Risks and Avoidance of Mold in the HVAC System

At My Buddy the Plumber, one of the top priorities of all our HVAC services is your indoor air quality. Whether we’re providing you with a basic tune-up or a full-scale furnace installation or other large service, we’ll help with filters and other solutions to keep your air clean and healthy all year long.

One of the key elements we’ll be protecting you against? Mold, which can form not only in your bathrooms and near plumbing areas, but also in or around several important HVAC components. Let’s look at why this is an issue, how you can identify mold, and a few basic steps you can take to prevent it from ever becoming a problem in your home.

Why Mold is an Issue

Mold is so undesirable in the home primarily because of the health risks it causes in humans and pets alike. It’s particularly well-known for instigating respiratory issues, including coughing, itching eyes, irritated nasal passages and other similar symptoms. It’s known to aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms for those who suffer from them, and in more serious cases of prolonged exposure can even lead to major diseases in the brain, lungs and other life-threatening areas.

Unfortunately, a few parts of your HVAC system present ideal conditions for mold if you aren’t careful. Areas like ducts, coils and drip pans contain the kinds of moisture content that harbors mold, and because these areas are in contact with all your home air before it reaches your lungs, this is a significant concern you should be aware of.

Identifying Mold Presence

The first signs of mold in many cases are visible ones – you can directly see it in some of the areas we listed above, particularly in or around ducts and vents. You also may find it in coils, registers and drip pans, so you should know where these are and how to check them periodically.

Another good indicator is odor, which is often present even if mold is hidden from the eyes. Mold tends to bring on a mildew-type smell in the home, and one good way to identify its location if you smell it is to turn the HVAC system off for 20 or 30 minutes – if the smell dissipates significantly during this time, it’s a sign that the mold is somewhere in the system.

Preventing Mold

Some basic tips for avoiding mold growth anywhere in your HVAC system:

• Keep all HVAC equipment free of dust, debris and excess moisture
• Properly seal all ducts and vents
• Note any moisture or condensation on or near ducts, and call for service if it’s found
• Replace your HVAC filters regularly
• Clean your drip pans often
• Maintain regular HVAC maintenance from our professionals

For more on how to identify and prevent mold growth in your HVAC system, or to learn about any of our heating and air services, speak to the pros at My Buddy the Plumber in Salt Lake City today.