Is HVAC mold growing somewhere inside your heating and cooling system? It might not be obvious at first, but the same components that keep your home comfortable all year are susceptible to fungal contamination. All mold really needs to thrive are moisture; temperatures in the typical household range; a dark, enclosed environment; and an organic food source.
As it turns out, your heating and cooling components provide all these essentials to support active HVAC mold growth:
- Condensation typically occurring inside or around the indoor AC evaporator coil.
- Stagnant, standing water in the AC condensate drain pan beneath the indoor air handler.
- Moist airflow through dark passages of system ductwork.
- Dust accumulation inside ducts that includes organic particulates that mold feeds on.
Why Mold Matters
Because the airflow in the system eventually reaches all parts of the house, the presence of HVAC mold contamination can trigger a number of issues:
- Allergic reactions and chronic illness in susceptible individuals who inhale airborne mold spores that are continuously circulating in household air.
- Substantial reduction of air conditioner efficiency as coils that are coated by mold growth do not effectively extract heat from the system airflow.
- Indoor water damage as mold growth in the condensate drain pan clogs the drain line, causing the pan to overflow every time the air conditioner cycles on.
Preventing HVAC Mold
- Change the system air filter monthly during summer and every other month during the winter.
- Get professional preventative maintenance. This service by a qualified HVAC technician includes an up-close examination of the system coils, ductwork, and condensate drain pan for evidence of HVAC mold. If mold is discovered, cleaning and decontamination procedures can be performed.
- Consider installing ultraviolet lights in ductwork to sterilize HVAC airflow.
- Maintain indoor humidity at 50% or less. High indoor humidity causes condensation that triggers dormant spores into active mold growth inside the HVAC system and elsewhere. If necessary to maintain proper humidity, consider installing a whole-house dehumidifier.
Paitson Bros. offers the techniques and expertise to detect and eliminate HVAC mold contamination in your home. We’ve been safeguarding the Wabash Valley’s indoor air quality for 98 years.
Jeff Paitson is a third generation business owner who continues to run the business with the same values that have been passed down from previous generations since 1922.
Jeff’s belief is that the business belongs to Jesus Christ; therefore 10 percent of the company’s profits go toward the Maryland Community Church.
Jeff is a Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce member and in his spare time, he enjoys 
Ethan Rayburn is a lifelong resident of Terre Haute and a 2005 graduate of Purdue University.
An Eagle Scout, Ethan spent four years as a non-profit executive with the Boy Scouts of America before joining Paitson Bros. as a comfort advisor and later General Manager. In that role, Ethan has brought a renewed enthusiasm for customer care, integrity, value, and service to Paitson Bros. Heating & Air Conditioning.
Ethan enjoys singing and was a member of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. He also enjoys playing and coaching soccer, spending time with his family and two young boys, and volunteering his time and resources with his church, Terre Haute First Baptist Church, which he has attended from a very young age.
Paitson Bros
1 (812) 232-2347
Serving the Wabash Valley, IN Area Since 1922