BDRunner Sept 11:
Air conditioners provide a cooling effect during the summer. However, their air can contain allergens and other health hazards.
Air conditioners remove moisture from the air inside the house and provide cool air. This is why mold and other microorganisms can grow inside the AC.
“If not properly maintained, it is very common for mold to grow in air conditioners,” Michael Rubino, an American expert on mold and air quality, told RealSimple.com.
Why air conditioners get dirty
Rubino said, “Moisture and natural elements are the main factors for the spread of mold or germs. Therefore, bacteria, mold, or other germs can easily grow on the coils of the AC. Because the coils are cold and play a role in removing moisture from the air.”
He also said, “Once mold starts growing in these places, it can easily turn into a mold colony within a few days.”
And since the coil is not in front of the eyes, you can’t even notice it.
How to understand that the AC has a fungal infection
It is possible to understand it by various symptoms. And even if there is any one of these, you need to take action quickly.
Seeing fungus growing: If you open the front cover of the AC and examine the filters, you will easily see if there is fungus growing.
Rubino said, “Fungi can be of different colors, such as white, green, blue, pink, gray, black, and brown. The structure can be of various types – powdery, sticky, or slippery.
Muddy smell in the air: Even before you see it, you can feel that there has been a fungal infection in the air of the AC. Because after leaving the AC, a wet or earthy smell will come out.
Feeling bad: When exposed to this type of organism, various types of discomfort occur in the body, such as feeling empty-headed, tired, having difficulty breathing, coughing, and headaches.
If such problems appear after leaving the AC, the air is likely polluted.
Professionals can identify: Professionals who perform AC maintenance can easily identify this fungal problem.
And if you want to understand yourself, it is possible to detect the presence of potential contaminants by examining the dust on the windows and floors of the house.
Remedy
If you have experience cleaning the fungus yourself, it is possible.
However, Rubino said, “If a window AC is infected with fungus, the entire AC should be replaced because changing one or two parts will not solve the problem. There is no guarantee that even if you clean it again, it will not happen again.”
If a small area is affected, opening the AC and cleaning it thoroughly can be beneficial. In this case, it would be wise to seek professional help.
What can be done to prevent
With proper maintenance, it is possible to catch the problem early. It is possible to take preventive measures promptly.
Rubino said, “Regular testing can identify the problem in its early stages. I would tell those who use AC regularly to test it at least once a week and clean the filter. This will remove any organic matter before it causes problems.”
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