How to stop car air conditioning from affecting your health
The presence of fluid under your car isn't always a sign of impending expenses. A prime example is water dripping from the air conditioning system. However, this indicates the accumulation of moisture in the ventilation system, which, over time, can lead to the growth of mould. Thankfully, there's a way to address this issue.
3 May 2024 18:43
The onset of early May has brought with it more sunshine and warmer temperatures. As a result, many drivers have started using their air conditioning more frequently, although not everyone realizes that neglecting it during the winter is a mistake. Let's concentrate, though, on its increased usage during the warmer months.
So, where does the water under the car come from after using the air conditioning? It’s all due to the significant temperature difference between the surroundings and the air conditioning system components. When you stop driving, the evaporator, which is near the fan, stays cool because the refrigerant no longer circulates through it.
This means the fan can no longer bring in cool air, and the mentioned temperature difference causes water to condense on the cool evaporator surface, both outside and inside. Consequently, water begins to accumulate in the system, creating ideal conditions for the growth of mould, which can negatively affect not just the smell inside the car, but also our health.
How can we solve this?
Preventing water from accumulating in the system can be done by switching off the air conditioning about 5 minutes before you finish driving, allowing the fan to dry the evaporator. Another effective strategy is to raise the temperature for 1-2 minutes before you get out of the car.
These practices not only help prevent the development of mould and fungus, thereby eliminating bad smells, but they also better prepare us for the temperature outside. Large temperature differences can have a negative effect on our health, so it’s advantageous to leave the car already adapted to the external conditions to some degree.
Although regularly turning off the air conditioning before reaching your destination may be challenging for some to stick to, and others might view it as a discomfort, it's worth trying out this method. Both mould and significant temperature variations can adversely affect health. Meanwhile, moisture is definitely not something you want inside any vehicle.
