible dust. Wipe down the outside vents with disinfectant. Locate the screws on the top of the unit and remove them, lifting the cover carefully away. Vacuum the underside of the cover and inside of the unit.

2. Locate the filters in the system. Slide the filters out of their brackets, and clean the brackets with disinfectant. Spray any reusable filters with disinfectant, and soak them in hot water to sterilize them. Dry the filters and replace them in the unit. Replace any disposable filters.

3. Locate the fan blades in the system. Remove the fan blades by removing the screw in the central shaft, and lifting the blade out carefully. Spray the disinfectant onto a rag and wipe each blade carefully, taking care not to bend them. If you do bend them, try to fix the bend by hand, using only gentle force. Vacuum out any dust in the fan area with the shop vacuum.

4. Spray the coils with coil cleaner and scrub them with the wire brush. Replace all parts you've removed, and restart the system. Spray disinfectant into the filter intake and run the system to spread the disinfectant through the unit.

Tips & Warnings

• Research your unit before cleaning. Consult the owner's manual if possible. Use disinfectants specially designed to clean air-conditioning units.

• Always shut down the system completely before doing any work on it, no matter how minor. If you are uncomfortable with any aspect of cleaning your air conditioner, do not attempt to do so.

References

• Allergy Details: How to Clean An Air Conditioner and Remove Mold
• 411 Home Repair: Getting the Most Out Of Your Air Conditioning

Resources

• State of Florida: Indoor Air Quality Guide to Indoor Mold