Update 9 June 2025: Due to the recall, these machines will not be available for a while. If/when they’re again released, they might be different. So I have removed the detailed advice from this post, leaving only the general overview of AC shopping considerations.
Update 8 June 2025: The Frigidaire was indeed a rebranded Midea, and it was very much the same on the inside. However, these units and a number of others have been RECALLED. The issue is mold accumulation, which I never had a problem with because I figured out how to deal with the residual moisture that I saw.
Update 19 April 2025: Frigidaire now has a U shaped AC. I bought one and it appears to be a rebranded Midea. The control panel and logo look different, but the rest appears the same, at least from what I can see without removing any screws. I will report back after I open it up and see the inside. This is the Frigidaire GHWQ085WD1.
If there’s a hot and humid season where you live, an air conditioner is important not only for comfort, but also to keep the humidity low so mold can’t grow. But it’s not always easy for a person with multiple chemical sensitivities to find the right AC solution. I’m going to list some of the concerns, and then show you the solution I came up with. If you want to skip over the MCS concerns and the story of how I worked toward my solution, you can scroll down to the My Solution section.
Concerns for People with Sensitivities
We want to keep outdoor air from coming in when neighbors are running clothes dryers, when there are forest fires, etc.
We may have trouble with the materials the AC unit is made of, if they outgas a lot of fumes into the living space.
We need to prevent mold and mildew (which is a type of mold) from colonizing the AC unit.
We want a low-commitment solution, so if it does not work out, we can get rid of it and try something else. Sometimes it’s hard to know before purchasing how much outdoor air the unit will let in, how much it will outgas, etc.
Types of AC
There are basically 4 types of air conditioners, and each has strengths and weaknesses. I’ve had some exposure to each of them in the various places I’ve lived and worked.
- Window AC: This is a roughly cube-shaped unit that sits in your window, so no holes are needed in your walls. It exchanges heat by means of a metal radiator. Disadvantages: They tend to grow mildew. And it is hard to know in advance how much outdoor air it will let in. Some are quite sealed, and others let in a bit of outdoor air. They do not condition a whole house, so you’ll need to strategize about where to place them, and probably will need one for each floor of a house at minimum.
- Heat pumps and split systems: These two types both have a heat exchanger in your yard, with air conduits that connect to the home’s interior. Cooled air is delivered throughout the whole house by means of ducts. You’d have to investigate each system to find out if it admits any outdoor air. Disadvantages: Expensive, requires professional installation/maintenance, and it is quite a commitment. The installation person will spend a lot of time working inside your home.
- Mini-Split: Similar to a split system, but smaller. Cannot condition a whole house unless the house is very small. There’s a unit that mounts on the wall inside the room, and the heat exchanger is outdoors, connected by pipes. This type does not admit any outdoor air as far as I know, and seems to have less mildew risk. Disadvantages: Professional installation is recommended (but some people are handy enough for a DIY installation, and you can see how-to videos online). Still a bit pricey from my perspective, especially for something that might turn out to be intolerable due to offgassing materials.
- Portable AC unit: Sits on the floor and has 1 or 2 hoses that run out your window to exchange air. It exchanges air, not just heat. Disadvantages: If you get a model that has only an exhaust hose (without an intake hose) you’ll be pushing air out the window, which means air will be pulled into your living space from cracks in various places to make up for that. Not only does this put you at risk of taking in bad air, you’ll also be pulling in humid air. If you get one that has both exhaust and intake hose, there may or may not be outside air getting into your living space; it depends on how the machine is designed.
My Air Conditioner Saga
I needed to replace my very old window AC unit a couple of years ago. It was nearly all metal and did not let in outdoor air, so I liked it. But each year I had to remove the cover and clean inside to reduce mildew, and there came a point when I was developing more health problems, was worried about mold, and could not get it clean enough. I kinda wanted a mini-split, but I decided against it because I wasn’t sure if I’d like it well enough after having paid a lot for it and someone to install it. I didn’t want a portable because I don’t have any floor space to spare.
First Try
I bought a new window unit, I don’t recall the brand. It got mildewy pretty fast and it was impossible to open and clean. I realized I’d need to do something different the next summer.
Second Try
I bought a different window unit with the idea that I’d pre-treat it with Concrobium, a water-based spray containing a mineral salt which prevents mold and mildew. I chose a U-shaped air conditioner from Midea. This style keeps the bulk of the unit more separated from your living space, reducing noise and offgassing issues. And it comes with a bracket to reduce the risk of your AC crashing the the ground when you’re installing or removing it.
I bought it 3 months before the hot/humid season, and allowed it to offgas in my cellar. I sprayed it with Concrobium for mildew prevention (I just sprayed the parts I could reach without removing any screws). I used it for a while and was happy with the very low plastic/chemical odor, but I realized that some outdoor air was getting in. And by the end of summer, the air coming in was mildewy. It was happening not only while the AC was running, but also when it was turned off. After the unit was removed in the fall, I took off the cover and discovered two little channels designed to let out any water that condenses in the unit. This was where air had been entering, after passing over the floor of the exterior part which had accumulated a lot of decaying crud over the summer. Thus the mildewy smell. I got rid of this AC and started over.
Third Try (a charm, I hope!)
This year (2024) I again bought a Midea U-shaped window AC. Armed with knowledge about the guts of it, I had a plan. I got the exact same model as before. There’s a newer model of the U-shape that’s more efficient, and qualified for a state energy efficiency rebate, but I was worried it might be configured differently so I passed it up.
The Midea model #MAW08V1QWT was what I got.
There are also the MAW10V1QWT and MAW12V1QWT, which are more powerful, rated for a larger area. I think it is highly probable that the 10 and 12 are configured the same inside as the 8 that I got, but I cannot say for sure. If I ever buy one or hear from anyone about them, I will try to provide confirmation here.
My Solution
The rest of this article used to be a description of my solution, followed by detailed instructions on preparing and maintaining the unit. However, since there was a recall, I have removed that part until such time as they are being sold again and I can confirm that they are of a similar design.
If this article made your life better, please consider tipping me at the Support page to help maintain the website and defray the cost of my air conditioner experiments.