Watch out for mold when putting in your window AC for the summer
“Air conditioners are a godsend during the hot and humid days of summer. For those who haul out a window unit each spring, Consumer Reports has some warnings: That window unit might be harboring mold and other irritants.
Without proper care and maintenance, mold can grow on the inside, which has the potential to lead to health problems such as wheezing, congestion, and throat irritation.
Homeowners should regularly examine their air conditioners, watching for clusters of tiny black spots along the air duct. Cleaning the louvers is a good first step, and if mold is evident on the louvers, there’s a good chance more is hiding inside the air conditioner. If so, Consumer Reports recommends buying a new one.”
Read more on this story here.
Of course, one way to not stress out about bringing mold into your home from a window air conditioner is to have a whole-house system. Those still need to be maintained too. However, since these units are outside they’re less prone to grow mold rather than a window unit stored inside a dark and damp area. The upfront investment of a whole-house system will be well worth it down the line.
If you’re thinking about having such a unit installed or perhaps some mini-splits, contact Team Mechanical at (612) 729-5646. You can also visit our cooling page for additional information.