Asthma And Your HVAC: How They Are Related
Posted on: 29 October 2014
Asthma is a respiratory disease that impacts many Americans. The American Lung Assocatiion says that more than 7.1 million children have asthma. Obviously, asthma is a serious issues that must be dealt with. There are many different factors that contribute to the progression of asthma. One of these could be your HVAC unit. This article will discuss how your HVAC unit could be contributing to asthma in your household.
Asthma And Your HVAC Unit
If someone in your household suffers from asthma, it is possible that your air conditioning unit may be contributing to their symptoms. Air conditioning units can provide a comfortable environment for the growth of mold.
Mold grows from spores that travel through the air. These spores find it easier to grow into mold in environments that are moist. If you are not cleaning your air conditioner on a regular basis, it can make it easier for mold to grow inside of it.
Mold is a fungus that can cause upper respiratory illness. One of these illnesses is asthma. If mold is allowed to grow inside your air ducts, it is very possible that its spores could be dispersed in your home when you run your HVAC unit. Since your air conditioning unit distributes air in each room of your home, you could be unknowingly infesting your home with mold.
Getting Rid Of Mold
If you find that your air ducts contain mold, you will need to do something about it immediately. Here are some of the things you can do to remove the mold:
- It is possible that the mold inside your HVAC unit has spread so much that you need to replace the air ducts. This is necessary when it becomes impossible to clean the ducts out.
- If you decide to hire an HVAC professional, have him show the areas where the mold has grown. Also, make sure he shows you how the moisture is coming into your ducts.
- After you clean out the mold, make sure you take the correct steps to prevent it from returning.
You should be sure to inspect your air ducts regularly, or have an HVAC technician inspect them for you. Making sure you have good air filters and keeping your air ducts as dry as possible will help you prevent mold from growing inside of your HVAC unit.
If you think it's possible that mold has grown in your air ducts, consult with a professional like one from Florida Radon & Mold & Air Conditioning LLC. They can examine your air ducts and determine whether or not you have a mold problem.
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