Mini Split Mold Prevention For South Jersey Homes
One of the few drawbacks to mini splits is that mold can build up inside the units. Because of how they operate, this problem is much more common than with conventional forced-air heat and AC. But, mold prevention or cleaning is easy if you catch it early.
That’s why we created this article. It’s a quick walk-through of what you need to know about mold and your ductless mini split system. In particular, we cover:
- Three Signs You Have Mold In Your Mini Split
- Three Way To Avoid Mini Split Mold Problems
- How To Clean Mold Out of A Mini Split
- Mini Split Cleaning, Mold Removal And Repairs In South Jersey
Of course, we can’t answer every question out there in one article. Nor can we answer every personalized question about your home and equipment.
But we hope this helps you get on the right track to either prevent a problem or solve it quickly. And, Broadley’s is here to help!
If you have any questions about your indoor air quality or the mini split system in your South Jersey home, get in touch today! For more than a century, Broadley’s has served homeowners and businesses from Cape May through Marmora, Upper Township, and Avalon.
Call us at 609-390-3907 or use the link below to set an appointment.
Three Signs You Have Mold In Your Mini Split
How can you tell if there’s mold in your mini split? Here are three signs:
- Dark-Colored Spots On The Air Handler
- A Cheesy, “Dirty Sock” Smell
- Allergy And Respiratory Irritation
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Dark-Colored Spots On The Air Handler
Take a look at the bottom of your air handler. Or, remove the front panel and filter. Then, shine a flashlight inside both areas. Do you notice any black or dark green or brown splotches?
We hate to tell you, but that’s most likely mold. Especially if you’re noticing any of the other problems we’re listing here.
Even if it’s not mold, it’s still a sign that you should call a professional for a cleaning — more on that later.
Alternately, you may see tiny brown droplets that look almost like rodent droppings. As we discussed in our last article, that’s often a sign of an electrical problem. You’re noticing drops from a component that’s melting.
Once again, time to call your HVAC contractor.
A Cheesy, “Dirty Sock” Smell
A common sign of mold or bacteria in your HVAC system is what’s called “Dirty Sock Syndrome.” If the air coming out of your system smells like you just opened an old gym bag, you’ve got some sort of growth going on.
You’ll notice this from your vents with a forced-air system. With ductless, the problem stems from the air handler (or handlers).
Allergy And Respiratory Irritation
Itchy, watery eyes, sore throats, and stuffy noses could mean anything from a cold to a high pollen count to any number of airborne pollutants in your home. But, one of the causes is mold in your mini split.
The problem is that the system is now blowing spores throughout the house. And you’re coming into contact with them.
Since these symptoms have so many causes, you can’t make an assumption just on these alone. But, if you notice this along with the splotches and the smell, you’ve likely pinpointed the problem.
We’ll get into what to do once you’ve discovered mold. But first, let’s talk about prevention.
How To Avoid Mini Split Mold Problems
Alt Text: A Ductless Deep Cleaning Makes Sure To Take Care Of That Mold And Funky Smell
Mini split mold problems are pretty common. But, with a bit of foresight and planning, you can avoid them cropping up in your home. Three ways to do it are:
- Eliminate Standing Water Around The System
- Let Your System Cycle Through On Its Own
- Have Regular Maintenance On Your Mini Split
Eliminate Standing Water Around The System
Mold thrives when there’s moisture, dark, and warmth. Unfortunately, an air handler already gives you the last two: There’s no light inside the unit, and it gets pretty warm.
The best you can do is eliminate the first one.
Make sure there are no puddles, water, or excess moisture around the units. And keep an eye out for condensation buildup near the unit. If the air handler itself is constantly moist, call a professional.
Let Your System Cycle Through On Its Own
One big difference between ductless heat pump systems and conventional one-stage furnaces is that the air handlers for ductless seem to run all the time. Furnaces, on the other hand, cycle on and off a few times every hour.
But, the heat pumps use a variable-speed motor. So, instead of turning off when the room is at the temperature you want, it switches to low-power mode to maintain the setting.
Here’s where that affects mold growth, especially in the summer.
When the system is running in cooling mode, it’s also dehumidifying — getting rid of all the excess water vapor and moisture. But, you need to let it run as much as it needs to for it to work correctly.
You may be tempted to manually shut off the unit because the room feels fine. But, when you do that, you leave a lot of water standing in or near the system. That’s no good.
Instead, let it run as long as it needs to. Since the low-power mode uses almost no electricity, it barely makes any impact on your electric bill. And, you’ll be more comfortable overall.
Have Regular Maintenance On Your Mini Split
A tune-up for your mini split can go a long way! Not only will you keep your warranty valid. And stay more comfortable year-round. And keep your energy bills low (yes, a little preventative maintenance can do a lot!).
You’ll also avoid mold in your system. A certified technician will keep your system in great shape and notice any minor problems before they get worse. That includes mold, bacteria, and other organic buildups.
Schedule Your Mini Split Maintenance
How To Clean Mold Out of A Mini Split
The bad news is that you can clean mold out of a mini split yourself. There are too many small, delicate parts, and the cleaning process requires special equipment to avoid damaging something. However, the good news is that it’s an easy and straightforward job for a trained professional.
A thorough mini split cleaning usually takes about an hour. Maybe two if the problem is really bad or in multiple air handlers. But, in most cases, a good cleaning eradicates all that organic buildup.
Then, the problem shouldn’t come back — or won’t return nearly as bad — if you follow the preventative steps we outlined above.
Mini Split Cleaning, Mold Removal And Repairs In South Jersey
Broadley’s Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning is a NATE-Certified, Mitsubishi Diamond Elite contractor with hundreds of five-star reviews from South Jersey homes and businesses. You can click below or call us at 609-390-3907 for mini split cleaning, repairs, or mold removal.