People who use window air conditioners can also use filters that have been specially designed to prevent the air conditioning system from sucking in mold spores from outside the home. Mold can’t grow and thrive without moisture, so it’s important to dry wet areas in your home immediately. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. Fresh air will also help dry out damp, musty areas and reduce odors and stuffiness. Open closet doors so air can circulate. You can also take measures to control the humidity levels in your home with your HVAC system, which may or may not have a humidification system built in. Mold just needs a little bit of moisture to thrive. Dry Wet Areas. prevent mold Clean up and dry out your home fully and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after a flood. Mold and mildew thrive in a humid environment, so it is important to keep your humidity levels down. Clogged filters not only provide a food source for … Join the Happy Hiller Club and get all the perks of membership: Seasonal tune-ups. Also, consider installing whole-home humidification or plug-in dehumidifiers. Click here for more tips on reducing home humidity. Jackson, TN 38301, 5507 Ball Camp Pike Vacuum with a HEPA Filter – HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters help to eliminate mold spore concentrations in carpets and on the floor. Set your thermostat between 78-80 degrees while you’re gone—any higher and you’ll most likely have excessive moisture from the humidity. Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, & Electrical provides residential and commercial service and repair throughout Tennessee, Southern Kentucky, and Northern Alabama. Keep Indoor Plants. If there are no vent fans in these rooms, have them repaired or installed by an electrician. Mold can be one of the negative effects of floods or can indicate a problem with your air conditioning system. Humidity higher than 60% gives mold a perfect environment in which to grow. The texture is most often slimy or fuzzy. No matter what type of mold is present, you need to remove it. Exposure to sunlight has been a mildew remedy since pre-air conditioning days. Contact an HVAC service professional for more information on your UV germicidal air irradiation options. We’ve compiled a list of easy, proactive methods for keeping your home dry and your air free of mold and other airborne toxins. High heat (between 77 and 87 degrees), humidity (between 62 and 93 percent), and a food source (organic material) create the ideal environment for mold and mildew to thrive. Post Tags: If you see any mold, you’ll want to wipe it down. All windows and doors should be kept closed on hot, humid days, especially if you have your air conditioner running. Learn everything you need to know before buying a new A/C here. Flick both switches into the off position and make … Mold color varies in shades of black, blue, red, and green. So keeping your air conditioner running in humid weather and situations is a proactive step to take. Replace the filter after treating a mold problem in your air conditioning. Leaving the air conditioning running in your home will not only cool your home, it will help remove moisture from the air and help circulate and filter the air. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung disease may get infections in their lungs from mold. It can turn to shades of yellow, brown, and black in its later stages. Filters with a MERV rating of 5 to 13 offer capture of mold spores circulating through your air supply to prevent their spread – the closer to MERV 13 your filter, the better protection you have. 1415 Interstate Dr According to the EPA, our indoor environment is two to five times more toxic than our outdoor environment. Keep your air conditioner on at all times to prevent the growth of mold. The good news is that there are a variety of ways to fight mold – or to keep it from developing in your home entirely. Regular cleaning or replacing the AC filter will help prevent mold from growing there in the first place. How to Prevent Mold and Mildew. Also make sure you don’t leave wet clothing or bath towels out for too long. Running fans on low helps circulate air to prevent it from being stagnant, but it does not help reduce humidity. Use Green Cleaning Products. In areas that ... 2. Instead, use the “auto” function on your air conditioning unit. Learn how to clean and prevent mold and mildew here. That’s why June-August promote mold growth more than any other months. Mold can cause many health effects. Damp, moist areas are a breeding ground for mold. Clean your AC drain line regularly. Open air vents and windows to increase air flow. The filter traps the airborne dirt and debris, denying the mold spores a food source. Effective moisture control can prevent air conditioner mold. The health effects of mold can be different for different people so you cannot rely on sampling and culturing to know if you or a member of your family might become sick. Plumbing To help prevent mold growth on the moist humidifier pad, whole-home humidifiers also have a built-in air filter. Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products. Turn the car, fan, and the AC all the way off. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce a poisonous gas. Clutter … Crossville, TN 38571, 210 Commerce Center Cir If you have a plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical emergency, Hiller is available for 24/7, same-day service. Mold loves stale air. Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried right away. Mold is a fungus and a common component of household dust. To Prevent Mold Growth in Your Home Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you can—no higher than 50%–all day long. Also, if the smell of mold is most prevalent when the system is in use, there is likely a mold problem. HVAC When using the kitchen, bathroom or basement, turn on the vent fans. Sleep with windows closed since the concentration of outdoor mold spores goes up as nighttime temperatures go down and humidity increases. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery. Be sure the air in your home flows freely. Keep humidity levels at a minimum. mold prevention To learn more about preventing mold in your home, see the Environmental Protection Agency’s book A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home at. When using these cleaners to rid areas of mold and other pollutants, you are essentially trading one contaminant for another. Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow. Small amounts of mold, however, are possible to remove with some simple materials, including: Although bleach, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide can remove small amounts of mold and mildew, tea tree oil is more natural and effective. Fix any plumbing leaks or water issues to remove the sources of moisture in your home. Molds have been on the Earth for millions of years. Saving Lives, Protecting People, https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-remediation-schools-and-commercial-buildings-guide, https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-10/documents/moldguide12.pdf, Homeowner’s and Renter’s Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters, What to Wear before entering a Home or Building with Mold Damage, Mold Clean-Up After Disasters: When to Use Bleach, National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Think about not using carpet in places like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture. Learn how to naturally remove small amounts of mold and mildew from your home here. Sealing windows, doors and walls with caulk, stripping and other sealants can prevent moist outdoor air and mold and mildew spores from entering your home. When you leave for family vacation, don’t turn your unit off. Clarksville, TN 37040, 2555 Pulaski Hwy Clean and dry water-damaged carpets, clothing, bedding and upholstered furniture within 24 – 48 hours or consider removing and replacing damaged furnishings. Ever wonder why your air conditioner is called an air conditioner, instead ... 2. Consider your air filtration options here. Mini splits don’t cycle on and off like conventional air conditioners. Airflow and Ventilation. ventilation. It can help prevent mold, but once it exists, your air conditioner cannot kill it. There is always some mold around. HEPA air purifiers are also an option in rooms prone to dampness without a fan vent – such as the basement and bathroom. How to Prevent HVAC Mold The health effects of mold exposure are highly dependent on the type and amount of mold present in the home. Keep all grates and air returns unblocked and clean to allow air to flow properly to all parts of the system. Keep the moisture levels in your ducts or units to a minimum. Use a UV filter to prevent mold … Ensuring that your attic has fans will minimize mold growth in your attic. In the summer, a closed house with the air-conditioning turned off will have higher humidity levels than an air-conditioned home. Never Stop the Air Conditioner. High carbon dioxide levels can cause decreasing oxygen levels in the body, hampering the flow of oxygen to the brain. How Can My Air Conditioner Prevent Mold? 100% satisfaction guaranteed. 3. mold Here are some top ways to effectively use your air conditioner in the war against mold: Select A High-Efficiency Air Conditioner Also, good sampling for mold can be expensive, and there are no set standards for what is and what is not an acceptable quantity of different kinds of mold in a home. Cordova, TN 38018, 1500 Ashland City Rd CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Use a high efficiency air filter and replace it on a regular basis, as recommended by the manufacturer and your HVAC technician. You can also use HEPA vacuum cleaners to clean air vents and musty areas in the home that might contribute to mold growth. Mold will only grow and spread – not only causing health problems in your household but also damaging your home’s foundation. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when you use bleach or any other cleaning product. Mold in the air outside can be brought indoors on clothing, shoes, bags, and even pets. 5 Tips to Prevent Mold Growth. Mold, mildew, and moisture problems are prevalent in states with hot, humid summers, such as Tennessee. The relative humidity in your house should not exceed 50 percent. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. How to prevent mold in the air conditioner. If you have a serious mold infestation, you should contact a professional mold remediation specialist immediately. Heating & Cooling The toxic black mold associated with “sick house syndrome” is probably Stachybortrys chartarum. Click here for a list of common household mold types. Instead, they often run in the background in a low-power mode. 4. Ultraviolet Lights – Ultraviolet light can be used to deal with particularly bad mold problems. Eliminate Clutter. 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