Air conditioning cleaning: Why is it important to clean your air conditioner?
The air quality in your home directly influences your health and that of your family. An AC unit that is not cleaned constantly offers a suitable breeding ground for mold, fungi, bacteria, and germs to thrive. In every situation lacking air conditioner cleaning procedures, microbe particles are scattered into the room and contaminate the air, exposing us to a variety of respiratory infections, with the risk of triggering asthma attacks.
Table of Contents
- How does an air conditioner work?
- Why does the air conditioner get dirty?
- How often should air conditioners be cleaned?
- How is the air conditioner sanitized?
- The health dangers of not cleaning the air conditioner
- What other risks does an un-sanitized air conditioning unit involve?
For the air conditioner to be as efficient as possible, it must be kept clean and disinfected. Removing dust and dirt from filters and other internal system elements will ensure energy efficiency, as well as a series of health benefits. Without proper maintenance, even under normal operating conditions, an air conditioning unit will degrade over time and begin to emit an unpleasant odor when turned on.
In recent years, we have been facing a series of respiratory conditions, from allergies to viral infections, which means we need to pay increased attention to the air we breathe. How can we do this? Through the simple procedure of air conditioner cleaning.
1. How does an air conditioner work?
The basic activity of an air conditioner is to cool the air in your home. This can be done via a wall unit that cools just a single room or through ducts in the house, which can regulate the temperature in the entire home at once.
The unit works to take in warm air and cool it before distributing it as cold air. This can be done in a few different ways.
With a split-system air conditioner, a compressor circulates refrigerant, turning it into a liquid that is then forced over the coil in the cooling compartment of the air conditioner.
A fan pushes air as it passes over the evaporator, where the refrigerant turns into a vapor that removes the heated air, cools it, and then releases it back into the room.
2. Why does the air conditioner get dirty?
To cool the room temperature, the air conditioner essentially draws in the air from the room. Therefore, dirt accumulated in the house ends up in the system's airflow. Once it leaves the return ducts, that dirt is trapped by the air filter.
As the filter becomes clogged with dirt, it can cause the air conditioner to lose cooling capacity, develop frost, run noisily, and present several health hazards. Implementing an air conditioner cleaning routine will eliminate this problem and, implicitly, protect us from the risks associated with infection with viruses and bacteria.
3. How often should air conditioners be cleaned?
Usually, we can tell if an air conditioner cleaning is needed by opening the unit and looking at the filters. If it is clogged with dirt or (worse) mold, then sanitization with an air conditioner cleaning spray is certainly required. Clogged filters will impact performance, so if the AC unit blows warm air, makes loud noises, or has a bad smell, the filters should be inspected.
The air conditioner filter should be cleaned at least twice per season, as a general rule. If you are in an area with a lot of dust, or a home with pets, then sanitization should be done more frequently.
4. How is the air conditioner sanitized?
Step 1: Air conditioner cleaning – outdoor unit
- Make sure the air conditioner is turned off;
- Disconnect the power supply from the outlet;
- Use a cloth dampened with water to clean the unit's housing;
Attention!
Do not clean the unit by spraying water directly onto it. Water that enters the unit can lead to electric shock or fire, which could cause serious accidents.
Do not use chlorine or organic solvents, such as paint thinner, acetone, or alcohol to clean the unit's surfaces. Use an air conditioner cleaning solution specially designed for this purpose.
Step 2: Cleaning the filter
The filter requires cleaning and disinfection every 6 months, or more often when you notice either an unpleasant odor or that the air is not cool enough. The period between sanitizations can vary depending on usage and environmental conditions.
- Detach the filter from the unit;
- Use a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner to remove any traces of dust or debris from the filter;
- Clean the filter using an air conditioner cleaning solution.
- Let the filter air dry in a well-ventilated area;
- Reinstall the filter in the unit.
Attention:
Take care not to damage the filter during the air conditioner cleaning procedure.
Do not use a hard brush or other cleaning utensils.
Avoid exposing the air filter to direct sunlight when leaving it to dry.
Step 3: Disinfecting components inside the unit
- Clean and disinfect the evaporator;
- With a slightly dampened cloth, carefully clean the fan blades;
- Disinfect the condensate tray with an air conditioner cleaning spray.
Attention:
The water in the condensate tray is dirty and can develop cultures of bacteria and microorganisms. For this reason, it is essential to clean and disinfect it periodically.
Klintensiv Tip: For cleaning and disinfecting the internal blades of the air conditioner, use ENVIROKLIN™. With certified virucidal, bactericidal, fungicidal, and sporicidal action, it has a rapid effect and removes debris that blocks airflow. Let the product act for 5 minutes for medium and low-level disinfection or 60 minutes for high-level disinfection.
5. The health dangers of not cleaning the air conditioner
Air conditioners are a real cause of various respiratory conditions. They work by bringing outside air indoors, which can carry contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and mold spores.
As the unit cools the air, it also increases the humidity level. If not cleaned regularly, this excess moisture can get trapped inside the air conditioner's duct system or evaporator coils, providing a perfect environment for microbes to grow.
Legionnaires' disease (lung infection)
Legionella pneumophila, a type of bacteria found in water systems such as lakes and streams, can grow inside wet cooling towers and then spread into the air conditioning system through the evaporator coil. Symptoms include high fever, chills, headaches, dry cough, and muscle aches.
Currently, there is no vaccine for Legionnaires' disease, so the only way to prevent it is a strict routine of air conditioner cleaning procedures.
Respiratory infections
Respiratory infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, occur when mold spores enter the air conditioner unit. Once there, they grow and cause lung irritation.
Food poisoning
When airborne particles from cooking accumulate in the air conditioning system, they can contaminate food when the air conditioner is turned on. This is because particles are released into the air, similar to steam from a kettle.
Flu and cold symptoms
Viruses (not bacteria) cause colds and the flu. Because many types of bacteria like moisture, the conditions are found in cooling towers. If allergens are allowed to enter the evaporator coil, very unpleasant symptoms can occur. Using an air conditioner cleaning spray with disinfectant action will prevent such inconveniences.
Asthma symptoms
Using a dusty air conditioner unit could cause allergies and trigger asthma attacks in those suffering from a respiratory condition. The best way to prevent this is by using a high-quality air filter that will prevent allergens from reaching the airflow released by the unit.
Mold
There are many different types of fungi, some harmless, others less safe. Black mold, or, to give it its scientific name, Stachybotrys chartarum, is one of the most harmful forms of fungi. Under the right conditions, fungi like black mold produce deadly mycotoxins. Exposure to black mold mycotoxins can cause lung damage and long-term health problems.
Mold contamination in uncleaned air conditioning ducts represents a major health issue. Systems must be maintained and cleaned regularly, and filters must be replaced to prevent the circulation of black mold spores through the building. It is recommended to use a disinfectant for the air conditioner to completely eliminate pathogenic microorganisms.
6. What other risks does an un-sanitized air conditioning unit involve?
Dirty air conditioning units work harder than clean ones, causing energy bills to rise. Make sure to sanitize the filters and condenser at least once a year to increase the device's efficiency as much as possible.
On the other hand, the lack of an air conditioner cleaning routine will cause most internal components to be overloaded, which could lead to more problems in the future. In other words, an air conditioner that is not sanitized regularly will have a shorter lifespan, which, again, involves more financial costs.
Conclusion
An air conditioner that is cleaned regularly means, first and foremost, avoiding a large number of health-related problems. In addition, by sanitizing both the external and internal units, you will save money and increase the life of the appliance.
Sources:
https://www.absoluteservices.com.sg/articles/12-health-dangers-of-not-cleaning-aircon.html
https://www.tonystephensrefrigeration.com.au/2020/07/08/how-air-conditioners-work/
https://www.tonystephensrefrigeration.com.au/2021/10/18/dirty-air-conditioner-impact-health/
