UV light for mini split
- Thread starter jjrbus
- Start date
I've heard of UV lights installed upside down in an evap coil to kill mold spores and bacteria, but it's buried in the unit so no chance of human eyes being exposed. I guess something similar could work for your issue.
Perhaps this article might help.
Perhaps this article might help.
Will a UV Light for AC Eliminate Mold?
You may have heard of UV (ultraviolet) rays or lights from your science teacher or eye doctor. They’re a spectrum within the light the sun creates and provide a critical function for the planet’s ecosystem. UV rays act as mother nature’s sanitizer. Anything organic that’s exposed to UV...
www.airnowhvac.com
aggie113
Well-known member
I use a small electric sprayer and a bib kit I bought on Amazon to do a yearly cleaning on the minisplit in the garage. Even cleaning the filters on the regular it still gets nasty on the blower wheel.
fitter30
Well-known member
The problem isn't the mini it's the RH. Either lower the set point add dehumidifier to lower the RH below 50%. Or lower the set point. Infiltration is not your friend.
I have taken the blower wheel out and now have bought the sprayer and bag. The issue I have now is my minis are mounted up high, I am 78 and I can see getting up and down a ladder is not going to be happening much longer.
I live in FL it is a swamp. After doing some research the plastic used in the blower wheel is porous and a perfect home for mold. Nothing in the mini evaporator gets mold on it except for the wheel.. People who seem knowledgeable claim it is common in draw through AC designs.
fitter30
Well-known member
Moisture on a AC coil is 100% when the cold air starts to warm up/ mix with room temp rh drops( higher the temp the lower rh). Air temp is easy to drop, latent heat is the hard part.
Need to ask our electric provider if they offer a energy audit that includes a blower door test. Will tell how tight the house is. Guess you have a crawl space? Is it sealed with a dehumidifier?
bluedog225
Well-known member
I thought dry mode or having continuous air flow to dry it out was the answer.
Maybe some colloidal silver on the surface if it is porous. Wonder why they would do that?
Maybe some colloidal silver on the surface if it is porous. Wonder why they would do that?
Chuckster in NJ
Well-known member
Wouldn’t the UV light degrade the internal plastic and rubber components?……… I know that UV light breaks down the polymer chains in plastics.
Ozone has been known to destroy plastics and rubber too.
BTW! Mold survives on DARK, DAMP area with NO AIR MOVEMENT so if you take away one of these mold will go dormant and will not survive.
TIP! "IF" you have a mold problem in a mini split I suggest checking out a cleaner spray that they use on HVAC systems and use it on a monthly basis.……. Condensate pan tablets and condensate line cleaners will also work to knock down mold.
Check out www.supplyhouse.com
Ozone has been known to destroy plastics and rubber too.
BTW! Mold survives on DARK, DAMP area with NO AIR MOVEMENT so if you take away one of these mold will go dormant and will not survive.
TIP! "IF" you have a mold problem in a mini split I suggest checking out a cleaner spray that they use on HVAC systems and use it on a monthly basis.……. Condensate pan tablets and condensate line cleaners will also work to knock down mold.
Check out www.supplyhouse.com
No crawl, house is CBS built in 86, all new windows and doors. Minimal insulation.
It is not just me with a problem, there are thousands of videos and posts online about mini blower wheels with mold problems.
Diesel Dan
Well-known member
keeping my blower cages clean is a battle as well.
What I recently started doing is adding a layer of bulk two layer furnace filter on top of the inlet of the wall units. It has made a noticeable difference in keeping the cages clean and you can see the filter material darken from the contaminates they catch. These are in the living space, not a shop. The attached image is similar to what I use, friend that does commercial hvac gave me a few cutoff pieces to try and I'll order me a roll to keep on hand.
Attachments
It's a thought. Seen a guy in his shop made a 8X2 foot box over his wall unit. All filters
Diesel Dan
Well-known member
I've recommended additional filtration for shop units but got push back on expensive "custom" work.
aggie113
Well-known member
I thought the higher filtration led to poor airflow for these units. My bedroom minisplit wheel is due for a cleaning. First time in 4 years for that so not bad. The garage unit requires a cleaning yearly. Links to the equipment I use bib and an electric sprayer
Even if the cheap electric sprayer only lasts a year it is still cheaper than having someone come out and clean a unit.
Even if the cheap electric sprayer only lasts a year it is still cheaper than having someone come out and clean a unit.
aggie113
Well-known member
Sprayer still works, bedroom unit cleaned. Checked the other units. They aren't clean but they can wait till cooler weather.
Nasty...
Nasty...
sarcastoplasm
New member
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2026
- Messages
- 2
I’m an HVAC tech in southwest FL so I deal with this issue a lot. Unfortunately anything strong enough to kill mold or prevent its growth will also degrade the plastic polymer of the blower wheel. There are products out there from Rector Seal (Dust Free), Diversitech, and Fresh Aire but they have mixed results with poor reliability. I think the best option is to have it cleaned periodically. You can remove the wheel to clean it but you have to be ginger careful, or you can get a bib and clean in in place.
Keep in mind any time it’s disassembled you run the risk of something not working right when it’s put back together again. Even if you do everything “correct”.
Keep in mind any time it’s disassembled you run the risk of something not working right when it’s put back together again. Even if you do everything “correct”.