Preventing Mold Growth In Your Air Conditioner’s Drip Pan

Air conditioning systems provide the perfect environment for mold growth. This is due to condensation created during the heat exchange process used to cool your home. Since the A/C drip pan receives the highest level of moisture buildup, it is at the greatest risk for mold growth. Any mold in your system (or home) needs to be addressed, because living with mold will compromise the health of your family.

To avoid mold growth in your air conditioning system, routine professional maintenance is essential. However, there are a few basic steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of mold growth in your A/C unit.

• Maintain cleanliness in the rest of your house. Dust particles from your home can travel into your A/C unit and begin to line the air ducts. Mold thrives on this buildup.
• Change your filter. We recommend replacing the filter every month when you are using your air conditioning system regularly. A filter that is kept for too long becomes choked with particulates and bacteria. This bacteria mixes with the water in the drip pan and initiates mold growth.
• Check your drip pan regularly. Air conditioning systems can experience problems such as an excess buildup of water. If you find a large accumulation of water, it is likely that your unit is suffering from more serious problems, and it is essential you call an expert immediately. If mold has already started to grow in your drip pan, the mold has probably already started to spread elsewhere.

If you are concerned about mold growth in your air conditioning unit, or other issues related to home comfort systems, please contact us at Air-Tro for support you can rely on in the greater Los Angeles area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Los Angeles, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about mold growth and other HVAC topics, visit our website.

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