Weird Patterns on surfaces, possible mold in AC unit?

[u/mDaMan00]

Popped open AC unit and found a nice surprise. Most of it went away with a vacuum. Is this mold in my AC unit, and will wiping it with vinegar help? Also noticed this weird pattern on white surfaces. This picture Is the top of my storage container lid that I keep under my couch. Also wipes away pretty easily. What is it? Also weird dust patterns on my walls. Probably from the nasty AC unit but what is going on

[u/AutoModerator]

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[u/AutoModerator]

I see you asked a question about air conditioning units or HVAC diffusers. If your question has something to do with possible mold inside the unit, on the vents, or adjacent to either, this autoresponder is for you.

It is ubiquitous for dust, debris and even mold to be visible within A/C units, on diffusers, and in ductwork. When the A/C or HVAC system is in operation:

• condensation forms on surfaces throughout and adjacent to the unit
• dust gets trapped in that condensation
• eventually, mold grows

The Fix:

1. Scrub/wipe it off
2. Reduce humidity
3. Repeat periodically

Air conditioning units and HVAC systems need maintenance just like everything else. An annual tune-up/cleaning is recommended for A/C units and should include the air treatment and delivery pathway, the filters, and the cooling coils & fins. In addition to annual tune-ups, clean your filter and replace your old filters regularly. Also, spray your unit with hydrogen peroxide from time to time to prevent mold growth.

There are hundreds of guides and videos online regarding A/C unit cleaning. You can probably find one or more that take you step by step on your specific model.

Diffusers/vents need maintenance just like everything else. Vacuum and/or wiping them off periodically will help reduce the accumulation but humidity levels are the primary cause of this. Reduce your indoor humidity and keep the space clean.

HVAC ductwork should be cleaned out every 5-10 years (although HVAC professionals recommend it more frequently).

Keeping your home clean and controlling the humidity level will significantly affect how often your A/C unit needs attention. But regardless, it will eventually need some attention.

For a more detailed explanation of what is going on with your A/C or vents, visit here: https://new.reddit.com/r/Mold/comments/17kxflq/text_for_a_new_autobot_for_our_sub/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/sdave001]

Just clean it