text: The thought of mold conjures up images of dark fuzzy patches and people in biological suits wearing latex gloves. While mold in your AC unit may not be as scary, it can still have detrimental effects on your body by contributing to serious respiratory illnesses. So it's important to be able to tell if you're dealing with a mold problem in your AC system.
  Our olfactory sense can link certain smells to memories from decades ago. So it's no wonder it serves to warn you against mold too. Mold is a common issue in building interiors with poor humidity control, and the US Environmental Protection Agency recommends professional remediation when a mold patch exceeds 10 square feet. Mold is detrimental for indoor air quality, producing an unpleasant musty odor and causing allergic reactions. Read more at R&R Mag…
  So if you notice a musty, wet, stale or rotten smell in your house or particular rooms, especially when your AC unit is running, that's a sign you may have mold. Our body protects us in many ways. If you have a wound, it uses its clotting factors to make sure you don't bleed out. If you eat something that's disagreeable with your body, it ejects it through diarrhea or vomiting. In the same fashion, another sign you may have mold in your HVAC system is if your body or your pet's body reacts, displaying certain symptoms.
  “Without proper care and maintenance, mold can actually grow on the inside which has the potential to lead to health problems like wheezing, congestion and throat irritation,” said Consumer Reports Home Editor Paul Hope. Read more at ABC7NY…
  Other indications are headaches, nausea and itchy eyes. So if you notice you or your pet showing symptoms similar to those in allergy and congestion medicine commercials, you may have mold in your unit. The final and most worrisome but sure sign of mold in your AC unit is the actual sight of it. Appearances can be deceiving, but not when it comes to mold. If you see it, you have it.
  Inspect the unit to determine the extent of the problem. Unplug the unit, remove the front grille cover (most snap off but some are held in place by screws), and then pull out the filter beneath the grill. Grab a flashlight and inspect the inside of the unit for the signs of mold growth, which may appear as streaks or clusters of brown, black, or greenish stains, some of which may appear fuzzy. Mildew, a common type of mold, produces powdery gray or white stains. Read more at Bob Vila…
  You can use this description of how mold and mildew look, but can also search online for images to be sure. If you spot these fungi in your system, you're more on the ‘infestation’ side of a mold problem and need professional help immediately.
  The team at Dynamic Heating and Cooling are experts at tackling mold in HVAC systems and will give you fast, top-quality service. So don't wait for a mold problem to worsen. As soon as you suspect your AC unit may have mold or mildew, give us a call!
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