Mold is more than just an eyesore — it can present serious health risks, ranging from triggering allergies to causing illness because of the biotoxins the mold produces. Whether or not you have a history of respiratory illnesses, mold is nothing to treat lightly. Managing and preventing mold in your home requires an understanding of what causes mold, and how to remove mold from your home and air.
Mold, bacteria, mildew, and fungal spores all occur naturally in the air which comes into your home. It’s impossible to remove 100% of these particulates from all of the air within your home — however, when the air is relatively clean, these particulates are present at such a low concentration that they don’t present much of a health threat. When they find a place in which to grow, however, the concentration becomes much higher: that’s when it becomes a problem.
Preventing mold from growing in your home is largely a matter of controlling humidity. Humid environments and standing water are major contributors to mold growth. If you have humidity issues throughout most or all of your home, a whole-house dehumidifier might be the right solution for you: it uses the existing airflow from a central A/C or furnace to gather the air in your home and remove excess moisture from it. If your humidity and old issues are confined to a few problem spots, like kitchens or bathrooms, stand-alone dehumidifiers and targeted ventilation options may be a better solution.
You may also want to look into air filtration or cleaning options to improve your indoor air quality. A UV light installed next to an air filter or within your ductwork can kill mildew, mold, and fungal spores and bacteria in the air, though it doesn’t remove the spores from circulation. An air filter or electrostatic air cleaner, however, will remove particulate pollution from the air in your home.
To learn more about managing mold and improving air quality in your Indianapolis home, contact Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing today!
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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