What is Microbial Contamination?

You may have heard the HydroKleen team mention microbial contamination, but what is it and how does it relate to your air conditioner? Microbial (or microbiological) contamination refers to the inclusion or growth of harmful microorganisms. It’s often referred to in relation to food safety (think botulism and listeria), and it’s also a potential hazard with a dirty air conditioner.

Your air conditioning unit becomes a source of microbial contamination when dust (often biological spores and organic particles) get through the filter, land on the heat transfer surfaces, combines with the moisture produced by the unit. The spores then germinate and grow. Contamination can be identified through:

Growth of mould and mildew in the system

Visible growth of mould and mildew are a giveaway for microbial contamination. These potential allergens are difficult to remove and are a sign that your air conditioner is overdue for maintenance and sanitization.

Your Air Conditioner Smells

You may not always be able to do a visual check of your air conditioner, however, if your unit starts to smell bad, it may be another sign of microbial contamination. Spore growth is often accompanied by a less than fresh scent (damp earth or old socks). Your favourite cleaning company that specializes in air conditioner maintenance and sanitizing can help you get rid of the smell and get your unit clean again.

Your Family Suffers from Allergy Symptoms

There can be many reasons your family is always sniffling, however if your doctor hasn’t been able to diagnose an issue, perhaps it’s your environment. Whether at work or at home, air conditioners with microbial contamination could be contributing to their allergy symptoms. At HydroKleen, our cleaning agents and cleaning process have been exclusively approved by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice Program.

If your air conditioner hasn’t been regularly maintained, there’s a good chance it’s also growing the spores contributing to these issues. Contact HydroKleen today at 1-877-445-5336 and reduce your risk.