Why Does Mold Grow in HVAC Ducts?

Mold is a type of fungus that can grow virtually anywhere – indoors or out. Mold serves a very important purpose in nature, and we can even make medicine from it (ever hear of penicillin?), but it's not something you want to find growing on your walls.

Exposure to mold spores can cause allergic reactions, headaches, nausea, and fever. Long-term exposure can lead to more serious problems such as infections in your lungs. Mold is commonly found growing in areas around the home such as bathrooms, basements, attics, crawl spaces, and even your HVAC ductwork. But why?

Mold needs two things to survive and spread: moisture and a source of food. Let's take your air ducts for example: during the warm summer months, your air ducts get cold because of the cooled air flowing through them. As the warm air in your home comes in contact with these ducts, condensation occurs. If there is a high humidity level, this water will not evaporate, it will just continue to collect.

Now about the nourishment. As previously mentioned, mold also needs a source of food. The average three-bedroom home generates more than 40 pounds of dust each year, much of which accumulates in your air ducts. Add that to the pollen being drawn in from the outside air supply, and you can see that your ductwork is full of organic materials for mold to feed on.

If you suspect there is mold in your HVAC ducts, don't try to handle it yourself. Call the professionals at GreenPro Cleaning &Restoration and we will remove all contaminants from your ducts in a safe, efficient manner. We serve all of Long Island including Nassau County and Suffolk County – call us today for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.