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Started By
Message
Air Conditioner Pros: Help Needed
Posted on 2/4/17 at 10:27 am
Posted on 2/4/17 at 10:27 am
Moved into the house about 2.5 years ago in April. That summer I had all the ducts and unit cleaned. I started noticing some molding around particular vents. These vents are located close to the actual unit. The vents further from the unit have no issues. The rooms where these vents are located always have closed doors. Roommates, dogs, etc. Roommates dad worked has an AC business in TX so he and I were taking a look last night. Here are some things he noticed and some thoughts.
-The return vent "area" isn't fully insulated so there is moisture and humidity getting in and since these vents are closest to the unit, they are receiving moistured air and getting mold. By the time the air hits the vents that are further from the unit, the air has dried enough to not cause any issues.
-Possible humidity getting into unit from the attic but would have to get up there and see.
Questions:
1: What do I clean these vents and ducts with?
2: How do I prevent this from continuing to happen? Insulate the return vent area? If so, how?
3: Have heard to heavily caulk inside the duct where the duct box meets the sheetrock...thoughts?
TIA
-The return vent "area" isn't fully insulated so there is moisture and humidity getting in and since these vents are closest to the unit, they are receiving moistured air and getting mold. By the time the air hits the vents that are further from the unit, the air has dried enough to not cause any issues.
-Possible humidity getting into unit from the attic but would have to get up there and see.
Questions:
1: What do I clean these vents and ducts with?
2: How do I prevent this from continuing to happen? Insulate the return vent area? If so, how?
3: Have heard to heavily caulk inside the duct where the duct box meets the sheetrock...thoughts?
TIA
5
Posted on 2/4/17 at 10:28 am to couv1217
Seal the air gaps with tape. Clean drain line with vinegar and Clorox or both.
Posted on 2/4/17 at 10:33 am to Paul Allen
quote:
Seal the air gaps with tape
The ones in the return vent area?
Posted on 2/4/17 at 10:38 am to couv1217
Without some investigation I don't think anyone can give you a definitive answer on where the mold is coming from.
By nature the air conditioning unit provides dehumidification but any residual humidity would more likely be more likely to have a higher concentration rate on the ductwork closer to the air handler. Also, is your unit oversized? If so you could be short cycling and not dehumidifying.
You don't have mold growth without spores and humidity. The spores could be in the carpet and getting sucked up in the return.
Here is a link of the stuff we use to treat mold in ductwork.
LINK
By nature the air conditioning unit provides dehumidification but any residual humidity would more likely be more likely to have a higher concentration rate on the ductwork closer to the air handler. Also, is your unit oversized? If so you could be short cycling and not dehumidifying.
You don't have mold growth without spores and humidity. The spores could be in the carpet and getting sucked up in the return.
Here is a link of the stuff we use to treat mold in ductwork.
LINK
Posted on 2/4/17 at 10:41 am to couv1217
Not sure. We had similar issues and the AC pro came down from the attic and said he sealed the air gaps with tape.
Posted on 2/4/17 at 10:54 am to couv1217
I found mold on some of my vents. After looking closely, I figured out that the mold was actually from condensation outside of the duct. Basically, the cold air from the unit was cooling the metal vent and humidity from air in the room was condensing on the exposed metal. I resealed up gaps around the windows and doors to reduce humidity in the house and the problem went away.
ETA: I don't think the humidity that is causing mold is coming through your unit....it is co ing from the ambient air in the room where you see it.
ETA: I don't think the humidity that is causing mold is coming through your unit....it is co ing from the ambient air in the room where you see it.
This post was edited on 2/4/17 at 11:24 am
Posted on 2/4/17 at 11:00 am to couv1217
Any surface that get dew point or less will sweat. This condensate will potentially cause mold. Remember mold needs 3 things, water, darkness, and a food source. In an attic u add water u have all three.
As listed above. Us tape to seal all unit and duct leaks. Pin some armaflex(neoprene) or duct wrap insulation around all surfaces of the supply and return air ductwork. Typaclly you will see a 15-20 degree supply air difference between the space temp. So if set at 72 you can easily see dew point temps and all surfaces of ductwork are condensate potentials.
As listed above. Us tape to seal all unit and duct leaks. Pin some armaflex(neoprene) or duct wrap insulation around all surfaces of the supply and return air ductwork. Typaclly you will see a 15-20 degree supply air difference between the space temp. So if set at 72 you can easily see dew point temps and all surfaces of ductwork are condensate potentials.
Posted on 2/4/17 at 11:37 am to couv1217
Don't close the vent always leave it open
Posted on 2/4/17 at 11:48 am to tigeraddict
With out seeing your situation it is hard to determine the issue.
The closed doors could be part of your issue. The same amount of air that comes out of your unit must go back in.
Typically, the air that comes out of the registers will freely cycle back towards the intake. When doors are closed, it is more difficult for that register air to return to the intake.
Any minor leaks around the intake now become the return air source. Instead of pulling in conditioned return air from the rooms, the unit may now be pulling in moisture laden air from the attic instead.
Unrestricted air circulation is important. Three easy opitions...
1. Leave doors open.
2. Cut an inch or so off the bottom of the door.
3. Install door vents.
The closed doors could be part of your issue. The same amount of air that comes out of your unit must go back in.
Typically, the air that comes out of the registers will freely cycle back towards the intake. When doors are closed, it is more difficult for that register air to return to the intake.
Any minor leaks around the intake now become the return air source. Instead of pulling in conditioned return air from the rooms, the unit may now be pulling in moisture laden air from the attic instead.
Unrestricted air circulation is important. Three easy opitions...
1. Leave doors open.
2. Cut an inch or so off the bottom of the door.
3. Install door vents.
Posted on 2/4/17 at 1:38 pm to BHM
quote:
Cut an inch or so off the bottom of the door.
This
This post was edited on 2/4/17 at 1:39 pm
Posted on 2/4/17 at 3:16 pm to djangochained
Pictures would help. Also, and not trying to be a jerk but it's obvious, why would you not ask your roomates dad?
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