My child is fine at my place, unwell at his father's – could it be the unit there?
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7-year-old boy, rhinitis and cough every weekend spent at his father's in Berceni (block, 8-year-old 12,000 Gree, small bedroom). At my place in Popești-Leordeni, with a 2-year-old Midea, nothing. The father says it is 'my fault', that I spoil him. How do I explain it might be the unit, without a fight?
What is really happening
Allergy symptoms cannot identify the source on their own. Dust, outdoor pollen, damp surfaces and other indoor exposures may contribute. An air conditioner can cool and remove moisture, but does not diagnose an allergy or guarantee a target humidity. Inspect filters and drainage and follow the clinician’s advice for the person concerned.
- Particles of different sizes move through the air.
- The filter retains some particles, depending on its type.
- A standard filter is not equivalent to HEPA filtration or gas removal.
Particles are symbolic and not to scale.
- When a contaminated air conditioner starts, airborne fungal concentration in the room can jump from 40–920 to 5,500–100,000 CFU/m³. [Indoor Air, 2023]
- The blower (cross-flow fan) is the most fungus-contaminated component of a split unit, more than the filter or the front of the evaporator. [Indoor Air, 2023]
- In children, home dampness and mould are associated with more respiratory infections and symptoms, according to recent meta-analyses. [Paediatric Respiratory Reviews, 2023]
- Mould odour in the home is associated with about 73% higher risk of developing asthma (OR 1.73), more than visible mould (OR 1.29). [PLOS ONE, 2012]
What we do on site
- We can talk to the child's father directly by phone, neutral, technical – it often helps.
- At his place: collection cover, cleaning solution, pressure wash in place of evaporator, roller, pan, then sanitising solution and drying.
- Outdoor unit, washed in place.
- Before/after photos sent to both parents – the bag water at 8 years is the most convincing argument.
- See current rates on the Prices page.
What you can do yourself
- Suggest the simple test to the father: torch behind the filters, unit off – if the roller is grey or black, he has his answer.
- A symptom log over 4 weekends: 2 before, 2 after sanitising.
- At both homes: 25–26 °C, louvre up, 'Fan' before shut-off, filters every two weeks.
What NOT to do
- Follow medical advice for symptoms. If the unit is suspected of mould contamination, stop using it and arrange an assessment before restarting.
- Do not send the child with a 'spray for the unit' – it does not fix it and sours the relationship.
- Do not write the symptoms off as 'psychological' until the physical cause is excluded.
Prevention
Plan maintenance according to the appliance manual and what is found during inspection. Keep any medical follow-up separate; cleaning does not guarantee that symptoms will resolve.
When to call us
0764 012 943, Monday–Saturday 08:00–20:00. Berceni and Popești-Leordeni are neighbours, we can do both the same day.
Maintenance does not replace medical care. CDC: mold and health · EPA: moisture and mould
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Read also
- Allergies, sneezing and irritated eyes from the air conditioner
- Air conditioning and small children
- Home humidity and air conditioning
Sources (7)
- onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2023/8984619
- www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1526054223000398
- www.osti.gov/biblio/1004161
- academic.oup.com/aje/article/194/12/3492/8249775
- journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0047526
- www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/881618
- iaqscience.lbl.gov/health-risks-dampness-and-mold-houses
The information on this page is educational and based on cited sources; it does not replace medical advice. We do not do repairs, installation or refrigerant circuit work.