If you've lived in Tallahassee long, you probably know how easily mold grows on just about every surface. Your HVAC ducts are no exception. While mold proliferates faster in warm weather, it doesn't always stop in the winter.

Cleaning mold off indoor surfaces is easy enough, but those HVAC ducts are a different story. If you're noticing an increase in allergy symptoms despite the absence of pollen, mold is a likely culprit. Long-term exposure can pose significant health risks. Here are some factors that contribute to mold accumulation in your HVAC ducts.

Factors That Lead to Mold Growth

While several factors may be at play, the root cause of mold growth is condensation and trapped organic matter. Moisture building up in your ducts provides the perfect environment for spores to take up residence. Organic matter feeds those spores, causing the mold to grow.

High Humidity

North Florida is typically more humid in the summer, but it doesn't go away altogether when the temperature drops. Your ducts get cold, and then the heat comes on, and the contrast creates condensation. 

Reduced HVAC Usage

Reduced usage of your system in the milder months can also lead to a more humid environment. When your AC usage is low, it can't dehumidify your home as it usually does. That moisture that sits in your ducts can stagnate. This is the ideal environment for mold growth.

Temperature Fluctuations

As luck would have it, we live in a region where we can see a significant difference in temperatures between night and afternoon. Sometimes we experience a freeze at night, followed by a 30-40° increase in temperature during the day.

You can probably guess what this causes. Yes, it's condensation! The drastic, rapid shifts, paired with the lingering moisture from reduced use, create the damp environment that those spores love.

Inadequate Insulation

Damaged or insufficient insulation is another cause of mold in your HVAC ducts. This can exacerbate the effect of those drastic temperature shifts. Cold air hits the warm ducts that bring heat into your home. This creates more condensation.

Dirty Ducts

Organic matter is what feeds spores. If they have nothing or very little to eat, they don't have much to grow on.  Depending on the type of ductwork you have, dust, dirt, and pet dander can accumulate significantly over the years. 

Old Filters

Depending on the type of filter you have, you'll need to change it every three months to a year. A dirty filter can't do its job properly, so you end up with more of that dust and dirt circulating through your system, feeding the spores. 

Leakage

Leaks in your ducts can also result in increased condensation and moisture. You may even see water pooling in the pan, or worse, dripping through the ceiling. This is less obvious and more difficult to diagnose when the ductwork is under the home.

How to Tell if Mold is an Issue in Your System

If you smell something musty or earthy when your system kicks on, it is likely mold. This will be the first sign. It can be easy to miss, however, in the early stages.

Winter usually brings relief for allergy sufferers, but many people are allergic to mold. If you notice that you still have symptoms like coughing, sneezing, sinus congestion, or respiratory issues, pay attention to when they are worst. If they worsen when you are indoors with your system running, it could be mold. 

Finally, if you see growth around your vents or on the handler, this is a sure sign. Not only will this cause health issues, but it will also slow down the airflow as it worsens.

Preventing Mold Growth in Your HVAC Ducts

To minimize mold growth in your HVAC system, change your filters regularly and keep humidity low. Ventilation helps with this considerably. 

If your ducts are under the home, make sure that there is plenty of ventilation in the crawl space. The same applies to ducts in the attic. 

Keep an eye out for signs of mold, and take action while the issue is minimal. It's best to avoid letting it build up in there. 

When to Call Parker Services

At the first indication of mold in your HVAC ducts, it's best to call in the professionals at Parker Services. We can carry out the remediation needed to clean it out and recommend other solutions to prevent its return.

Since mold can pose serious health risks, it's important to address it as soon as you detect it. Early intervention is typically less intensive and, as a result, less expensive. 

Parker Services has a longstanding reputation that you can trust. We can check for leaks and examine your ducts to determine whether they need sealing, cleaning, or added insulation. We can even install a more comprehensive air filtration system to improve overall indoor air quality. 

Your ducts need cleaning every 3 to 5 years at most. Not only will this remove those harmful organic materials, but it will also improve the overall efficiency of your system. For older systems, we can replace your ducts altogether with new, well-insulated materials. 

UV light is highly effective at eliminating harmful microorganisms in your system, preventing the problem from recurring. If you're doing some updating, ask us about our UV air purifiers. This is a great product to make your entire system more efficient and longer-lasting. Contact us today to schedule your service!