Get up to $2000 tax credit on select AC systems! Call now to learn more.

Get up to $2000 tax credit on select AC systems! Call now to learn more.

Get up to $2000 tax credit on select AC systems! Call now to learn more.

Effects of Mold on Your Air Conditioner


What's growing behind your walls?

Mold from your AC unitOnce mold takes hold, it’s very hard to get rid of. Take steps to control it instead.

Molds are everywhere in the natural world. We see them on trees, under leaves and dirt, or even on decaying food. They’re so widespread because the conditions they need to grow - moisture, warm temperatures and a source of organic food matter - are very common.

Many people have reactions - allergic or otherwise - to molds, with symptoms ranging from runny noses and irritated throats to headaches and dizziness. And people with compromised immune systems can be even more seriously affected.

The last thing that any homeowner wants to see is a black patch of mold in an attic, crawlspace or closet. But because of Florida’s high temperatures and high humidity, it’s easy for mold to establish itself in an unnoticed corner of your home and then slowly spread. And while it’s very difficult and costly to remove mold once you’ve got it, there are steps you can take to prevent it from occurring in the first place, or at least from spreading very far.

There’s not much we can do about the outdoor humidity in Florida, but we can keep it outside where it belongs.

A well-maintained central air conditioning system can help with that by keeping temperatures reasonable and indoor humidity levels low.

Mold inside ac ductsWhat about moisture in other parts of the house, where the air conditioning doesn’t quite reach? As it happens, proper care and maintenance of your air conditioning system can help there too. Older HVAC systems can develop gaps and leaks over time, which can result in pooled condensation in and around your air ducts. This moisture, combined with the relatively warmer temperatures, provides a very favorable breeding ground for mold spores. Having a professional HVAC technician find and seal any gaps or leaks is an excellent way to slow mold growth in your home.

Dirty air ducts are another possible source of mold, which is why we recommend that you have yours cleaned regularly. It’s important to note that the EPA has never shown that duct cleaning conclusively prevents mold-related health problems from occurring; they recommend ducts be cleaned only as needed, and not as a routine service. However, many of our customers have told us that they find duct cleaning helps to mitigate their own allergy-type symptoms.

If you have a mold problem in your home, consult with a certified and licensed mold removal professional (in many jurisdictions, it is illegal for anyone else to attempt to remove mold). Make sure they treat the root of the problem, and not just its symptoms. That’s the best way to make sure the mold doesn’t come back.

SOURCES:

EPA

Contact or Schedule a Repair Online!

Related Reading