Ever come home, kicked on the air conditioning, and noticed an unpleasant odor coming from your HVAC system/air ducts? As many already know, this can be a surefire symptom of mold inside your cooling system. Annoying and unpleasant? Yes. Preventable? Also yes!
How do I know if there’s mold in my AC?
There are a few ways to know or at least limit the problem down to mold growing in your AC system or air ducts. These can include:
Odor. Do you smell a musty, stale, or mildewy smell when you turn on your AC? Not sure where it’s coming from? This could very likely point to moisture and mold in your air ducts.
Symptoms. Are people or pets in your home experiencing symptoms in line with those of mold exposure? These symptoms include headaches, itchy eyes, irritated or sore throat and nose, and even nausea.
Visible mold. It’s important to inspect for signs of mold or true, visible mold. If you suspect there may be mold, there are a few places that you should look into: the AC ducts, drip pans, and around vents. Since AC systems pull moisture out of the air and release it into drip pans. These pans can easily become clogged, which makes the perfect environment for mold to grow. Since mold travels in the form of invisible spores, it’s impossible to truly know the reach of a mold infestation. However, if you can find patches of visible mold, you may be able to stop the spread of it throughout your house if you’re early enough.
How do I prevent mold growth in my AC in the first place?
Preventative maintenance. One of the best ways to avoid mold growth and other nuisances having to do with your HVAC system is to enroll in a regular HVAC preventative maintenance plan as well as a regular duct cleaning service. This can ensure that a professional is helping you out in preventing mold, as well as other repairs and regular maintenance.
UV air purifiers. Another tip is the use of UV air purifiers. This can come in the form of an attachment to your system or as a standalone system in your home. UV air purifiers are able to easily kill mold spores and other contaminants (bacteria, viruses, etc.) using advanced UV technology.
Dehumidifier. If you live in a particularly humid area, the use of a dehumidifier could help quite a bit in preventing mold. By taking out excess humidity that your HVAC system may not be capable of processing, you are largely reducing the probability of mold growth not only in your AC system but also in the rest of your home.
Don’t block vents. Blocked vents can cause a slew of problems, especially if they are being blocked for long periods of time. Blocked air vents invite condensation to stay in the vent, which can very easily eventually lead to mold growth. Make sure all air vents are free of obstructions so that the air stays moving, thus reducing the likelihood of mold growth.
Call a plumber. Plumbing leaks in the walls are regular culprits of mold growth anywhere in the home. A slow leak can cause loads of damage not only with inviting mold growth but with water damage as well. If you’re already suspecting there may be a leak, this could be an option worth checking out.
Ventilate high-humidity spaces. Places like kitchens and bathrooms hold humidity much more than others, due to the high use of water in each room. If either of these spaces has poor ventilation, it is very easy for mold to grow. Adding extra ventilation in these areas can help drastically with reducing the likelihood of mold growth. Not a fan of the idea of adding ventilation systems into these spaces? Turn on fans and open windows to manually get the humidity out of these spaces after bathing or cooking. It will make a difference!
The bottom line
Mold can be a beast to deal with, especially if it’s already got a tight grip on your home. Making sure to reduce the likelihood of mold is not only good for your wallet, but good for you, your family, and your pet’s health and safety.
Call us
Are you suspecting mold in your home and need a professional’s help? Noticing high humidity and need some tips on how to manage humidity to prevent mold? Please, don’t hesitate in giving us a call here at Tri-Point Refrigeration. We’re happy to hear from you and are excited to help you along the way.
For a direct line to any of our employees ready on the line to help you, please call…(512) 651-4565 for our Austin, Texas community (806) 686-0050 for our Lubbock, Texas community. Or check out our website at https://www.tripointrefrigeration.com
<a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/coronavirus-pandemic-disinfectant-protective-suit-mask-sprays-disinfectants-room_7542413.htm#query=mold&position=0&from_view=search&track=sph">Image by master1305</a> on Freepik