Mold On Air Conditioning Vents

If you notice black dust around your air vents this could be a sign of black mold growing.

Mold on air conditioning vents.

Exposure to mold in the home whether visible or not can cause a variety of serious health problems one hidden place that mold can grow is within your air conditioner. Mold in air ducts most commonly occurs when there is moisture inside the ductwork. You may also be able to see the presence of mold around drip pans air ducts and within intake vents. Condensation forms in the coils and ducts as cool air circulates through the system creating a habitat for moisture loving mold.

Setting your ac on a very low temperature can sometimes lead to mold around the vents when the cool air from the vents meets the warm air in the room the temperature difference can cause moisture in the air to condense on surfaces in and around the vents. It s likely that mold developed in the unit over the winter and you didn t notice it until you turned. Mold grows on paper cardboard ceiling tiles and wood. Mold can be one of the negative effects of floods or can indicate a problem with your air conditioning system.

However when black mold starts growing in your air vents things get a little trickier. You may have black mold in your air ducts if you notice any of the following signs. Molds have been on the earth for millions of years. As cool air flows through the vents on hot days the moisture in the air can condense inside the air vent.

If that moisture builds up and never gets a chance to dry out it can lead to mold growth. Air conditioner vents can be breeding grounds for black mold. Black dust around air vents. There is always some mold around.

Because vents are not porous black mold in which the scientific term is stachybotrys does not grow on vents. With air constantly circulating through the unit into your home mold spores are sometimes picked up and pushed into your living areas. The mold that may be present on a vent is not generally toxic but can cause an allergic type reaction such as coughing or sneezing. You can see the same principle at work when you drink an icy beverage and water beads up on the outside of the glass.

Common causes of black mold in air vents. Mold does have a tendency to grow inside air conditioners that sit unused for a while. Mold is a dreaded problem no homeowner wants to face. Therefore if you live in a warm climate and your home smells musty all the time you have the perfect reason to suspect a mold infestation within the central air conditioning system.

Mold can get in your home through open doors windows vents and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can be brought indoors on clothing shoes bags and even pets. Mold will grow where there is moisture such as around leaks in roofs windows or pipes or where there has been a flood. When black mold grows on walls floors carpets and so on it s relatively easy to spot.