Is Your AC Blowing Mold into Your Home?

Is Your AC Blowing Mold and Bacteria into Your Home?

You probably don’t realize it, but the inside of your air conditioner is a pretty wet place. Along with heat, air conditioners remove excess moisture from the air. The moist air condenses into water as it passes over the evaporator coil and collects in the AC drip pan. The condensate pump then pumps the water outside or into a drain that connects to a sewer line.

The problem with AC condensate and indoor air quality

AC condensate, coupled with North Georgia’s high humidity, provides the perfect conditions for mold, mildew, bacteria, and even algae to grow. And each time the AC blower fan kicks on, these micro-organisms circulate through the ductwork and into the air you breathe.

For family members with allergies, asthma or other respiratory illnesses, airborne molds and bacteria can aggravate their condition. And if concentrations are high enough, they can also cause respiratory symptoms in otherwise healthy people. So, it’s important to understand that HVAC air filters are not effective in capturing these micro-organisms.

Shedding (UV) light on how to prevent an overgrowth of mold and bacteria

Ultraviolet, or UV, light has long been used in hospitals, laboratories, and industrial applications to kill harmful molds, bacteria, and viruses. It is also effective in the home, and UV air purifiers are widely available for installation in existing AC systems.

In addition to aggravating respiratory disorders, excessive build-up of organic matter, like mold and mildew, can cause problems with your air conditioner. For example, the condensate drain line can become clogged, resulting in water backing up and flooding onto the floor.

The advantages of a UV air purifier include:

• The elimination of  harmful airborne micro-organisms, for better indoor air quality and better health of your family
• Lower risk of AC malfunction due to excessive build-up of mold, bacteria, and other micro-organisms
• Reduced frequency of air duct cleaning

Is a UV air purifier right for your home?

We recommend installing a UV air purifier if:

• Anyone in your family has a chronic or serious respiratory condition.
• Your HVAC technician found excessive build-up of organic matter during routine maintenance or an AC repair.
• Your home suffers from “dirty sock syndrome”; in other words, you get a whiff of something that smells like dirty socks when your AC comes on. This is a sign of mold and bacteria in the evaporator coil.

Questions about UV light installation?

The HVAC pros at Comfort Zone Heating & Cooling are happy to answer all of your questions about UV air purifiers. You can reach us by phone, online chat, or email.