HVAC: Maintenance How to Clean a Mini Split Unit
Ductless mini splits are becoming much more popular options in America for providing comfort for living and work spaces. They are modern HVAC systems that provide heating and cooling for homes, offices, and other places. As the name suggests, they require no ductwork. So these ductless mini split systems are an excellent option for spaces where it is not possible or feasible to install ductwork. But they can face their own unique problems, including finding mold in the mini split.
Standard Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning are professional installers of mini split systems here in Manhattan and surrounding Kansas communities. We are the area’s Diamond Contractor for Mitsubishi ductless systems.
We provide full service for ductless units including repair and maintenance work on any brand or type of ductless system. Our techs are experienced at handling whatever problem is happening. They have often been called out to handle a repair on a mini split unit that was completely preventable.
Just as traditional heating and cooling devices need regular maintenance, so does a mini-split unit. One of the most common problems we run into here at Standard is servicing a mini split unit that is dirty and moldy.
A dirty mini split can lead to several problems. Having mold inside a unit that is dispersing air throughout your living space can greatly decrease the quality of the air you breathe.
Finding Mold in Your Mini Split
Finding out that you have mold in your mini split unit can be quite alarming, not to mention disgusting. But unfortunately, this happens more often than you might think.
When not properly maintained, the inside of your ductless mini split could become a home for mold and mildew. A ductless unit with mold inside emits mold spores into the air you breathe. This damages your indoor air quality and can make create problems for your home and also be detrimental to you and your family’s health.
Whenever mold is found or suspected, a homeowner should not ignore it. Mold can cause a variety of problems, especially to the health of the people and pets living in the home. The Environmental Protection Agency lists the Ten Things You Should Know About Mold.
5 signs of a Mold Problem
While opening your mini split unit will likely reveal whether you have a mold problem, there are some other tell-tale signs that you may notice, including:
- A bad odor that may smell like a dirty sock or something cheesy
- Black or odd-colored splotches on the wall unit, visible when lifting the cover on the air handler
- Finding a lot of moisture or standing water beneath your ductless unit
- Having increased difficulty with respiratory problems
- Experiencing more allergy-like symptoms inside your home
How to Clean Mold from Mini Split
So what can you do when you find disgusting black mold in your mini split? One option you have is to call for cleaning and maintenance from Standard Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning. Our mini split cleaning and tune-up services start at $79.99. We can quickly come out to get your system completely cleaned so you can quickly go back to having clean, fresh air again.
You could also try to clean the mold out of your ductless unit yourself. Opening and cleaning a mini split is typically not too difficult and does not require great technical skill. Cleaning mold from your mini split is something just about any homeowner can handle themselves.
Process to Clean Mold out of a Mini Split
- Start by turning off your system.
- Flip up the top cover in order to remove the filters.
- Find the two filters right at the top and pull them up and out.
- Take those filters to a sink and rinse them off.
- Allow the filters to completely dry (wait at least 20 minutes)
- Put the filters back in the mini split unit.
- Put the cover back on. It should click in place.
It is important to note that some mini-split systems have an additional antimicrobial, anti-allergy filter. If your has that, remove it from the larger filter before washing as this special filter should not be cleaned. Reattach it back to the other filters once they are completely dry.
Following those steps you should be able to successfully remove any dust, debris, and mold. But if the mold in your ductless unit is a bigger problem or if mold is apparent on parts of your mini split system other than the filters, you may need professional service. Call us at Standard for a thorough mini split cleaning and tune-up by contacting us online or by calling (785) 776-5012.
Click here for more information on our professional mini split mold cleaning service.
How to Prevent Mold Problems
The best way to prevent mold from developing in your mini split is by keeping the unit always turned on.
You can prevent future mold problems by simply not turning off your system, even when you don’t need it on. Unlike a furnace and AC system, mini splits do not cycle on and off again repeatedly. These units will instead continue operating in low-power mode.
When a mini split is on, the device is doing more than just working to provide the desired temperature. It is also draining moisture. When you turn the mini split off, it cannot work to remove the moisture. And so that moisture stays inside the unit causing mold to form.
For ductless mini split system installment, repair or maintenance in Manhattan, Wamego, Junction City or the surrounding communities, call the Standard Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning mini split experts at (785) 776-5012.
