IAQ – Indoor Air Quality

How to Avoid and Combat Mold in HVAC Equipment

Mike Rampey ·

mold in HVAC.jpg

Although your HVAC equipment can be one of your best weapons for combating mold, under certain conditions, it can also become a haven for mold. Fortunately, there are some reliable methods for treating and preventing mold in your HVAC system.

How to Detect Mold in HVAC

Generally, you can tell if you have mold in your HVAC system if you smell a strong, musty odor. Here are some other signs:

  • Mold around air ducts or intake vents

  • Leaks or puddles inside the HVAC or on the floor

  • Household occupants are subject to coughing or congestion

Why Do You Have Mold in HVAC?

Mold usually occurs in the HVAC system because of these factors:

  • Warm, damp conditions in the home

  • Leaky ducts allowing damp air into the system

  • An overflowing condensate drain

  • A dirty air filter that prevents good airflow, resulting in excess condensation on evaporative coils

To get rid of the excess moisture in your system, have your HVAC consultant fix the disconnected or damaged ducts. If the condensate drain is plugged to overflowing, it's an easy fix with bleach and flushing it with water. And, be sure to change the air filter regularly. You might also need to have the evaporative coils cleaned now and then.

Other Treatments for Mold in HVAC

If your home has high humidity in the summer, you may want to address that. Besides the already-mentioned remedies, try removing humidity with a portable dehumidifier. If this doesn't help, you might discuss installing a whole-house dehumidifier with your HVAC consultant. Also, discuss installation of UVGI (ultraviolet germicidal irradiation) lights in your HVAC to get rid of mold. 

Other actions you might ask your HVAC consultant to take:

  • Treat the HVAC system with an EPA-approved disinfectant, manufactured for HVAC systems.

  • Apply a mold inhibitor to all the components of your HVAC.

  • Find which ducts are most affected by moisture and mold, and clean, fix, and replace them as needed.

  • Have air intakes near areas where organic materials might accumulate checked and cleaned if needed.

For more on mold in HVAC, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.