Mold In Central Air Conditioning Unit

Mold in central ac systems.

Mold in central air conditioning unit.

Mold spores naturally traveling in the air attach to damp areas then begin to grow. Whether the mold is in your air conditioner unit or in your home heating ventilation and air conditioning hvac ducts it is a health hazard. Thirty four of them died setting off a panic that lasted until the centers for disease control identified the cause of the disease as bacteria spread through the air conditioning system. Most people are aware that exposure to household mold can cause illness.

Mold and mildew in air vents and ducts can smell wet rotten or stale. As soon as you switch your heater or air conditioner on the microscopic particles start floating and blowing out with air into the room. Mold does have a tendency to grow inside air conditioners that sit unused for a while. Since most mold in air conditioners grows on damp dirt and dust that has collected in the unit you must be sure to remove all dust particles from the area.

Fortunately it only requires a little time and some common household cleaning supplies to whip your air conditioner into shape and kill mold on an a c unit. The ac unit could have mold growth near the evaporator coils or the condensation drain line. It s likely that mold developed in the unit over the winter and you didn t notice it until you turned on. It probably does not surprise you to hear that mold in air conditioner systems can make you sick.

Mold in your air conditioning system can lead to a wide range of illnesses. These compounds can lead to serious health issues such as pneumonia and bleeding in the lungs. If you notice a recurring problem particularly in areas with poor ventilation or a lot of moisture get it checked out right away. If the drain line gets clogged the water in the area sits for long periods.

This can be a recipe for mold. Condenser coils pull moisture out of the air and into drip pans and if these become clogged they create the perfect environment for mold to grow. Look for the first signs of mold around ac vents in the ducts and in the drip pans. All types of mold can trigger allergic reactions in people sensitive to those substances but some types of mold produce toxic compounds known as mycotoxins.

When mold grows within the central heating cooling and ventilation system there are high chances that every room connected to the vents receives generous amounts of mold spores. When dirt and dust build up in air vents black mold can thrive which is why it s important to commit to a regular maintenance schedule. Video of the day volume 0. Mold is common in environments that have dirt dampness and darkness.

I often find mold on the exterior of air conditioning systems more often than the interior.