Mold in AC Units is a serious problem because every time you turn on your air conditioner, it will blow tiny, invisible mold spores into the room. Mold spreads and grows easily and before you know it, you can have mold growing throughout the room. After that, it won’t take long before it begins to spread to other areas of the home. Mold growth in the home can lead to serious health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of mold-related illness are wide-ranging and include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, sneezing, irritated eyes, sore throat, headaches, respiratory infections, fatigue and a general feeling of malaise. It can also cost thousands of dollars to remove mold from the home.
Understanding Mold – Mold is a fungus that does not need light to grow. For mold to thrive, it needs warmth, moisture, and something to feed on. Unfortunately, mold spores can feed on any organic material, including dust, drywall, clothing, and more, so it is impossible to eliminate all sources of food for mold. Likewise, mold spores are always present and will cause a problem when they begin to grow out of hand.
Why Mold Grows – As an air conditioner unit works, both moisture and dust are pulled into it. Couple those ingredients with a dark interior, and you have a perfect environment to spawn mold spores.
How To Detect Mold in the AC Unit – You might see mold if you look carefully or you might see mold on the filter if you remove and examine it. You might not be able to see any mold, though, at least not right away. Small amounts of mold can be very hard to see, although given time the mold will grow and will probably become easier to see.
Another way to know if there is mold in your air conditioner is if there is a musty smell when you turn on your ac. Mold produces chemicals called microbial volatile organic compounds that give off a characteristic musty odor. If you smell that, there is mold somewhere in your home. If you smell it most strongly when you turn on your air conditioner, the mold is probably in the ac unit, even if you can’t see it.
Prevent Mold Growth – Frequently cleaning/replacing the air filter helps to minimize the dust which your AC unit draws in. In addition, regular vacuuming will also reduce dust. When you plan to turn off your AC unit, letting it run for about 30 minutes on just fan (no condenser running) will help to evaporate any remaining moisture inside the unit. This simple step can help to prevent a breeding ground for mold spores.
Remove Mold with Professional Services – If you’re concerned about mold in your home, contact Xtreme Home Improvement for a mold inspection. Mold in hard-to-reach places can be difficult to remove but we have the knowledge, experience and equipment to thoroughly handle the issue. If any mold is found, we’ll provide a written estimate for the cost of having the mold removed. There is no obligation, though, so even if you plan to handle any mold removal on your own, you can still benefit from some free professional advice.
Have a healthy and happy summer, staying cold with no mold!