Evidence Of Mold In Your Home Air Conditioning System
Because its so dangerous to have mold growing in your home, you have to be vigilant to spot signs of mold in your A/C equipment. Mold has a tendency to hide in most components of air conditioning systems where it isnt always easy to see. More importantly, if mold spores never actually sprout, you may not be able to detect them at all with the naked eye. The best way to know if your air conditioner, ventilation system, or general living environment are affected by mold is to have a certified HVAC company take a look.
HVAC professionals have the skills and necessary experience for identifying mold problems even when mold spores remain microscopic. Understanding this, you should still be on the lookout for the following indicators of mold development:
Is Mold A Problem In Your Home
If mold seems to plague your home, theres a problem somewhere.
Your Central AC System If you have central air conditioning, mold can build up in your ducts. This is especially true if your ducts are the wrong size and/or if your AC or heat pump is the wrong size. These issues might not allow the dehumidification process that goes with air conditioning to be complete enough. Water condenses on cold, dusty ductwork sheet metal, and mold spores have all they need to grow.
We highly recommend having the system looked at by an HVAC professional. Getting two opinions about what the problem is and how to solve it is a good idea.
Your Home or Building You should definitely try to eradicate mold in your home or building. If thats not possible right now, or until it is done, an air purifier designed to remove mold spores from the air is a good short-term solution. Once the mold has been removed, the air purifier will keep your air cleaner and more breathable.
How To Spot Black Mold In Your Air Conditioner
Is black mold in an air conditioner dangerous? Yes, so it is crucial to know how to spot it in your house.
Unfortunately, many people dont realize they have black mold in their house until they are sick. Below are some common signs to be aware of that could indicate black mold in your air conditioner unit.
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How To Get Rid Of Mold In Your Hvac System
Despite regularly inspecting your system, you are still getting complaints about the smell , here are some tips you can share with your HVAC contractor for cleaning it up:
Top Tips Before You Start Cleaning Mold From Air Conditioners
Many people overlook the protective wear and take it as regular cleaning of their air conditioner unit. When you are self-cleaning the mold from your unit, ensure you have protective wear to protect you from touching and inhaling mold spores.
Also, you want to do the cleaning in a well-ventilated room. This will minimize any risks of taking in the mold spores.
Also, remember to be careful when handling bleach.
Also Check: What Is Toxic Mold In Homes
Contact Townsend Energy For Expert Hvac Services
Townsend Energy provides superior HVAC services throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. We are staffed by friendly and highly trained technicians who all have professional certifications. They can handle your system tune-ups and repairs, and they can even replace or install all-new cooling equipment. With their service experience, theyre guaranteed to service your heating and cooling equipment correctly.
When you hire Townsend Energy for mold prevention and general HVAC services, youre sure to get competitive pricing. You can additionally count on our maintenance services to save you energy, lower your carbon footprint, and improve your home comfort. If your HVAC equipment needs to be replaced, you can even count on us to help you find the right model. Everything that we do for our clients is backed by our solid guarantee. If you want to schedule an appointment, call Townsend Energy right now. Our onsite estimates dont cost a thing.
How To Prevent Mold In Air Conditioner
Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to prevent mold from developing in your air conditioner:
- Reduce moisture. The easiest way to avoid moisture build-up in an AC unit is back when you purchase it. Look for an AC unit with humidity control. Many modern units vent water vapour with air. If you have a unit that is designed to collect water in a reservoir, empty it regularly.
- Avoid organic debris. In addition to water and air, mold needs organic matter to breed. Clean or replace your air conditioners filter regularly, and vacuum the interior to clear out any dust and debris. Dont give mold any food to live on!
- Keep unit running while on vacation. Mold tends to build up when the air conditioner is not running and the air is still. Keep your unit running, even when on vacation. To reduce energy consumption, you can set the target temperature higher so it runs less often, but dont shut it off altogether.
Unfortunately, air conditioners represent a particular problem area for mold, since they push the air and mold spores through the house and into the air you breathe. The risk of black mold in particular makes it important to be vigilant about mold in air conditioners and nip problems in the bud.
It may feel intimidating, but dont feel discouraged. Knowledge is power, and knowing to keep an eye out for mold in your air conditioner will help you keep your home healthy and happy.
Get Special Gift: Industry-Standard Mold Removal Guidelines
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Prevent Mold In Window Air Conditioner
If youre thinking youd rather put in the work to prevent mold in window air conditioner parts rather than break out the scrub brush and gloves each summer, were here to help.
- Remove dust from the unit to deprive mold of its food source. Use a vacuum to remove dust particles from the front portion of the unit.
- Use fan mode occasionally to dry out any exposed parts of the unit that may have become damp with condensation.
- Change or clean your filter as suggested by the user manual.
- Inspect the unit monthly while its being used to ensure mold isnt going undetected.
- Clean the unit thoroughly once the summer season is over.
- Protect the unit with a durable air conditioner cover while its stored away after the summer season.
How To Detect Mold In Your Window Air Conditioner
Most homeowners expect to discover mold in basements, leaky areas around roofs, and under carpets that are old or that have gotten wet at one time. But, not many are aware of the danger that lurks inside their air conditioner.
The first sign of mold the homeowner typically recognizes is a musty smell that fills the room often without the visual detection that there are active mold spores present. Mold in a home can lead to serious health issues and it doesnt take long for the symptoms to begin.
If you continue to smell this odor, rest assured there is mold somewhere in your home. However, if the smell is stronger when you turn the unit on, chances are there is mold growing in it somewhere, even if you are unable to find where at the time.
Extensive mold removal and repair cost can accumulate just as fast if the mold isnt detected early. If the discovery of mold is early enough and prompt action is applied, the homeowner can get a handle on the danger before it progresses too far.
Chances are you will be able to see mold in your AC if you make a thorough inspection or if you remove the filter and examine it, there could also be visible traces there. Even if it is too soon to see active mold on or around the filter, yet the smell it there, do a detailed inspection of the coils and around the motor for any signs of onset growth activity.
Also Check: Can Black Mold Cause Joint Pain
Mold In Air Conditioners: How To Clean And Prevent Growth
Mold and mold spores can reduce the air quality in your home, especially if someone in your household has a mold allergy. Mold growing in the bathroom or basement is bad enough, but what if mold grows in your air conditioner or inside the ducts of your HVAC system? We will explain how mold might form in a window-unit air conditioner or in ductwork, how to prevent it, and what to do if you do find mold in your air conditioner.
Experienced Air Conditioning Technicians Servicing The Delaware Valley & Jersey Shore
The technicians at Oliver know how to clean mold from air conditioner coils. Additionally, our team knows how to check refrigerant levels, calibrate the thermostat, clean filters, and much more. Failing to clean and maintain your air conditioner will shorten the service life of the equipment. Contact Oliver today to ensure your air conditioner remains in peak condition.
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Effective Strategies For Preventing Mold In Your A/c System
Contents
In the event that you notice mold growing in your air conditioner, you should take fast action to prevent major and widespread property damage. The effects of mold damage can be incredibly costly to reverse. Moreover, your home insurance will only cover repairs resulting from mold damage when this damage is the result of a covered event like a faulty appliance or a flood. Ultimately, protecting your air conditioner from mold can save you lots of cash. Following is some additional info on spotting, dealing with, and preventing A/C mold.
What Causes Mold In Your Air Conditioning Vents
As long as theres moisture and the temperature is warm, molds will form in the air conditioning vents.
Here are the common causes of mold on AC vents.
Climate, Moisture & Humidity
The main ingredient for mold formation is water vapor. And, in a humid climate, theres usually moisture in the air, which gets trapped in walls. The condensation process then happens, causing mold to grow on the air conditioning vents.
Poor Ventilation
Imagine air trapped in a house where theres poor ventilation. The moisture trapped in the walls will soon become stale since it cant escape, and in no time, there will be a musty odor.
The stale moisture then forms mold around the AC vent in the bathroom and other damp places.
Oversized AC Unit
If theres one thing we encourage as HVAC professionals, every homeowner should install a suitable AC unit for their space. Theres always the correct size for every room.
Installing an oversized AC unit in a small space encourages mold formation. Such AC will provide quick cooling but will turn off before removing the excess moisture from the house. This moisture will then cause mold in the air conditioning vents.
AC Is Being Run Too Cold
Low temperatures can also cause mold formation in the air conditioning vents. When this too cold air mixes with the rooms warmer moisture, condensation happens.
This moisture build-up, in return, causes mold to grow in the AC vents.
Read Also: What Are Symptoms Of Getting Sick From Mold
Is Mold In An Air Conditioner Dangerous
If you discover the presence of mold in your air conditioner, that certainly is cause for concern.
The mold on your air conditioner is typically not that scary black mold, but it can still cause respiratory problems and other symptoms, especially for people with mold allergies, asthma, or other health conditions that compromise immunity. Children and the elderly are also more susceptible to the effects of mold.
If you or someone in your home has experienced a recent change in health that there is no apparent explanation for, it may be a good idea to have your HVAC system looked at to see if you have mold growing in your air conditioner or air ducts.
Symptoms to watch out for that may be linked to mold growth in your home include:
- Aggressive coughing
Everything You Need To Know About Dealing & Preventing Air Conditioner Mold
The United States Environmental Protection Agency states that mold needs oxygen, food, and moisture to form. Thus, any surface in your home thats moist could be subjected to mold brought, including your home air conditioning system. Air conditioner mold is especially hazardous given that it can spread throughout your entire living environment in virtually no time, causing serious health problems among all human residents and pests. For this and other reasons, you should have your air conditioner inspected by a licensed HVAC technician on a regular basis.
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Mold Fast
How To Remove Mold In Hvac Air Ducts And Ceiling
Mold is the unwanted stranger in your home that sits anywhere it wants. When it chooses to take residence in your HVAC air duct, you know that your health is at risk.
Yes, indoor mold located in your HVAC systems ductwork, coils, and drip pans can be very dangerous to your health. Some of these molds produce mycotoxins known as toxic molds that can cause brain issues and even lead to death.
Theres no arguing about it, you need to get rid of molds that have found their way to your HVAC air duct or ceiling.
This article will guide you on how to remove mold from your HVAC air duct and ceiling before it gets too dangerous for your health but you must first know how to detect mold in these paces.
How To Remediate Mold In Hvac Systems
Before beginning remediation, you must find and eliminate the source of any excess moisture or water in the system. The next very important requirement is to shut off the HVAC system. You dont want a blower to suddenly come on during remediation efforts. Containment of the HVAC system is always a concern and should be established at the start of any mold removal process. The last thing you need is to allow the spread of any mold spores to unaffected areas or rooms.
When cleaning mold, there are many types of chemicals and cleaners that can be used. That said it could be very tricky, not to mention dangerous, attempting to accomplish this task. Professionals have several different mechanical means of cleaning including brushes, blowguns, air whips, and vacuums to dislodge mold inside of air ducts and then to push or pull the mold into specialized collection devices. They also know what type of antimicrobial or biocide chemicals can safely be introduced into an HVAC system for cleaning and sanitation purposes.
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Prevent Future Mold Growth
There are several things you can do to stop mold from growing in the first place after you have cleaned your unit. First, you should leave your AC on at all times. Your AC does more than cool down the air. It also conditions the air by removing moisture, which also makes your home more comfortable. Leave your AC on a continuous cycle.
Itâs also highly recommended to get on a routine maintenance schedule. You should hire a professional to inspect your unit at least once a year to make sure everything works as it should. A Day & Night Air professional will also tell you if you have the early signs of mold growing. They will conduct deep maintenance and clean your unit to prevent mold from developing initially. This will save you a lot of hassle. Although you are certainly capable of cleaning a unit on your own, it helps to have a professional do it to stop the problem from coming back.
Additionally, you need to identify and stop any leaks as soon as they form. Mold requires moisture to develop, so a leak in the system will lead to mold growth quickly. Mold also needs stale air, so if you turn off your AC often, then mold has everything it needs to thrive.
Read Also: What Causes Mold On Bathroom Ceiling
How Can I Prevent It
Prevention of mold growth is definitely something that can be done by homeowners. How to remove mold from air conditioner ducts is not a simple task. You might not be perfect in your attempts, but you can certainly minimize any chances of mold taking over your home. Here are some ways that you can prevent mold growth in your home:
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