Summer Heat and Mould Growth in your Furnace.
The summer is well on its way in the GTA. So is mould growth in your furnace.
With the hot summer we’ve had here in the GTA this year, air conditioning systems are running at their peak. This is a welcomed relief from the heat indoors, however, it can also cause a major problem. The problem can be mould growth in your furnace.
How can this be? I thought mould only grew from floods or leaks? Actually, mould can grow from any type or source of dampness. Sure, floods and leaks can be a major contributor to mould growth indoors. Another source can be excessive condensation on windows, walls as well as condensation on cooling coils inside the furnace.
For air conditioning to work, there needs to be condensers and cooling coils in your actual furnace system. The problem is that hot an moist air will lead to condensation on the cooling coils inside your furnace. The cooling coils in most cases will have a drain pan or drain system to deal with excess condensation build up. However, dust collection on the coils themselves coupled with condensation is enough to start mould growth on or near the cooling coils.
How do you know that you have mould growth in your furnace system? Usually, there will be an odour that is noticeable when you start up the furnace or when it cycles on and off. It may be a very noticeable mouldy or musty odour or it can be very faint. It can even smell like a damp towel or old gym sock.
Another way to determine if you have mould in your furnace is to have a mould assessment or mould test done of the air coming out of the vents. If there is an abundance of mould spore activity…then you have mould growth in your furnace.