When an air conditioner has mold, it can quickly lower the indoor air quality and cause unwanted exposure. Here's how to avoid that.

If you're like me, you're probably blasting the AC practically at your face through these summer heat waves. But you could be getting a big dose of something a lot less pleasant—mold, allergens, and other ick. While Midea air conditioners were recalled earlier this year due to a risk of mold growth, they aren't the only air conditioners at risk for growing mold or spreading other contaminants in your home. Because of how they work—removing moisture from the air in addition to cooling it—every air conditioner or HVAC unit can potentially grow dangerous microbes.

"Mold in air conditioners can be fairly common if they’re not properly maintained," says Michael Rubino, a mold and air quality expert and founder of HomeCleanse. So if you haven't checked out your AC in a while, here's the scoop on why you should—and what to do if you discover something unsavory growing there.

Why Air Conditioners Become Contaminated

Anything that can end up in the air or on surfaces can end up being drawn into and—blown out of your air conditioner. And if it's organic material, it can easily thrive and grow in your air conditioner. "Moisture and organic matter are the two main components needed for microbial growth," Rubino says. So pet dander, a mold spore, bacteria, or another piece of organic material can thrive on the AC coils, where the cold coils produce condensation as they cool and remove moisture the air. "If a mold spore lands on [the coils], it will put down roots and develop into a living colony," Rubino says.

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