While your air conditioner is working hard at pulling the humidity out of the air you live in, it is also providing an ideal breeding ground for dangerous growth.

This is not a reason to avoid your air conditioner – in fact quite the opposite!  Get acquainted and show your system a little bit of love, especially during and after this hot, humid time of year.

What is mould?

Mould is a fungal growth that thrives when the right conditions are present (humid/damp, warm and with a nutrient source – dust, dirt, natural materials).  Mould can grow in many places, and is especially known to grow in condensate pans of fridges and air conditioning units.  Whilst there are many types of mould, black mould is especially considered to have a negative and damaging effect on health and lifestyle.

Prevention is always better than Cure

As the saying goes, limiting the opportunity for mould growth is far easier than dealing with a mould infestation in your home or business.  Some key tips to preventing a mould problem:

– Maintain good ventilation and air movement (especially when the weather is humid)
– Allow sunshine into rooms wherever possible
– Have your air conditioners regularly serviced with drains flushed and coils checked
– Keep bathroom, laundry and kitchen areas dry, using exhaust fans or open windows for showers/baths, clothes driers or warm cycle washing machines
– Vacuum regularly with a HEPA filter equipped machine

How do I know if I have mould?

There are some places where mould is visible (on the bathroom ceiling for instance), however there may be more sinister places where mould can grow and reproduce.  It is during the reproduction phase that airborne spores can spread through your home and be ingested or inhaled where it can cause irritation or illness – and if mould is growing in an air conditioning unit you can see how quickly this can become a problem.

One of the best indications of a mould growth or infestation is a musty smell.  However to arrest mould growth before it is airborne enough for an odour, a visual inspection of areas such as inside air conditioning units or in refrigerator drip pans is essential.

What if mould is already growing?

If there is mould growing, it is essential to rid it thoroughly (and don’t just pull out the bleach as this will not kill the growth, only remove its colour).  If you have mould in your air conditioning unit a thorough clean is essential to ensure that any residual spores are removed from the unit and cannot then repopulate.

As part of our regular air conditioner service we do a thorough visual check as well as cleaning out all drains and pans.  If mould is found we will let you know.  From there we can conduct a thorough clean of your unit to ensure the health of your air conditioner – and your home.