What can cause HVAC mold problems?

During the hot, humid months in Wendell, North Carolina, your HVAC system is working overtime to make sure your house stays cool and appropriately dry. It’s a great set-up, and when everything is working right, your HVAC should keep your air clean and your family healthy.

Unfortunately, things can go wrong, and that hot humid air can contain a lot more mold spores than the dry, colder air Wendell experiences during the winter months. Mold is all around us at all times and in pretty much all places. It’s not often harmful, but small problems in your HVAC system can make your air conditioner and ducts breeding grounds for a harmful infestation.

Here are the main causes of mold problems in HVAC systems.

Condensation

This one is going to be a common thread throughout this article, as mold needs moisture to flourish and most problematic mold growth in your HVAC system or air conditioner can be traced back to excessive amounts of water, usually from condensation. 

Drip pans

Mold can grow pretty easily in a drip pan if it is not regularly cleaned or there is a problem with your unit that’s causing excess condensation to accumulate. Dirt, water, and usually darkness are present in HVAC drip pans, creating the perfect storm for mold growth in the absence of regular cleaning and maintenance. 

Condenser coils

Come on. “Condensation” is baked into the name. These critical parts do a ton to make sure the air in your home is cool and dry, but they’re common places for condensation to stick around. If your AC unit is on a shady side of your house and/or hasn’t been cleaned recently, this is a frequent culprit for growing unwanted mold.

Poorly sealed ducts

If you’ve ever been in a house where you’ve seen water dripping from the ducts during the summer, it’s pretty safe to assume that malfunction was caused by poorly sealed ducts. When hot, humid air mixes with cold, dry air, condensation forms. You know this by looking at that nice glass of iced tea on a summer day! Leaky ducts allow this reaction to occur inside the dark (and often dusty) air tunnels of your home, creating the perfect place for mold to grow!

If you want to prevent mold growth, regular HVAC maintenance is the key. Cleaning helps prevent mold growth, and HVAC inspections can catch mold problems early before they become disastrous. To get on our calendar for the spring season, give us a call or schedule online!