{
  "id": 7547441,
  "title": "How to manage your air conditioner at summer's end",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/how-to-manage-your-air-conditioner-at-summers-end",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-15T12:32:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/20260915/how-to-manage-your-air-conditioner-at-summers-end"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As temperatures begin to cool in the mornings and evenings, many homeowners find their air conditioners working less. Still, if you've decided to turn off your unit for the season, think twice before doing so. Simply turning off the air conditioner in mid-use can lead to moisture buildup inside the unit. This is because the cold heat exchanger of an air conditioner causes water vapor in warm air to condense, much like condensation forming on a cold drink.\n\nIf you leave an air conditioner unused for a long time with this moisture inside, it can create an environment conducive to mold growth. The Ministry of Environment has stressed the importance of proper humidity control and regular ventilation to prevent such issues. Therefore, before you think your air conditioner has had its last season, continue running it in fan mode for a while. This allows the unit to fully dry out, reducing the risk of mold growth once you're ready to store it away for the winter.",
  "summary": "com. With cooler breezes arriving in the mornings and evenings, air conditioners that have been running almost nonstop throughout the summer are nearing their seasonal break. But if you have already put the remote in a drawer and unplugged the unit, thinking, “See you next year,” hold on. Once you are done with your final cooling session, you should not…",
  "key_points": [
    "Turning off AC mid-use causes moisture buildup inside the unit.",
    "Moisture buildup can lead to mold growth when unit is unused.",
    "Running AC in fan mode helps fully dry unit before winter storage."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "How to manage your air conditioner at summer's end",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/how-to-manage-your-air-conditioner-at-summers-end-7552910",
        "published": "2026-09-15T13:02:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}