Air conditioning in the car. How to effectively disinfect it?
In addition to the obvious benefits of having an air conditioner, you must be prepared for the responsibilities of maintaining it. Neglecting this issue can be not only expensive, but also dangerous to health and even life. The principle of operation of the air conditioning system creates ideal conditions for the development of microorganisms hazardous to health.
What is a dirty air conditioning system hiding?
Krzysztof Wyszyński, expert at Würth Polska, specializing in particular in the distribution of automotive chemicals, explains why you should care about air conditioning. – The smell of mold and mustiness emanating from the ventilation openings indicates the outstripping development of various types of bacteria and fungi that can negatively affect our health and well-being. One of the most common microorganisms are bacteria of the genus Bacillus. They cause a wide range of infections, from skin problems to sepsis or meningitis, the expert emphasizes. The conditioning system also includes Brevundimonas vesicularis, which correspond to, among others, peritonitis and septic arthritis. Passengers are also at risk of contracting Aerococcus viridans and Elizabethkingia meningoseptica - the former causing urinary tract infections and endocarditis, and the latter especially dangerous for immunocompromised people. How to effectively clean the air conditioner to get rid of all pathogens?
Choice of cleaning/disinfection method
There are several methods of disinfecting air conditioners on the market today, such as the use of aerosol chemicals, ultrasonic cleaning, or ozonation. The last two methods are best suited for "non-invasive" cleaning of ventilation ducts and car interiors. Their disadvantage is that they do not clean the evaporator where deposits accumulate, i.e. do not reach all areas of the air conditioning system that require disinfection. The most commonly used and recognized as the most effective method of decontamination is the direct distribution of the disinfectant through the ventilation ducts and onto the evaporator. The disadvantage of this solution is the risk of getting the product into the electrics or electronics of the car if the ventilation duct is leaking. Therefore, it is important to use it in the right amount.
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The key is choosing the right drug. To effectively combat microorganisms that multiply in the air conditioning system, a preparation with biocidal properties is needed. Due to their chemical composition, they must be evaluated and registered before being placed on the market. Throughout the European Union, products of this type can only be used after obtaining an appropriate permit. In Poland, permission to place on the market is issued by the Office for the Registration of Medicines, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products. The label of such a product must include an authorization number; if it is absent, it is likely that the drug is used only for cleaning, and not for disinfection.
One of the most critical moments in cleaning the air conditioning system is the evaporator. Its proper disinfection is guaranteed by using the pressure method. It involves the use of a metal probe connected to a special pneumatic gun that allows access to the evaporator chamber. The device creates a sufficiently high pressure, due to which the drug washes away contaminated deposits and reaches all its spaces. It is recommended to use at least 0,5 l of disinfectant liquid - its excess is drained through the condensate drain. So be sure to place the tub in the right place under the car, especially since the effect can be spectacular, especially when the evaporator hasn't been cleaned and sanitized properly for several years. The green goo flowing from under the car greatly excites the imagination. In addition to the evaporator, remember to disinfect all ventilation ducts, for example, with a nebulizer equipped with an appropriate probe.
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The most common mistakes
The most common mistake when cleaning an air conditioning system is using a product that does not have biocidal properties. In this case, check its label to see if it has an FDA license and is not expired.
It also happens that the evaporator was not properly cleaned and disinfected. It is recommended to clean and disinfect the evaporator every time using the pressure method. In the most severe cases, it may be necessary to replace the evaporator with a new one.
The mistake of workshops involved in the disinfection of air conditioners is also improper drying of the system. After disinfection, open all ventilation ducts, turn on the fan at maximum speed and, alternately with the air conditioner on, change the thermostat settings several times from minimum to maximum and vice versa. The entire procedure should be carried out in a fume hood with the car door open, and then thoroughly ventilated.
It is also a mistake not to replace the cabin filter. After the evaporator, this is the element of the air conditioning system in which fungi and bacteria multiply most quickly. The cabin air filter should be changed at least twice a year. Leaving the old filter after disinfecting the air conditioning system is tantamount to a denial of service.
