Air Conditioning Service: Signs Mold Is In Your Air Conditioning
Is your commercial air conditioner smelling funny? Are employees or tenants complaining about a musty smell? If the answer is yes, there may be mold in your HVAC system and you may need an air conditioning service.
Mold is a common problem and can cause serious health problems. Let’s look at why mold grows in air ducts, and how to tell if there is mold in your HVAC system.
Why Mold Grows in HVAC Systems
Mold can grow when it’s warm and humid outside. Cold air passes through duct work and condensation forms. Water droplets gather in the ducts, and the dander, dirt, and other debris interact with the moisture and mold grows.
The presence of mold can also cause additional condensation, which exacerbates the problem. If you’re worried about mold in your commercial air conditioner, there are a few things you can look for.
Visible Mold
If you can see mold, that’s a good sign that there is a problem. Check the air vents and ductwork for visible mold growth. If possible, open grates and remove the air filter to see if you see green, white, or black patches. If you can’t readily do that, call us and we can look for you.
Another place mold can accumulate is the evaporator coils. The air handler is generally moist, and that’s the perfect place for mold and mildew to grow. Check out your evaporator coils to see if mold is growing, or, again, give us a call and we will.
If you see mold, it’s important to clean it immediately. You can use a bleach solution, but we highly recommend you have a professional to do the job for you so you can be sure the mold is gone.
Musty Smells from Your HVAC Ducts
One of the most common signs that there is mold in your air ducts is a musty smell. This is most noticeable when you first turn on the air conditioner after it’s been off for a while. If you notice this smell, there’s a good chance that mold is present.
If you have a musty smell in your commercial air conditioning system, call us and we will come out and take a look. We can test for mold and, if it’s present, we can clean your entire HVAC system to get rid of the problem.
Health Problems from Mold
If you or someone in your building is experiencing health problems that seem to be related to the air conditioning system, that’s another sign that there may be mold in the ductwork.
Common symptoms of mold exposure include:
- Allergy symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, throat irritation, watery and itchy eyes, and even skin rashes
- The same type of symptoms in those who do not suffer from allergies
- Dull headaches in occupants that go away when they get into fresh air
- Dizziness, nausea, and fatigue
If you or someone in your building is experiencing these symptoms, call us and we will come out to test for mold. If you’re at the point where employees or tenants are complaining, or you see a blatant mold problem, you need to act.
Mold won’t go away on its own. It will simply get worse over time. You need to have your HVAC system professionally and thoroughly cleaned to get things working properly in a safe way.
