I’m Told There’s Mold in My Furnace or AC — What Should I Do?

What If I’m Told I Have Mold in Air Conditioner or Furnace?

Mold in your air conditioner is common in homes, but diagnosing it and determining if it’s harmful should be done by experts.

It’s common to find mold in your air conditioner or furnace. Your furnace and evaporator coil have all the components necessary for things like mold to develop. Primarily because there’s consistent moisture. Even if you have your furnace and air conditioner maintained every year, the process of heating and cooling your home necessarily creates condensation that doesn’t completely go away.

Couple that with the areas of moisture being hard to reach, and you have an environment where mold can and does develop.

How Do You Check for Mold in Air Conditioner?

Getting a Proper Diagnosis

If a technician tells you there’s mold but hasn’t performed any testing or doesn’t have certification in mold assessment, be cautious. Until a proper diagnosis is performed, hold off on paying for expensive solutions.

If you notice or have a home service provider notice something that appears to have mold-like qualities, there are specific procedures you should follow.

Is the person qualified to determine the substance? Most HVAC contractors aren’t certified for mold assessment—it requires specific expertise.

If you’re concerned the substance could be harmful to your health, find a provider who is qualified.

How to Find an Expert

In Indiana, like most states, there is no requirement to be certified as a mold expert. Regulation is limited, so you need to do your own research. We recommend checking to ensure an HVAC company or individual is IICRC Certified.

What the Experts Say

According to the EPA, the key to controlling mold is controlling moisture. And while there’s no way to rid your home of all of the over 200,000 types of mold spores that have been identified, moisture control can help limit the fuel it needs to grow.

Here’s the Ten Things you should know about Mold according to the EPA:

1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory complaints.
2. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
3. If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
4. Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
5. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by:
   • Venting bathrooms, dryers and other moisture-generating sources to the outside
   • Using air conditioners and de-humidifiers
   • Increasing ventilation
   • Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing and cleaning
6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
7. Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
8. Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
9. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
10. Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

Still not sure what to do?

As always, we’re available to walk through what you’re dealing with. Feel free to contact us to assist with your issue.

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