Korean Job Discussion Forums

[IncognitoHFX]

I'm not sure yet, but I think my air conditioner is making me sick. I've had a throbbing headache all week, a snuffy nose and my skin feels weird. It's strange for the summer months and I'm not sure what is causing it.

I ran it by my employer, and they said it might have to do with my air conditionner's filter. Is this possible? It hasn't been cleaned since I've moved in... and I've never had an air conditionner before (my last employer refused it) so I'm not really familiar with them.

If it is the filter, how would I go about cleaning it exactly?

[spliff]

What I do w/ mine is to open it up (the plastic part enclosing the filters) give it a preliminary vacuuming, pull out the filters and wash them and set them out to fully dry. Next, I vacuum again in the AC unit to get out all the dust behind and around where the filters go and then wipe all areas I can w/ a wet cloth. After the filters are dry I put the unit back together.

[Join Me]

You can also get a can of stuff you spray in your aircon to kill mold and clean it. Ask a Korean about this they can write down what you need to buy then you can head to E-Mart of someplace to pick it up.

[Kiarell]

you probably had the windows closed right? A/C's freeze all the oxygen in the room. don't go to sleep or you'll die. It's like fan death, but even worse, since no one knows about it.

[bobranger]

A wall-mounted air conditioning unit can present some unique cleaning problems. Most home appliances are either exposed to indoor or outdoor conditions, but not both. An air conditioner, on the other hand, is affected by the outside elements (such as weather) and inside elements (such as dust accumulation). Keeping an air conditioning unit clean and efficient can take a little extra effort but the savings in electricity will be worth it.
For everyday cleaning, the best cleaning tool is a dust mop or statically charged brush. Dust tends to accumulate on the top of the air conditioner and between the slats of the front cover. Sweep out the dust and look for any signs of moisture collection or mold. If you discover mold spots, particularly in the front cover or around the seal, use a commercial mold killer. Never spray an all-purpose cleaner directly on the front cover while it is in place. The excess cleaner may be drawn up into the air induction system. A dry duster should be able to remove most of the surface dust and dirt. If a sticky substance has been spilled on the surface, use a small amount of cleanser and a sponge, not a spray bottle.
Every so often, an air conditioner's filter must be checked and cleaned. Most of the time, filters are either large pieces of foam, which fit directly against the induction system or metal screens, which are built directly into the front panel. Look for a section of the front panel, which seems to be different than the others. Most likely there is an attached metal screen, which should pull out easily. If there is no obvious filter on the front, then you'll need to remove the front cover. There should be a piece of foam material pressed against a large array of metal fins. This foam piece is the filter itself and should be easily pried away.
Now that you have the filter removed, you can clean it by several methods. A vacuum cleaner with an attached crevice tool can remove most of the dust from a panel filter. Compressed air from a canister or air compressor unit can also blow off the accumulated dust. Foam filters can be sprayed with a garden hose or washed in a utility sink and allowed to dry. Panel filters should be checked for signs of excessive wear or mold. It's not unusual for an air conditioner to freeze during extremely humid days, so the filter may be temporarily frozen in place. If this is the case, turn off the unit and allow the filter to thaw out before attempting to remove it. If a foam-type filter becomes too damaged or dirty, you may want to purchase a replacement at the local hardware or appliance store.
Sometimes air conditioners develop more serious conditions and need to be cleaned thoroughly. Mold can develop around the outside of the unit, or vegetation may migrate towards the outside housing. Use a commercial mold killer or call a professional appliance repairman to reach the unreachable. Occasionally, the drain that usually allows excess water to escape will become clogged with debris. If you hear water gurgling around the system, you may need to vacuum out this dirty water and unplug the drain. Remove the front cover and unplug the unit from the wall. Use a wet/dry vacuum with a narrow crevice attachment to draw up as much standing water as possible. Grab a flashlight and look for any debris, which may be clogging the drainage pan. If you can't see a drainage area, watch where the water wants to collect and investigate that area. Major blockages may have to be opened by professionals. Examine your floor for any signs of water damage, which may be a sign that the air conditioner's drainage system is not working.

Thank for the reminder. Going to do this tonight[/url]

[IncognitoHFX]

[wanderer]

Good news and bad news.
First, the good news is that your filters aren't making you sick.
The bad news is that you don't have any filters!
You're looking at the cooling fins, not the filters. Your filters seem to be missing.

[IncognitoHFX]

[spliff]

Yeah that's them. wash and dry them and reinsert.

[IncognitoHFX]