With summer and its scorching temperatures, you will soon need to use the air conditioning in your car. But be careful, if it shows these symptoms, it is better to cut it without delay to preserve your health!
Despite appearances, summer is approaching and temperatures are likely to rise again this year. A good reason to take advantage of your car’s air conditioning. But be careful, this practical device is not without danger! And you must be alert to signs of malfunction, including the smell of the air produced.
Indeed, if you smell an unpleasant odor when turning on your air conditioning, it is high time to clean the ventilation. This odor often comes from overgrowth of bacteria and mold that thrives in stagnant moisture inside the system. When the air conditioning is running, condensation forms on the heat exchanger. Some of this water flows outside, but the rest circulates through the system, creating a humid environment where bacteria thrive.
These bacteria and mold can not only cause unpleasant odors but also health problems. So, dirty air conditioning can cause respiratory illnesses like hypersensitivity pneumonitis, known as “air conditioning lung.” Caused by fungi found in stagnant water in the air conditioning system, this condition manifests itself with fever, shortness of breath and cough. Worse still, dirty air conditioning can also promote the spread of Legionnaires’ disease, a serious infection caused by the bacteria Legionella pneumophila. To avoid these problems, it is crucial to disinfect your car’s ventilation system at least once a year. Here are some practical tips to achieve this.
First, change the pollen filter regularly. Also called a cabin filter, it prevents dust and allergens from entering your car. A clogged filter does not allow good air circulation and can even allow dirty air to pass through. Then use specific disinfectant sprays. Start the engine, set the air conditioning to maximum and close the ventilation system to internal recirculation mode. Spray the disinfectant into the air ducts to kill bacteria and mold.
Gas stations often offer air conditioning cleaning services. They use a nozzle sprayer with a long tube that they insert into the vent to thoroughly clean and disinfect the ventilation system. If you can, disinfect with ozone, one of the most powerful disinfecting agents. Ozone generating devices can be used to disinfect the car interior by eliminating bacteria, viruses and bad odors very effectively.
Finally, in addition to annual cleanings, be sure to use your air conditioning regularly, even in winter, to prevent humidity from stagnating in the system for too long. This helps prevent mold growth and keeps the system in good working order.
If you neglect your air conditioning maintenance, dirt and mold can build up to the point that a layer of moss forms on the heat exchanger. In this case, superficial cleaning will not be enough. You will need to dismantle the ventilation system and remove the heat exchanger for complete cleaning. A complex operation to be entrusted to a professional, which can be expensive.