Relocate the unit to a well ventilated area.
Black mold in ac window unit.
Black mold or stachybotrys chartarum is a greenish black mold that grows on materials such as fiberboard gypsum board paper lint and dust when there is moisture from water damage excessive humidity water leaks condensation water infiltration or flooding.
When dirt and dust build up in air vents black mold can thrive which is why it s important to commit to a regular maintenance schedule.
Step 2 sprinkle a thin layer of powdered laundry detergent on the filter and cover it with hot water.
The bleach will kill residual mold spores.
Air conditioner vents can be breeding grounds for black mold.
You might be able to see mold on the unit itself or on the filter if you remove and examine it.
You might smell a musty odor characteristic of mold when the air conditioner is turned on.
The appearance of mold in your window air conditioner usually means you have a problem somewhere either in the unit itself or the house.
Take off the front body grille of your unit.
It will appear around the home as a slimy dark greenish black or gray substance.
On most units this can be done easily by pulling.
Put on your safety gear mask eyewear and gloves.
Mold in window air conditioner units is a serious problem because every time you turn on your air conditioner it will blow tiny invisible mold spores into the room.
If it is a disposable filter make sure you have another filter to replace it with and skip the filter cleaning steps below.
Remove the filter from the front of your window air conditioner and place it in the sink.
Turn off the air conditioner and unplug the unit from its power source.
This moisture plus dust creates an attractive environment.
Black mold or stachybotrys chartarum is a species of mold or fungi.
The humidity the window air conditioner draws from the air doesn t magically disappear.
Many other molds are green or grey but black mold tends to be a dark greenish black or gray color.
It deposits on the cooling coils inside the unit.
Condensation forms in the coils and ducts as cool air circulates through the system creating a habitat for moisture loving mold.
Mold appears as a result of a damp environment so any place that s subjected to excessive moisture is at risk.
You might also be experiencing mold related health problems like coughing sneezing and respiratory problems.
Mold spreads and grows easily and before you know it you can have mold growing throughout the room.
Saturate a scrubbing sponge in the bleach solution and use it to wipe the inside surfaces of the ac unit removing all traces of visible mold.