It is warming up outside and that means those of us who do not have, or don’t always use, air conditioning are going to experience heat and humidity indoors very soon.
Humid may be our second favorite word right behind mold. Typically where you find one, you will find the other.
Luckily, you’re already ahead of the game if you’re here. Whether you’ve either already identified mold in your AC unit or you’d like to take preventive measures to avoid mold being found in your AC unit in the future, you’ve come to the right place.
How to prevent mold without air conditioning
If you will not have air conditioning for a short time (ex. Broken A/C, installation, etc.)…
The secret is keeping things well-ventilated, or at the very least, keeping a breeze going to circulate cold and warm air. Utilize ceiling fans, and exhaust fans that push air out of your home. If you have an area in your house that tends to feel more humid than others, whether a bathroom or just a corner with a window, a tall oscillating fan could work well.
In addition to using fans, be sure to triple check for any leaks or cracks in your roof, walls, or plumbing. Those are bound to have moisture grow in or around them!
If you are without air conditioning or do not run it often…
Getting a dehumidifier is a great option for mold prevention when you don’t have a unit, or don’t use one often. It will help minimize moisture build up in your home.
We also recommend a regularly scheduled home mold testing from mold companies like MoldPlus! Having routine maintenance not only gives you peace of mind, but it helps ensure you stay ahead of breeding mold spores in your home!
Interested in scheduling a mold inspection with us soon? We’d be happy to help.
Can air conditioners cause mold? What causes mold in AC units, if at all?
We know mold can be prevented without air conditioning, but do A/C units cause mold themselves? The simple answer is yes but it is completely avoidable.
A/C units do move air (their purpose), but they also tend to trap a lot of dust and debris over time; that’s one of the reasons we are supposed to change our air filters every few months, or less if needed!
Without routine filter swaps, that dust collects and ends up attracting black mold… Once black mold is present, air quality in your home is severely impacted.
Can a leaking AC cause mold?
Definitely! A build up of dust and debris is only one cause of a moldy A/C unit – a leaking unit is another.
We suggest checking your drainage tube every time you change your filter. If you don’t and the tube gets blocked, it can cause a leak, and thus mold growth from the moisture.
A leak can also be caused when your coil is not working properly. One of the main jobs of an A/C unit is to pull moisture out of the air; air passes over the coil in the unit, then pulls the heat and moisture out and drains it. If one step in this process is not functioning as it is supposed to or if your coil has been weakened from use, there is a chance of a leak forming.
Lots can happen without proper care and routine mold inspections. Your filters could get clogged, dust could build up, humidity could rise due to a lack of refrigerant, and/or your coil could not be functioning properly.
Are you dealing with something similar now? Just call us at 678-236-2009 and say “I have mold in my air conditioner unit!”
What does mold look like? Where is it found?
The most common culprit we see is Cladosporium in the air conditioning system, but identifying that mold with the naked eye is a bit more difficult; we like to test it before confidently identifying it.
Walls with mold are also a typical giveaway for a molded or outdated A/C unit, and you’ll first notice this in more moisture-prone areas in your home.
If you need to know how to get rid of mold on walls or how to kill mold in general, we recommend starting with a bleach/water or vinegar/water mix to get rid of what you can. If it requires more than a wipe down, we suggest giving us a call at 678-236-2009. It’s completely free to talk with us – We have your safety at heart!
FAQ about preventing mold without air conditioning:
Will opening windows reduce mold? Opening windows will certainly help with ventilation and push some of the mold spores out of your house, although it will not rid the mold.
Does lack of air conditioning cause mold? It could, however other factors are taken into account here: do you have ceiling fans? Are you using exhaust fans? Do you live in a humid area? While the unit may not directly cause mold, it can lead to high humidity, and thus, mold growth.
What is the best temperature to prevent mold in your house? Setting your thermostat to any number in the low 70’s will help prevent mold growth.
How long does it take for mold to grow without AC? Mold can start growing in as little as 24-48 hours. If you do not have an A/C unit, be sure to have proper air circulation.
Do air purifiers help with mold? While they don’t treat active mold, they do help capture mold spores from the air and prevent them from spreading.
Should you run your AC if you have mold? It depends on where the mold is. If the mold is in your house, air conditioning can keep the air moving. If the mold is in your A/C unit, then we suggest not using it until we’ve taken a look!
We hope you have a better understanding of mold prevention in your home, while not having an air conditioning unit. In essence, it is completely avoidable with proper maintenance and care, and we’d be happy to be a part of that process.
Let us know if you have any questions or if you’d like to schedule a mold inspection. We’re here for you, home owners!