HVAC Mold: What Homeowners Need To Know

Most modern homes have heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, which regulate your home's temperature, humidity, and air quality.

The HVAC system can be made up of a wide variety of parts, but in most contemporary homes, it typically consists of the heating unit, also known as the furnace, the air conditioning unit, the ductwork, and the air handler, which houses all these parts as well as the blower fan and other specialized machinery.

To maintain your home safe and comfortable, you must regularly maintain your HVAC system. Poor indoor air quality or major health concerns might result from failing to check for gas leaks, utilizing the proper filter for the air handler unit, letting coolant levels become low, or changing the filter when necessary.

What occurs when the odor coming from your air conditioner becomes unpleasant? There could be mold inside of it. When it develops inside your air conditioner, mold can be harmful.

Mold can quickly spread throughout your home if you don't address it. To prevent the spread of mold in your air conditioner, it's crucial to learn how to remove it.

Is HVAC Mold A Common Problem?

Since mold is frequently found in household dust, your HVAC system's interior will always include some mold. However, it is not typical nor desirable for there to be visible mold growth on the inside of your system or your ductwork.

This is almost always brought on by high indoor humidity levels or another moisture issue near or inside the air handler unit or ductwork.

Therefore, visible mold and moisture control are the keys to a healthy HVAC system, even though there is no such thing as a "mold-free" home.

Signs Of Mold In The HVAC System

Visible mold, which may begin as little green or black flecks, is the most noticeable indication of mold growth. The specks may enlarge and even take on a fuzzy appearance with time. Black mold can also form, so you have to be careful.

Unfortunately, you cannot detect mold if it is covered by paint or wallpaper, but you can notice bubbling or peeling paint, which may be a sign of mold growth.

Another clear symptom is a musty smell emanating from within your home. Suppose the odor only appears when the system blows cold or warm air. In that case, this is especially problematic since it could indicate that the mold is inside the ductwork, which can be difficult to identify and clean without expert assistance.

Last but not least, exposure to mold can make you unwell, especially if you already have breathing or allergy issues. Even if you don't, mold spores and toxins can make your skin and eyes itch, and you might even experience symptoms similar to a cold.

Preventing HVAC Mold

Avoiding visible mold from developing in your HVAC system is far preferable than having to fix it afterward. Here are some suggestions for maintaining your system's health and effective operation.

Keep Your Drain Pans Clean

Consistently try to clean your drain pans. Since the deep seal trap prevents standing water from draining, it frequently accumulates in the drain pans. Your HVAC system develops various mold species due to the water and bacteria in the drain pan.

Invest In A Dehumidifier

A whole-home dehumidifier is an ideal strategy for combating humidity, which can be an ongoing battle. Dehumidifiers are the best defense against excessive moisture and a way to keep mold from invading your home.

Small portable dehumidifiers can dry out only one area. The moisture levels in your entire home can still be managed with the help of a whole-home unit and your HVAC system.

Purchase A UV Air Purifier

Before mold has a chance to move elsewhere in your house, ultraviolet air cleaners clean it out of your HVAC system. You and your family can breathe in clean, pure air as a result.

By using ultraviolet light to kill any mold spores and stop them from increasing in the future, the air cleaner interacts directly with your system or ducts.

It Is Advisable To Regularly Change Your Air Filters And Keep Your Air Ducts Dry

Without your knowledge, the ductwork in your HVAC system can store a significant amount of moisture and mildew. Get your HVAC system inspected to determine if any of your ducts are compromised. The best course of action is to replace any water-damaged components and clean or repair whatever ducts you can.

However, if your air filters are dusty, or even worse, moist, they won't function properly. They won't be able to capture toxins like mold spores and stop them from getting into your house. If you don't change the filters at least once a month, mold spores may find their way into your HVAC system.

Maintain Your HVAC System

Regular HVAC system maintenance not only aids in preventing mold from growing in air vents and other components of the system, but it also helps to prevent other problems.

Mold in the HVAC system spreads to the air filter and eventually the ventilation system. To maintain your HVAC system in good working condition, you should change the air filters frequently. Air filters cannot effectively trap contaminants, such as mold spores, when they are damp or covered in dirt or other impurities.

As a result, the mold spores can continue circulating in the air, pass through the HVAC system, and enter the interior air space of your residence or place of business. Additionally, have a professional inspect your HVAC system regularly.

This will guarantee that your HVAC system stays in working order and that any faults can be fixed before they worsen. Additionally, if a leak comes from your HVAC system, your heating, and cooling unit, or another part of it, have it looked out immediately.

Bottom Line

Cleaning your house is simple but maintaining fresh air in your home can be a real challenge. A major duty is ensuring that there are no dangerous particles, VOCs, or mold in the air that you and your loved ones breathe.

The fungus can easily establish a home in your residence due to the pervasive humidity, warmth, and water buildup. To ensure the right health of your family and pets, you must be cautious in keeping this unwanted visitor out of your home.

Markham Services has been the top service provider for HVAC services like air duct cleaning, A/C, and heating system repair and installs for more than ten years. Please contact us for a free consultation if you need any additional details on how to remove mold from air ducts.