5 Tips for Preventing Window Air Conditioner Mold

The appearance of mold in your window air conditioner usually means you have a problem somewhere, either in the unit itself, or the house. Mold appears as a result of moisture, so every place that’s subjected to excessive moisture is at risk of developing mold.

Tip 1 – Keep the Moisture Under Control

The best thing you can do to prevent the appearance of mold is to buy an air conditioner with humidity control. That way, the air conditioner will control the moisture level in the air, automatically discouraging the formation of mold.

Tip 2 – Never Stop the Air Conditioner

Most air conditioner units feature an “auto” mode, which is the best mode for it when not in use. The most common mistake people make is that when leaving for vacations, they shut down the air conditioner unit completely, thus leaving the house with no air flow, which most probably will lead to the appearance of mold. The easiest way to avoid that is to set the air conditioner on “auto” when leaving or not in use, so it will permanently cycle the air inside the house and keep it fresh.

Tip 3 – Regular Maintenance of the Air Conditioner

The insides of your air conditioner unit may be the perfect place for mold to appear. It’s dark, warm, and if not properly maintained, water may be present too, which will increase the chances of mold developing. Preventing mold from forming inside or outside of the air conditioner unit requires careful maintenance. Clean it regularly and remove any signs of water or already formed mold you can find. Remember that if water is present, the formation of mold is much more likley and will occur quickly if not spotted and cleaned in time.

Tip 4 – Deeper Maintenance of the Air Conditioner

Although this is not necessary as often as regular maintenance, a more thorough cleaning is an important step in mold prevention. Every once in a while, remove the metal cover of your air conditioner and reach for the motor. Carefully clean it as well as you can, and add some oil to each end of the motor. Use clean motor oil and get the parts lubricated, but be careful not to add too much, as it would be as bad as adding too little.

Tip 5 – Dust is an Enemy

Dust also helps mold form up in and near your air conditioner, so getting rid of any dust is highly advisable. The most comfortable way of doing this is to use a vacuum cleaner to draw the dust from the air conditioner. It’s an easy job, but it is very important in mold prevention.

Follow these 5 tips and you should have no problems with mold. Overlook them, and you might end up in need of a specialist to remove extensive and dangerous mold. The choice is yours.