Could a mould outbreak in your aircon affect your health this winter?

The last few winters have been unlike any we’ve experienced in recent history. The usual bout of colds and flu has taken on a more sinister shade with the ever-present fear of Covid-19 in the back of everyone’s minds. With health authorities recommending that every cough or sniffle be followed up with a Covid test, our general wellbeing is constantly in the spotlight.

Ensuring that your living and working environment is clean and sanitised has become second nature in the past few years. We have been constantly focusing on making sure our surroundings are not having a negative effect on our health by wiping down surfaces, sanitising our hands, and washing in hot water.

While diligently cleaning our surroundings it’s essential to look a bit deeper and review areas of our buildings that we probably wouldn’t consider could cause health problems. This can include your home or workplace air conditioning system.

Often not the first place that most people would look if their family was having ongoing health issues but a dirty or mould-infested air conditioner can do exactly that.

Two images of air conditioning units with black mould

Health problems that could be caused by a mouldy aircon

Mould problems often go unnoticed as it frequently grows in out of the way, dark, and damp areas of your home. Mould growth and the resulting airborne mould spores can lead to ongoing health issues such as:

• Nasal congestion
• Sneezing
• Coughing and wheezing
• Respiratory infections
• Asthma
• Allergic conditions

Why is a mould outbreak in your aircon such an issue?

If you have mould growing inside your air conditioner (and if you haven’t had the aircon cleaned recently you probably do) every time you turn the system on to cool or heat your home tiny mould spores are being blown out of the unit and around your home.

This action spreads mould to other potential breeding grounds but also distributes it into the air which is then inhaled by your family or other residents, potentially causing the health problems listed above.

In most areas of your building mould can be easily removed once identified. Places like walls, ceilings or other hard surfaces can be wiped over with a mould remover product or vinegar/water solution. However, issues arise when mould is growing in areas that are harder to access, like inside your aircon.

The interior of your air conditioner indoor unit is the perfect dark, damp, and warm environment for mould to flourish unchecked. With only limited sections of the unit easily accessible to general users, such as some filters or the fan louvre, to remove this mould build up properly the system will require a professional air conditioner clean.

How do I clean mould from my air conditioner?

You can easily clean the external surfaces of the wall unit as well as the removable filter and louvres. Some models have a filter that can be washed in warm soapy water, air-dried and replaced, other filters are designed to be thrown away and replaced with new when dirty.

Your air conditioning technician will be able to carry out a more comprehensive cleaning service. They can safely get to, and thoroughly de-mould, deeper inside the system, getting to all the nooks and crannies in and around the electrical components of the unit.

It’s important to note that by accessing the internal areas of your aircon yourself you can risk voiding your air conditioner warranty and causing other issues. Best to leave this to the licenced professionals.

Ensuring your aircon is clean is vital throughout the current flu season to effectively remove bacteria and mould from your unit. Don’t delay booking air conditioning clean to protect your family or staff this winter.

Book a Comprehensive Air Conditioner Cleaning Service with our specialists today.

Reference – https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/mould-and-your-health