- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
HVAC "Growth"
Posted on 5/28/26 at 7:11 pm
Posted on 5/28/26 at 7:11 pm
HVAC tech came out to do my yearly clean and told me I had mildew inside my system. He told me so many people have this problem and 7/10 just chose to ignore it. He gave me a price of $18k for a total replacement.
I hate the idea of breathing in this "growth." But I have bad allergies and have not noticed them being bad. I feel like have mildew or mold in my HVAC system would cause some symptoms like smells, allergies, etc... Why do so many people ignore this?
I hate the idea of breathing in this "growth." But I have bad allergies and have not noticed them being bad. I feel like have mildew or mold in my HVAC system would cause some symptoms like smells, allergies, etc... Why do so many people ignore this?
13
Posted on 5/28/26 at 7:14 pm to Roy Curado
quote:
Why do so many people ignore this?
Because the only effective way to get rid of it is to replace stuff, and it usually never bothers anybody.
Posted on 5/28/26 at 8:09 pm to Roy Curado
$18k lmao. id rather take the entire system apart and hand scrub it with lysol wipes before I pay that much
Posted on 5/28/26 at 8:20 pm to Roy Curado
They can spray and clean for this and install UV lights, cost would be about $1000
Posted on 5/28/26 at 9:26 pm to Roy Curado
Sounds like you need a new AC guy.
Posted on 5/29/26 at 12:25 am to Roy Curado
I have seen it in my air handler. Called someone and he told me the same thing. He said something like:
“well, I can get rid of it for you. But you are gonna spend a hell of a lot of money any you won’t be able to tell any difference after we are done”
“well, I can get rid of it for you. But you are gonna spend a hell of a lot of money any you won’t be able to tell any difference after we are done”
Posted on 5/29/26 at 7:47 am to Roy Curado
i've got the growth in my air handler too. i just bought a soft thin brush and brushed it off gently. i check it every now and then and clean what i can. really not that concerned about it. its sucking all the moisture out your house so with moisture there is going to be growth. just the way it is.
Posted on 5/29/26 at 7:54 am to Roy Curado
I had a fair amount of growth on the coil, cleaned it off gently and had them install a UV light, never came back. Spent about $1400
Posted on 5/29/26 at 8:45 am to Roy Curado
quote:
Why do so many people ignore this?
quote:
He gave me a price of $18k for a total replacement
Posted on 5/29/26 at 10:30 am to Roy Curado
I don’t know if this is the right answer, but look into UV lights. Might cost 1-2 grand, so do your research on if that would fix it.
Doing nothing could be fine, could also cause health / respiratory issues over time.
Doing nothing could be fine, could also cause health / respiratory issues over time.
Posted on 5/29/26 at 12:29 pm to Tifway419
You live in the South?
You will have HVAC "Growth". Clean it all you want, but it will come back. The UV lights might keep the area around the UV light growth free, but farther down the system the growth will eventually come back.
You will have HVAC "Growth". Clean it all you want, but it will come back. The UV lights might keep the area around the UV light growth free, but farther down the system the growth will eventually come back.
Posted on 5/29/26 at 12:57 pm to Roy Curado
quote:
But I have bad allergies and have not noticed them being bad. I feel like have mildew or mold in my HVAC system would cause some symptoms like smells, allergies, etc...
Sounds like you answered your own question - it’s not an issue.
You weren’t specific, where was the mildew located - in and on/around the evaporator coil? which would be pretty normal (constantly damp environment during AC cooling period); throughout the entire unit, including ductwork (not normal and would/should require further investigated)?
There are other options for improving indoor air quality (IAQ) if needed, some mentioned, that don’t require replacing a HVAC.
So if the tech came out to do your yearly clean, why didn’t he clean the mildew? Sounds like you got a Sales HVAC tech - they make big commissions from their employer if they can sell you a new system. As others said, get a new HVAC tech or a new HVAC company that doesn’t use sales techs. .
Posted on 5/29/26 at 2:33 pm to Roy Curado
I have been told that the issue is insulation around the unit in the attic and around the duct pipes. Maybe kill what is there and wrap the ducts with another layer of insulation.
Disclaimer: I am not an HVAC tech.
Disclaimer: I am not an HVAC tech.
This post was edited on 5/29/26 at 2:34 pm
Posted on 6/1/26 at 10:44 am to Roy Curado
Can put a UV light in the unit and will get rid of the mold. We did it and in less than a year it was gone.
This post was edited on 6/1/26 at 10:46 am
Posted on 6/2/26 at 8:57 pm to TBoy
Theres really no defeating it in the south. Its dark and damp in there, shits gonna grow.
Posted on 6/4/26 at 10:00 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
Theres really no defeating it in the south. Its dark and damp in there, shits gonna grow.
Exactly, and at times the right temp range.
Always get a second or preferably 4 quotes of more for a HVAC system replcement.
Anyone that suggests a $18k replacement instead of a cleaning is likely not good, as suggested.
Posted on 6/4/26 at 9:57 pm to Roy Curado
I have 1 vent in my house that gets mildew blotches showing up every 3ish months right in the vicinity of the vent. I hit it with some clorox bleach and it its good for a while. I assume we are breathing that shite in to an extent but we haven't noticed any health issues since it showed up a year or so ago
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News