Your HVAC System’s Moldy Truth

As a homeowner, there is nothing that can be more disgusting for you than mold. Mold may be good for some varieties of cheese from France, but it is definitely not good to have on your home. Mold on your bathroom? Definitely no. Mold on your basement? Definitely no. Mold inside your fridge? Definitely must not. And unfortunately, one area that mold may get attracted to and worse, thrive in your house, is your HVAC system. If you live in a humid area, this is one nightmare you may most definitely have to deal with. But how?

Why is there mold in my HVAC?!
As you may already know, there are two conditions for mold to thrive and prosper: moisture and warmth. That is why mold is likely to grow on your bathroom walls or in your basement. You will also notice mold in your fridge that is transferred from your food to your fridge that may not be efficiently be cooling anymore, which is why mold grows on the things you put there. Alas, if you live in a humid region like Houston, home of Air Check Mechanical Service, your AC’s ducts may be trapping moisture and thus, encourage the growth of mold. Another scenario is when an AC that is too large for the space it is installed, so the air is not dehumidified, which causes excess moisture that encourages mold growth.

Whenever the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system isn’t running, water droplets can collect in the air handler or ducts. Instead of evaporating, the water inside the system accumulates and gets warmer. This becomes the perfect place for spores to grow. Then, built-up dust, skin, and pollen particles act as fuel for mold infestation inside the air conditioning system.
(Via: https://www.callaqm.com/blog/mold-air-conditioning-hvac/)

How do you know if there’s mold in your system?
There are some tell-tale signs you may look for on an AC with mold. Just like in a room with mold, you can definitely smell a musty odor in the air the AC produces. When you develop an allergy or get sick because of the air your AC provides, there is most likely mold in its vents and ducts. Of course, if you have professionals ook inside your system, they may see mold already growing in the coils, the drain pan, and the ductwork.

When mold grows, it gives off a strong musty odor. You can notice the smell when your heater or air conditioner is running, and the smell will usually be stronger around the vent that contains the mold growth. As such, the odor will not necessarily be noticeable throughout the property but might be contained to a certain room. However, the smell can very well still be found in nearby areas and elsewhere in the building.
(Via: https://www.servicemasterrestore.com/servicemaster-kwik-cary/why-us/blog/2020/october/signs-of-mold-in-your-air-ducts-and-how-to-remove-it/#:~:text=Musty%20Odor&text=You%20can%20notice%20the%20smell,contained%20to%20a%20certain%20room.)

Some prevention steps
There are actually things you can do to discourage mold growth on your AC. For example, you can make sure that drain pans are regularly cleaned, so that standing water will not allow mold to grow on it. Disinfectants and mold inhibitors are also available specifically for use in HVAC systems. Dirty air filters may also allow the growth of mold, so replacing them regularly is encouraged. Finally, ducts have to be always dry to prevent mold from growing on them.

Stagnant air, combined with dark light conditions, can bring about condensation. This can encourage mold growth inside the ducts. That’s why you should keep furniture items—from drapes to couches—away from your home’s vents.
(Via: https://www.kingheating.com/blog/tips-to-prevent-mold-in-ductwork)

What to do when there’s mold on your AC
There’s really no need to panic when you have verified that indeed, there is mold on your AC system. Obviously, you will need to stop using your AC until the mold is removed from the system unless you want to get sick or be continuously allergic. You can actually deal with mold that has grown on your unit’s vents, but make sure you use rubber gloves, safety goggles, and a facemask (something I am suew you won’t have difficulty looking for these days) when cleaning them. Baking soda and bleach are readily available ways of cleaning mold and there are also mold removal solutions and inhibitors certified by the EPA if you want stronger cleaning agents and ways to prevent them from growing again.

Selection of the cleaning solution is the first and the most crucial step that decides the fate of the HVAC system inside your home and ultimately if you are successful in how to get rid of mold in air ducts. The cleaning agent you choose can either remove mold or let it fester secretly. Therefore, you need to be cautious when selecting a DIY solution for your mold problem.
(Via: https://www.anytimehvac.com/mold-in-hvac-air-ducts-how-to-get-rid-of-and-the-causes-and-signs-of-mold/)

For assistance on mold removal on your HVAC system, give us a message.

The post Your HVAC System’s Moldy Truth first appeared on Air Check Mechanical Service | AC Repair | Air Conditioning Installation.



from Air Check Mechanical Service | AC Repair | Air Conditioning Installation
via https://www.aircheckms.com/ac-installation/your-hvac-systems-moldy-truth/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Air Conditioning Replacement – Important Considerations

Image
Have you given any thought to getting a new air conditioner for this summer? An air conditioning replacement sure would make the house comfortable, now wouldn’t it? But don’t make the common mistake of assuming that upgrading to a more recent model of the air conditioning system you already have is the best option. It is especially important to consider how your conditions and needs have changed when purchasing a new air conditioning system. And there are other considerations that can help you save money and ensure your continued contentment with the new system. You might find that the best option for you is a system that is either larger or smaller than what you currently have, or one that utilizes a different kind of HVAC technology altogether. As you start your search, here are some things you should keep in mind. Make sure to provide the HVAC contractors you are thinking of hiring with all of the pertinent information. Here are six questions that will assist you in selecting t...
Read more

Heat Pump Repair: Tips To Avoid It!

Image
Even though heat pump air conditioning and heating systems have been around since the 1940s, they are still considered to be one of the “newer” types of heating and cooling systems. These systems provide a number of advantages in terms of home comfort, financial savings, and environmental responsibility. This is truly a versatile product that can help almost any homeowner that is looking to save on electricity, and keep their home comfortable. These units tend to be robust, but ignoring maintenance can result in expensive heat pump repairs. This article will help you avoid those! Those who already own one of these energy-efficient units will notice that there are several similarities and a few differences in terms of maintenance when compared to traditional air conditioner plus furnace-based HVAC systems. The following is a list of some of the maintenance tasks that you can perform yourself, as well as some situations in which you should contact an HVAC specialist like Air Check Mech...
Read more

Air Conditioning Replacement Vs. Repair

Oh, how our consumer-driven and capitalist society has always encouraged us to go for new! New is always best! Why exert too much effort in repairing something when you can just buy a replacement that you can rely on to better serve you? I hate to burst my own bubble here, but unfortunately, most Americans may not really have the bottomless amount of financial resources to fund a penchant for continually new things. On the topic of HVAC systems, this becomes all the more crucial as these equipment is not really the cheapest items you can buy at the supermarket to replace your current on. So, the question stands – Should you go for an AC replacement or just a repair your central air conditioner? Actually, there are a number of factors to consider when mulling this question. There’s your system’s lifespan. Has your system given you a great deal in terms of return on investment? Is the cost of repairing your system almost as high as a replacement for the entire system? Is your HVAC unit...
Read more