Finding Mold in Your Air Conditioner Ducts

2/4/2021 (Permalink)

Mold growth in air duct system

Know The Signs Of Mold

Most offices, stores and other businesses clean their carpets, bathrooms and have regular pest control. One important task that gets missed is HVAC cleaning. Since it only has to be done twice per year, it is an easy task to forget. Unfortunately, forgetting can cause mold to build inside your ducts, which reduces your HVAC system's efficiency. Since you cannot see inside your ductwork, you should know the signs of mold.

Look for Moisture
If you have moisture, chances are you have mold. You will need to look for moisture in/on your:

• Air ducts
• Indoor unit
• Outdoor unit
• Vent covers
• Drainage pipe

Moisture can include standing water or sweating on the surface of your unit.

Look Inside Your Vents
Although you cannot look inside your ductwork, you can look inside your vents. Start by cleaning vents and opening them as wide as possible. If you want, you can remove the vent covers entirely. Then look inside. Look for white, grey or black spots inside the vent. If you see any of these, you need an HVAC cleaning due to mold buildup.

Follow Unusual Smells
When you turn your HVAC unit on for the first time in the spring or fall, it is normal to smell burning dust. It is not normal to smell anything earthy. Mold smells similar to rotting wood or leaves. If you have an unusual smell, track down where it is coming from, and you should find the problem.

Call In the Professionals
If you are unsure whether you have mold or not, it is time to call in the professionals. Not only can they help you find out if you have an HVAC mold problem, they can also take care of it for you.
A good HVAC cleaning is beneficial, particularly if you suspect that you have a mold problem. It also helps your system run more efficiently and prevents future issues.