Mini Split and Mold

[magic_garage]

Is it normal or not uncommon to get mold in the indoor units with mini split air conditioners? Let's say you never do the spray and rinse maintenance but just cleaning the screen filter once every few months.

 

[Kaizen]

heck yea. eventually it will build up and the drain wont work resulting in soaked drywall. Some units have a feature where it can run just the fan after use to dry the indoor unit but you really do need to do an annual clean.

 

[jjrbus]

From watching internet it seems that the hotter with high humidity the more mold you get. I have to thoroughly clean my 3 at least once a year, a real pain! To get them thoroughly clean the blower wheel must be removed. I am experimenting now with a low pressure power sprayer to clean without disassembly. Jury is still out on this.

The hard plastic in mine does not get mold it grows on the blower wheel, turns out the blower wheel is a porous plastic which is an ideal home for mold. All the pro tips like leaving the fan running or turning on the heat before shutting down are BS and do not work.

NOt to worry some enterprising people have started cleaning services Charging around $350 in my area.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Supco-Z...WOgLdYD4u0DdObUH8bLSJPY0EAuEzKqxoCaXEQAvD_BwE

 

[pcmeiners]

During the install you might place a few silver dimes (pre 1965) or thin copper strips in the minisplit drip pans, anti microbial/mold qualities. In hospital and old schools they used silver/copper on door handles/plates. On roofs, moss/mold will not grow for years once treat to the above metals. Just purchased some colloidal copper powder (cheapest microscopically fine/dust copper metal from Ebay), a tiny amount 1/3rd of a teaspoon per qt of water, sprayed on the coils after cleaning and rinsing will kill any mold and keep it mold free. Silver would be OK, but more expensive. Copper or silver salts would not be good, as aluminum from the coils would replace the metals in those salts, it must be metal powder.

 

[chinboys]

Anything organic is food for mold. Add moisture and oxygen to these organisms... Mold.
I know bleach will kill mold but it isn't time economical nor is the prep work required.
My wall mounted evaporator produces ozone which is considered an indoor pollutant yet will kill mold.
Lastly, the use of an ultraviolet light might kill mold.

I guess those spray foam self rinsing evaporator cleaners might be tactical to use in some periodic schedule to rid the evaporator of organic matter.

 

[magic_garage]

Sorry I was MIA. Appreciate the info. I recently heard from a friend that their AC CTR doing maintenance gave them some "pro tips like leaving the fan running or turning on the heat before shutting down". We'll see if that's a bunch of you know what here too.

Another friend told me that their AC CTR said they don't do the spray and rinse cleaning on the inside unit anymore. The "new way" is they spray something (I don't know what) on coils and that's it. Anyone familiar with this non rinsing technique?

Thanks again.

 

[jjrbus]

Sorry I was MIA. Appreciate the info. I recently heard from a friend that their AC CTR doing maintenance gave them some "pro tips like leaving the fan running or turning on the heat before shutting down". We'll see if that's a bunch of you know what here too.

Another friend told me that their AC CTR said they don't do the spray and rinse cleaning on the inside unit anymore. The "new way" is they spray something (I don't know what) on coils and that's it. Anyone familiar with this non rinsing technique?

Thanks again.

I do not know about other minis as I only have exprience with my Daikins. Leaving the fan running is an old wives tale. My fan runs 24/7 when the unit is on AC, the ac is only on when calling for cool.

Daikin states not to use anything on the inside coils as they are self rinsing and to rinse with warm water when cleaning. The coils always look clean and not once in 4 years have they had mold on them. The blower wheels always need cleaning. The drip tray directly under the blower wheel never has mold in it! It's the plastic the blower wheel is made from that is the problem.

I brush a mold remover on the blower wheel, let it work and spray it off. I have not found a cleaner that does a great job.

 

[magic_garage]

Looks like I'll be joining the frequent cleaning and mold club since it's pretty humid here. Not sure if we're more humid than FL but I would think definetely pretty close.

Thanks for the feedback all. This gives me a better expectations.

 

[jjrbus]

Looks like I'll be joining the frequent cleaning and mold club since it's pretty humid here. Not sure if we're more humid than FL but I would think definetely pretty close.

Thanks for the feedback all. This gives me a better expectations.

There are a couple companys that have addressed the blower wheel issue. I find cleaning the wheel a real pain and would be investigating these. Also not cleaning the filters every couple weeks but couple months seems to keep the insides cleaner, only my opinion.

 

[christiesternerz]

Mold growth in indoor units of mini-split air conditioners is not uncommon, especially in environments with high humidity levels or inadequate ventilation. Mini-split systems create temperature differentials between indoor and outdoor areas, which can lead to condensation inside the unit if not properly managed. Additionally, dust and debris accumulation, along with moisture from the condensation, provide an ideal environment for mold growth. Neglecting regular maintenance, such as cleaning the filter and ensuring proper drainage, can exacerbate the issue. Mold spores can accumulate on the filter and other surfaces inside the unit, leading to mold growth if left unchecked.