Controlling Mold in Your Air Conditioning System

Mold lives everywhere including the inside of your air conditioning system. While having a small amount in your AC system is inevitable, this generally isn't a problem unless allergic or asthmatic people live in your home. However, unchecked mold growth will become a problem for everyone unless preventative measures are taken. Three of these measures are considered next:

Keep Your Air Filters Clean
Mold growth begins when spores land on a moist surface. If the material is digestible by the mold, it will grow and flourish. Your AC air filters prevent mold spores from being drawn into your home. However, dirty air filters restrict airflow through them, which causes the outside air and its spores to by-pass the filter and come into the duct system through other entry points. In addition to spores, outside dirt and dust are also drawn inside the ducts and provide nutrients for the mold.

Fix Leaky Ducts
Mold requires a moist environment to grow. This is best done by keeping the humidity levels below 60% in your home. Ducts with leaks allow moist humid air into your AC system. This humidity then condenses on chilled surfaces within the ductwork and provides the damp conditions required by mold.

Properly Size Your Air Conditioner
An AC unit that's too large for the space it services will cool the air before it removes the humidity. When the air conditioner shuts down, the humid air condenses on cooled surfaces, which provides moisture for mold growth.

Don’t hesitate to contact your local Fort Washington MD Air Conditioning Repair professionals with any questions or concerns.