The warmer months are here, which means we rely on our AC units to keep us cool. If there’s enough mold in or around the vents, it can spread in the air, causing allergy like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, irritated nose and throat, and itchy eyes. The mold spores irritate and inflame the airway and lungs, causing coughing, sneezing, sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma attacks, and other respiratory problems. Mold hurts the overall indoor air quality of your home. Mold in a home can lead to serious health issues and it doesn’t take long for the symptoms to begin. Air conditioners work by taking air from the outdoors. You can use this description of how mold and mildew look, but can also search online for images to be sure. Read more at R&R Mag… So if you notice a musty, wet, stale or rotten smell in your house or particular rooms, especially when your AC unit is running, that’s a sign you may have mold. So if you notice a musty, wet, stale or rotten smell in your house or particular rooms, especially when your AC unit is running, that's a sign you may have mold. Now that we know what causes mold, here are some signs that you might have mold in your HVAC unit. According to a World Health Organization report, dampness and mold exist in 50% of American homes. The result produces a slime and smell from the mold off-gassing. We did not distinguish among dampness, mold, dampness or mold, and dampness and mold … You may also be able to see the presence of mold around drip pans, air ducts, and within intake vents. You've checked the refrigerator, the bathroom, and behind the washing machine, but you're still coming up empty. SYMPTOMS. This is especially true during warmer months or for those who live in humid areas. The dust and moisture now activate the mold spores and bacteria to life. Fax: (254) 836-4222 Air conditioning systems tend to collect dust, both in the unit itself and within the air ducts. Mold Do you have mold in your A/C? This can, in fact, lead to mold growth within your air conditioner! To prevent mold build-up in the future you should: 1) Replace your air filters every three months. Heater and Air Conditioner Mold Removal Mold can cause you and your family to experience some potentially dangerous health conditions. So, now that you know how to identify the signs of mold, what do you do about it? So it's no wonder it serves to warn you against mold too. Sometimes mold symptoms...Read the rest of this entry Our body protects us in many ways. Just how Do You Tell? Check your air ducts, intake vents, and drip pans. Other indications are headaches, nausea and itchy eyes. Exposure to mold can make you sick in several ways. Itchy eyes, nose and throat 5. But once it has started to grow, it can be a process to remove. Some people who have been exposed to mold report other symptoms, including: Headaches; Memory problems; Mood swings; General aches and pains; However, researchers have not been able to explain how mold causes these symptoms. If it seems like your system is leaking, you may want to look into fixing or upgrading your system to avoid further problems. Now, you're probably asking what exactly causes mold? Mildew, a common type of mold, produces powdery gray or white stains. 6) Check back in the next few weeks. With black mold growing in your air ducts, you may notice symptoms like itchy eyes and sneezing growing worse when you’re indoors, particularly when you’re running the AC. VA If you see it, you have it. It’s easy for mold to spread from a window air conditioner to a nearby wall, especially if the air conditioner was leaking any moisture, and mold frequently grows inside walls where you can’t see it. The water which accumulates attracts more dust than usual, and both the water and dust fuel mold growth within the air conditioner. One of the first signs that black mold is growing in your air vents is a distinct musty, mildew-like smell in specific rooms or even throughout your entire home. At MCS our Staff is well trained in the different dispatching & invoicing systems that are currently being used in the demand service industry such as: 230 McNamara Lane mold spores or related agents of microbial origin. Whether you remove the mold yourself or have a professional come in to do the dirty work, remember to prevent future mishaps by properly caring for your central air system. How To Clean A/C Unit Mold. Keep reading to discover the signs and causes of mold in your central air system, and what you can do about it. Signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis caused by mold allergy can include: 1. “Without proper care and maintenance, mold can actually grow on the inside which has the potential to lead to health problems like wheezing, congestion and throat irritation,” said Consumer Reports Home Editor Paul Hope. You may have year-round symptoms or symptoms that flare up only during certain times of the year. 2) Insulate your air ducts to reduce condensation in your unit. In small amounts it can be difficult to see mold, and depending on where in the air conditioner unit the mold is growing, it may be very hard to see it without taking apart the unit. Moisture, in the form of condensation, also tends to form in units. Although a mold allergy is the most common problem caused by exposure to mold, mold can cause illness without an allergic reaction. If you spot these fungi in your system, you're more on the ‘infestation’ side of a mold problem and need professional help immediately. Do you even know? To prevent scratches in your ducts, avoid using anything abrasive, like a wire brush, and opt for rags or a scrub brush instead. Many home AC systems help your home prevent this by removing humidity from the home, however, when the rain picks up it can dampen your AC. Grab a flashlight and inspect the inside of the unit for the signs of mold growth, which may appear as streaks or clusters of brown, black, or greenish stains, some of which may appear fuzzy. 1 Year No Risk If you are not satisfied with your new AC or Plumbing equipment we will adjust the system at no additional cost. In addition, regular vacuuming will also reduce dust. 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. Phew! Even the smell of mold can be enough to cause illness, even if there aren't any spores present. Health Symptoms. The thought of mold conjures up images of dark fuzzy patches and people in biological suits wearing latex gloves. 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. Dry, scaly skinMold allergy symptoms vary from person to person and range from mild to severe. You Notice Visible Signs of Mold Most common molds will make the home smell old and unpleasant. Sneezing 2. More mold can be present throughout the ducts, and special cleaners are needed to effectively remove the mold to help ensure it doesn't grow back. Microscopic mold spores, too tiny to see and very light, are easily inhaled. 4) Check and clean your drip pans regularly so water doesn't collect. Here are the six steps you should take to remove mold: 1) Choose the right cleaner. If your compressor fails in your ac unit in the first 5 years or heat exchanger fails in the first 10, we'll install a new one. This is especially true if the entire family or inhabitants of the house experienced similar symptoms which are mostly unresponsive to cold medications and antibiotics. Unfortunately, your central air system is the perfect home for mold. Mold is detrimental for indoor air quality, producing an unpleasant musty odor and causing allergic reactions. If there is black mold growing in your air vents, you may notice a musty aroma when you run your AC. Read more at ABC7NY…. The smallest amount of mold left behind can be enough to start a whole new colony. So don't wait for a mold problem to worsen. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to mold include hives, rashes, and trouble breathing caused by swelling of the throat. They grow, reproduce, die and the new generation lives off the old. Coughing, wheezing, congestion, and irritated eyes, throat, or skin are among the symptoms that can be caused by mold in the home. Cough and postnasal drip 4. Mold often increases in the unit’s water pools. 2) Find the right protective gear. (254) 836-4304 1) Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory complaints. Since your central air system is stable and has no light shining through it, it becomes the perfect environment for pesky mold to make their home. In this case, you’ll want to grab a flashlight and check for signs of mild in the ductwork. Because there are no government standards for healthy indoor mold levels, be vigilant about observing your health and … Appearances can be deceiving, but not when it comes to mold… Put on a face mask, eyewear, and protective gloves. What To Do About Mold in Your Central Air System. Mold is detrimental for indoor air quality, producing an unpleasant musty odor and causing allergic reactions. You experience symptoms of mold-related illnesses, including shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, sneezing, snoring (if you don’t normally snore), rashes, itchy skin, asthma attacks, irritated eyes, sore throat, headaches, respiratory infections, and fatigue. Mold allergy causes the same signs and symptoms that occur in other types of upper respiratory allergies. The idea of having dangerous mold spreading throughout your home through the air vents can be nerve-wracking, but there are some simple signs that can tell you if that's the problem. The team at Dynamic Heating and Cooling are experts at tackling mold in HVAC systems and will give you fast, top-quality service. This causes dust to build up in the ducts, which contains food for mold. Do you notice a patchy black residue? Killing mold on an A/C unit is not as difficult as you might think. Map & Directions [+]. Surprisingly there are many people that an unaware just how many years their HVAC ... 15510 Montanus Dr. Suite B If the air in your home isn't moist, the condensation will evaporate into the air instead of collecting in the unit. If so, that's another sign of mold in your central air system. 2) There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture. In addition to replacing the ac unit, we recommend having a professional come in to check for the presence of mold in the wall around the window in which the mold ac unit was installed. Our body protects us in many ways. As soon as you suspect your AC unit may have mold or mildew, give us a call! If it stands unused for extended periods (like in the wintertime), mold spores will get a … If you can smell mold whenever you start or run the AC, you have a mold problem there. Yes, we all know that distinct smell of mold. Lastly, mold likes to grow in dark, undisturbed places. If you aren't running a dehumidifier, the risk of condensation is greater since excess moisture will be less likely to evaporate into the air. If mold has infiltrated your duct system, one of the first signs will be a musty smell that spreads throughout the house. Gloves, eye goggles, and a mask are the essentials when dealing with mold. Have you noticed an odd, moldy smell in your home, but you can't seem to pinpoint where it's coming from? Maybe the culprit is actually your central air system. Combined with a damp environment, this creates a great place for mold to grow. The evaporator coil is also a significant trouble spot. Waco, TX 76708 A large majority of all studies used these risk factors. While mold in your AC unit may not be as scary, it can still have detrimental effects on your body by contributing to serious respiratory illnesses. How To Remove Mold From Air Conditioner Ducts You could call in a professional mold tester to test the unit to determine if there is mold in it but it would probably be more affordable in the end to simply go out and buy a new air conditioner. How Does Mold in Air Conditioner Systems Make You Sick? Either disinfect or dispose of anything you used to clean up the mold. In the same fashion, another sign you may have mold in your HVAC system is if your body or your pet's body reacts, displaying certain symptoms. You may notice the pungent nature of the smell increases as you run the air conditioner, particularly if mold spreads to the air ducts. Can You Get Rid of the Moldy Smell in Your Car’s AC? Email: info@acandplumbing.com, 5 Signs Your Commercial HVAC Is in Desperate Need of Maintenance, 5 Things You Should Know About Commercial HVAC Repair, 7 Signs You Need to Repair Your Walk-In Cooler or Freezer, A Beginners Guide to Air Conditioner Maintenance in the Office, Signs You Have Mold in Your Central Air System (And What to Do About it). The final and most worrisome but sure sign of mold in your AC unit is the actual sight of it. Nobody likes mold in their homes. You should watch out for the following symptoms caused by mold in air ducts: • Irritated feelings in your throat, nose, and eyes. Those who are particularly sensitive to mold may want to consider investing in coveralls to ensure you won't be exposed to it during removal. Even if the mold in your home isn’t prevalent enough to cause these symptoms, it can cause a disgusting stench in your house, especially if it gets into your air conditioning system. In the lab an analysis will tell you more about the mold species living in your ac unit. 22701 Read more at Bob Vila…. Mold on Window Air Conditioner Styrofoam and Other Places Sometimes you are aware there is black mold in window ACs due to the musty, tell-tale odor when you turn it on, or it has been running for a while. • Persistent headaches whenever you are at home—but you are ok when you go outside. Take a deep breath - the worst is over. If properly designed, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) cleaners that use ultraviolet radiation from UV lamps may destroy indoor biological pollutants such as viruses, bacteria, and some molds that are growing on the moist interiors of HVAC surfaces (e.g., cooling coils, drain pans, or ductwork). Symptoms vary based on the types of mold that you’re exposed to, but in general, you might experience wheezing, watery eyes, coughing, and rashes. Once you have a mold-free home again, you'll probably want to take some preventative steps to ensure that it stays that way. Mold can also cause infections or irritants and toxic reactions. Mold in your air conditioning system can lead to a wide range of illnesses. 15510 Montanus Dr. Suite B The final cause of mold in the ac unit is from not running it regularly. If people or pets in your home start exhibiting symptoms whenever the AC is on, mold in air ducts might be the cause. If you have a wound, it uses its clotting factors to make sure you don't bleed out. 5) Dry the entire area. We included in meta-analyses only the studies with reports of dampness and/or mold as risk factors1. Mold in homes is more common than you may think. The final and most worrisome but sure sign of mold in your AC unit is the actual sight of it. So if you notice you or your pet showing symptoms similar to those in allergy and congestion medicine commercials, you may have mold in your unit. If you are experiencing nasal and chronic respiratory symptoms that you cannot explain, you may have a mold problem. Culpeper, 5) If you notice any wet areas, dry them immediately. Some people can even experience infections and respiratory illnesses that may require hospitalization. 6) Have your ducts regularly inspected and cleaned by a professional. Remember: mold is persistent! Usually, these allergic reactions are relatively minor, but in some cases, they can be fatal. Black mold can be very dangerous if inhaled and constant exposure can cause many health effects. 3) Use a dehumidifier. The easiest way to do this is removing the air conditioning air filter. Mold can be the cause for all sorts of respiratory health problems, including chronic cough, wheezing and an increased incidence of asthma attacks. If you see signs of mold, then you may have to take some steps to further prevent mold. Culpeper, VA 22701. While hiring a professional might be your best bet to ensure the job is done right, you can also take the steps to remove the mold in your central air system yourself. The first sign of mold the homeowner typically recognizes is a musty smell that fills the room often without the visual detection that there are active mold spores present. 4) Scrub the area down until all the mold is gone. At McNamara, our goal is to be the complete resource for all our customers’ mechanical needs, weather that is meeting their demand service needs or spending time customizing a solution to meet their facilities needs. Unplug the unit, remove the front grille cover (most snap off but some are held in place by screws), and then pull out the filter beneath the grill. Mold has a distinctive musty smell. People allergic to mold sometimes know it's nearby when allergy symptoms start - coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, an asthma attack, etc. So it's important to be able to tell if you're dealing with a mold problem in your AC system. Well, mold can grow as long as the following three factors are present: food, moisture, and a stable environment. Mold is a common issue in building interiors with poor humidity control, and the US Environmental Protection Agency recommends professional remediation when a mold patch exceeds 10 square feet. Some people can even experience infections and respiratory illnesses that may require hospitalization. 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. To begin with there are the standard mold symptoms that usually resemble sinus trouble; runny nose, stuffy nose, and sinus headache. Inspect the unit to determine the extent of the problem. Prevent Mold Growth – Frequently cleaning/replacing the air filter helps to minimize the dust which your AC unit draws in. More specifically, one out of every six allergy sufferers' symptoms can be blamed on mold in their central air system, according to a study done by the National Institutes of Health. However, cleaning out the unit to ensure that the mold is dead is slightly more difficult. Read more at R&R Mag…. Other symptoms are commonly reported. One of the best places to inspect for mold problems is to visually inspect the filters and take mold samples. These symptoms get worse when you turn on your AC unit. Infections caused by mold can lead to a variety of problems from flu-like symptoms to skin infections and even pneumonia. Mold is a harmful fungus that grows in homes, preferring environments with moisture, humidity, and warmth for growth. The worst forms of mold actually create mycotoxins, a toxic substance that leads to even further medical issues. Dust contains all kinds of organic material, such as pollen and dead skin cells, which is essentially food for mold. So that we can enjoy a comfortable and healthy ... How old is your HVAC system? The mold grows on dust and dirt also collected on the air conditioning filters. The EPA recommends a mixture of detergent and water, but several commercial mold removals are available as well. Condensation, spills, and leaks can all cause water build-up which can lead to mold growth. Watery eyes 6. Appearances can be deceiving, but not when it comes to mold. Our olfactory sense can link certain smells to memories from decades ago. Don't be fooled if it easily wipes away. 3) Spray the area with your chosen cleaner, and let it sit for a few minutes. Call us & let our staff meet your facility needs today! Every mold spore has to be gone for this to work! If your unit does begin to accumulate condensation, a dehumidifier could help. Does ultraviolet (UV) radiation from UV lamps kill mold? The reason black mold likes to fester here is that these particular materials have cellulose, which is the cornerstone of the black mold’s diet for growth. If you eat something that's disagreeable with your body, it ejects it through diarrhea or vomiting. So if you notice you or your pet showing symptoms similar to those in allergy and congestion medicine commercials, you may have mold in your unit. So, now that you know how … Coughing, wheezing, congestion, and irritated eyes, throat, or skin are among the symptoms that can be caused by mold in the home. If you choose to disinfect your equipment, make sure to be thorough because mold can be transferred from surface to surface. If you start smelling it in every room of your home, then it could be caused by your central air system. Want to learn more about what you can do to improve the quality of your home? Check out the services we offer. This smell of a dirty sock now flows through the home. These compounds can lead to serious health issues such as pneumonia and bleeding in the lungs. A more tell-tale sign is if you notice that the smell gets worse when you try to turn on your air conditioner. Runny or stuffy nose 3.