Summer humidity is definitely on the rise in Northern Virginia, allowing mold to grow all over the place. If you’re allergic to mold or have asthma, you’re probably sneezing and wheezing a little extra this month. While you can’t do much to prevent outdoor mold growth, it’s possible to avoid the outdoors during peak mold count days as well as ways to prevent mold from growing in your home.
Avoid Going Outside or Letting Mold Inside
Mold is likely to grow on very humid days or on damp days after rain, so try not to go out on these days. Also keep windows closed during the night and early mornings, since this is when mold spores tend to drift through the air.
Prevent Mold From Growing Indoors
Mold is often found in kitchens and bathrooms, so it’s always essential to have proper heat recovery ventilators installed to vent excess moisture from these areas. Mold can also grow in basements especially when humidity levels are high, particularly if there are leaks in the building envelope. It’s essential to have your home inspected for leaks that may have grown behind walls or under floors. It’s also a very good idea to have a dehumidifier in the basement to absorb excess moisture in the air, and an even better idea to have a whole house dehumidifier to regulate humidity in the rest of the house.
Bring in Fresh Air
For the best indoor air quality, it’s important to breathe fresh air. This ensures safe carbon dioxide levels and also dilutes airborne pollutants. Some homes have sufficient ventilation through gaps and exhaust fans, but since homes are being more tightly built, it’s harder for outdoor air to get in. So again, we stress the importance of proper venting which filter air into the home while exhausting stale, contaminated air.
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You should also consider having a fine air filter installed which removes mold spores, dust mites, pet dander and germs. Give us a call by phone to learn more about our furnace repair and air quality services.
Snell Heating and Air Conditioning Can Help You Breathe Better
Just because it’s mold season doesn’t mean you have to be miserable. Our licensed HVAC technicians can improve the ventilation in your home for reduced humidity as well as offer air filtration devices to remove mold in your home.
- Ultra Violet Air Disinfection System – Used in conjunction with a high quality filter, this system kills mold, fungi, and other living microorganisms.
- HEPA Air Filtration – The highest filtration possible, removes particles/contaminants/bioaerosols down to 0.3 microns, 99.97% efficient.
- High Efficiency Media Air Cleaner – Removes small breathable particles and other bioaerosols down to one micron.
- Electronic Air Cleaner – Removes small breathable particles and other bioaerosols down to one micron.
- Electrostatic Air Cleaner – Removes particles at 70% efficiency.
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Give us a call today for better indoor air quality tomorrow!