Many homeowners don’t realize something is wrong with their home’s furnace until there are obvious signs and symptoms present. Since a cracked heat exchanger is one of the most serious problems your natural gas furnace can have, it’s important to know what to look for. The heating professionals at Grove Heating & Cooling explain the signs of a cracked heat exchanger so you know when to call for help regarding this important furnace issue.
A furnace heat exchanger is an important part of a furnace. It helps to transfer heat from the furnace to the air in your home. Heat generated by combusting fuel is normally contained within the furnace’s heat exchanger as heat energy is transferred to the home’s air, and these byproducts of combustion eventually exit the system and the home through the flue.
The combustion process produces many byproducts, one of which is carbon monoxide. A cracked heat exchanger can be dangerous because it can allow carbon monoxide to mix with the home’s air supply. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause serious health problems, even death.
There are a handful of distinct and common signs of a cracked heat exchanger in your furnace. The signs and symptoms all homeowners need to be mindful of include:
The first sign of a problem with your heating system is the color of the furnace flame. You can easily decipher whether you need to call for repair or not by just looking at the flame color. If it is a normal blue, then there’s nothing wrong and no need to panic, but if its flame is yellow, then there’s a problem in your furnace.
A yellow flame is one of the signs of a cracked or damaged heat exchanger, but it can also indicate dirty burners. If the furnace produces a flickering yellow flame, it’s likely that the problem within your furnace is on the serious side and needs immediate professional attention.
Carbon builds up inside the furnace system, often as a result of incomplete fuel combustion, creating more soot than normal within the unit. Faulty burners in your HVAC system can cause an excess of soot in the furnace, most commonly due to inadequate maintenance or pilot light issues. However, cracked heat exchangers can also result in increased soot levels.
If you notice an unpleasant smell coming from your heating system, it could be one of the signs of a cracked heat exchanger. These fumes typically smell similar to formaldehyde. The fumes are highly toxic and can be very dangerous if inhaled.
Your furnace works hard to keep your home comfortable all winter long. But like any machine, it will eventually start to show signs of wear and tear. If you notice external components beginning to degrade, it’s likely that the internal components are also starting to experience some wear and tear. This damage is often one of the signs of a cracked heat exchanger.
Stress cracks are generated by the cyclical expansion and contraction of the components as their metals heat up and cool down. Corrosion can impact various components when they are exposed to chloride fumes or moisture in the system.
If you’re noticing any of the signs of a cracked heat exchanger, it’s important to call a professional right away. A cracked heat exchanger can be dangerous, and can quickly lead to furnace failure.
At Grove Heating & Cooling, we offer furnace repair and replacement services in Maryland. We can help you inspect your furnace for signs of a cracked heat exchanger and provide the best course of action for repairing or replacing your furnace. If you notice any of the signs of a cracked heat exchanger in your furnace, call us today to schedule an appointment for furnace repairs.
Your thermostat and air conditioning system work together to keep your Maryland home comfortable all summer long. If your thermostat isn’t working right, chances are you’re going to experience some discomfort this season. Grove Heating & Cooling explains the bad thermostat symptoms you need to watch out for, as well as your options to resolve thermostat problems.
If you notice cooling problems in the home, you may also notice one or more of these thermostat issues:
The primary purpose a thermostat serves is to communicate to your cooling equipment. In the summer, it relays messages to the air conditioner or heat pump to reduce the temperature inside the home. If your cooling unit isn’t responding to temperature signals from the thermostat, it’s likely that your thermostat is having an issue.
Short cycling is among the most common reasons thermostats are replaced. Short cycling can occur when the thermostat shuts off the cooling system before it should, and fails to complete a full cooling cycle.
The wiring in your thermostat may be damaged, disrupting the connection between the cooling unit and its controls. Call an expert to identify if wiring problems are the issue at fault and make repairs if possible. The thermostat may need to be replaced if it is no longer communicating with the home’s HVAC equipment.
A properly calibrated thermostat will make sure that your indoor spaces do not get too cold or hot. Improper temperature readings are one of the faulty thermostat symptoms you need to be aware of.
To determine if the temperature is accurate, test the reading of the thermostat using an indoor thermometer. If the readings on your thermostat are not correct, the thermostat’s sensor may be failing. The cause could be due to age, the need for calibration, or other defects.
A failing thermostat can thwart all efforts to lower household cooling costs. An unexpectedly high electric bill may be the first sign you have of a failing thermostat. If the thermostat isn’t properly measuring the temperature, it is likely to result in your cooling unit working too hard. The more frequently the system runs per hour, the greater its power consumption.
A defective thermostat is typically unable to maintain the temperature settings you input. It can change temperature settings with no prior warning or misread temperatures, causing the cooling system to produce temperatures higher or lower than you like.
You can lower the thermostat setting to test it and observe the results. If the same issue occurs, contact a technician to investigate. There could be a loose connection, or the thermostat may be in need of replacement.
Once you have adjusted temperatures, the thermostat should immediately react to the changes and send appropriate signals to instruct your cooling system. In most cases, you’ll hear a clicking noise when you adjust the settings, and your HVAC system starts almost immediately. If the HVAC system isn’t turning on when you change the thermostat settings, chances are it requires replacement.
Some thermostat issues have easy fixes and a simple repair can restore the thermostat’s function. Severe thermostat problems may require that a new unit be installed.
Homeowners have many options to choose from when selecting a new thermostat:
Smart thermostats can be programmed but they don’t require it. When you use them, these thermostats will learn your preferred temperatures and household schedule. The thermostat automatically switches between settings that are energy efficient and in line with your preferences. You can also control a smart thermostat remotely, which is an incredibly handy feature to have.
Programmable thermostats are programmable and automatically adjust cooling system operation to achieve the desired temperature over the course of the day. Program desired temperature setpoints based on your preferences and when the home will be occupied.
If you notice any bad thermostat symptoms this summer, don’t waste time calling Grove Heating & Cooling. Our team will inspect your thermostat, perform repairs if possible, or install a new thermostat that provides precision control over your cooling system.
The summer heat can be oppressive, but with the right cooling equipment, you can keep your home or office cool and comfortable. In this post, we’ll introduce you to some of the most common types of cooling equipment we install to help Maryland homeowners stay cool in summer.
Grove Heating & Cooling installs several different types of cooling systems. Your cooling system options include central air conditioners, air source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, and ductless mini split systems. Keep reading to learn more about each type of HVAC unit.
A central air conditioner is a split HVAC system, meaning it has indoor and outdoor equipment. The indoor equipment is the air handler or furnace, while the outdoor equipment is called the condensing unit.
An air conditioning unit doesn’t actually chill the air by adding some sort of coolness to help you stay cool in summer. Instead, it removes heat from the air and transfers it outside. The cold air is then circulated back into your home’s living areas via ducts.
Air source heat pumps are a type of central cooling split system. They typically include an indoor air handler and outdoor heat pump unit, connected by refrigerant lines.
How do they work? Air source heat pumps cool in the same manner as central air conditioners. The main difference between central air conditioners and heat pumps is that a heat pump also has the ability to heat the home, while air conditioners only cool it.
Geothermal systems use a type of heat pump that transfers heat between the indoor air and the ground or a water source. The components include the geothermal heat pump (usually installed inside the home), the ground loop, and a distribution system consisting of either ducts or radiant water pipes. The ground loop is a special component composed of fluid-filled pipes placed below ground on the property.
Geothermal heat pumps can extract heat from the ground and use it to help you stay cool in summer. This can be a more efficient option than traditional air conditioning systems and other cooling options, and it can also save you money on your energy bills. Geothermal systems can also be used for home heating.
Ductless cooling systems, also called ductless mini splits, use a different setup than most other cooling systems. One outdoor unit connects to multiple indoor units. The air conditioner or heat pump sits outside and connects to air handlers installed throughout the home. This setup allows for individual control of cooling in various areas of the home, making them very energy efficient.
Summertime is hot, and no one wants to be uncomfortable in their own home. Luckily, there are a variety of HVAC systems to choose from, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. If you’re looking for ways to stay cool in summer, contact Grove Heating & Cooling to discuss your options and find the perfect cooling solution for you! A Grove HVAC technician will be happy to assist you.
Many homeowners don’t know what air conditioner short cycling is, but they may see the signs of it during summer days. Short cycling signals a problem with your cooling equipment, which leads to higher energy bills, unreliable comfort control, and even equipment damage. Grove Heating & Cooling explains what air conditioner short cycling can do to your home, what causes it, and how to fix these system issues.
Air conditioner short cycling can cause many problems inside your home and with your cooling system. If you experience short cycling, you’ll probably notice symptoms such as:
Many system issues can be behind air conditioner short cycling. Take a look at the most common causes of this HVAC system problem and what needs to be done to correct these malfunctions or flaws.
When air filters become dirty, they make it harder for your HVAC system to circulate cool air throughout the air conditioning unit as well as the home. A dirty air filter can cause the compressor and fan motor to overheat prematurely, which will force the air conditioner to shut down its cooling cycle early for safety.
If you experience air conditioner short cycling, the filter is a good starting point in your search for solutions. Check the air filter to see if it has become filled with contaminants – replace it if it is no longer in usable condition. With a new filter in place, see how your air conditioner runs – if the short cycling doesn’t stop, move on to troubleshoot other possible problems.
If the evaporator coil is covered in ice, it is unable to extract heat from air circulating through the air conditioner. The frozen coil will cause the system to work harder and use more energy to accomplish its task, ultimately leading to overheating and air conditioner short cycling.
Remove the access panel on your indoor cooling equipment to inspect the coils. If you see ice on the coils, shut down your air conditioner and allow the coils to thaw. You may choose to set the system fan to ON in order to keep warm air flowing over the icy coils, which can help them thaw faster. A dirty or clogged air filter can cause coils to freeze, so also check the filter while the coils thaw and replace it if needed. Once coils are thawed, turn the air conditioner back on – if it continues to short cycle, call your HVAC company for repairs.
Your air conditioner requires a certain refrigerant charge to operate correctly. If refrigerant escapes the system through a leak, the cooling unit will consume more energy and overwork. This causes the system to overheat and shut down prematurely.
Refrigerant leaks causing air conditioner short cycling must be handled by an HVAC professional. If you suspect your system has a refrigerant leak, call for repairs.
A system that isn’t properly sized for the home is another common cause of air conditioner short cycling. When air conditioners are too large for the space, they cool the home too fast. This results in the cooling cycle ending before the appropriate length of time, causing more starts and stops which wear out parts of the unit.
The only solution for this cause of AC unit short cycling is to replace your cooling unit. Make sure you get the right size by working with a qualified HVAC professional to replace your air conditioner.
If you experience air conditioner short cycling this summer, don’t allow this problem to continue without attention or you will pay the price. Call Grove Heating & Cooling to schedule air conditioner repairs today.
In the summer months, many homeowners in the Bowie, MD area experience excessive indoor humidity. This is more than just an annoyance; it can affect your furniture, your allergies, and your comfort. High levels of humidity can also lead to mold growth, cause your air conditioner to use more energy, and more. Grove Heating & Cooling explains why humidity is higher this time of year and how to decrease humidity for better comfort this season.
Unfortunately, increased humidity is just a natural consequence of warmer temperatures over the summer months. When air is warm, it is able to hold more moisture particles than it can when it is cold, causing higher humidity levels this time of year.
When the air is humid outside, you also feel it inside. Air leaks throughout the home, open windows and doors, and other factors cause humid outdoor air to make its way inside. As humid outdoor air mixes with indoor air, the indoor relative humidity level will also rise and your living areas will feel muggier. Excess moisture buildup can also lead to mold growth which can damage your home and cause health issues.
Air conditioners help some with decreasing indoor humidity levels during the summer, as the cooling process naturally causes some moisture to condense and leave the circulating air supply. If your home’s air conditioner is too large for the area, you may notice that your living areas feel even more humid than they should this time of year. When air conditioners are too big, they start up and shut down again quickly, running a shortened cooling cycle – this is an issue known as short cycling. Because the air conditioner doesn’t run for the proper length of time, you don’t receive the dehumidification benefits you would normally receive from air conditioner use.
If you’re struggling with high indoor humidity this summer, you don’t have to put up with the discomfort all season long. Read our tips below so you can keep relative humidity levels balanced and make your living areas more comfortable.
Take advantage of your home’s ventilation equipment to expel stale, humid air from your living areas this summer. If you have a whole home ventilation system, use it to bring in fresh air, which lowers humidity by also pushing out highly humid air from inside the home. Run exhaust fans when showering or washing clothes in hot water, and use the kitchen range hood when cooking on the stovetop to expel hot, humid air.
You can add more insulation to decrease the amount of outdoor air that infiltrates your home. Add insulation in areas of the home such as attics and wall gaps to keep in cool air and block out hot, humid outside air. Add weatherstripping around windows and doors to seal up gaps, and use caulk to close cracks and other air leaks throughout the home.
While air conditioning units do provide some level of dehumidification in the summer, it often isn’t enough to keep households comfortable in spite of naturally high humidity levels. Installing a whole house dehumidifier gives your cooling system the power to extract more moisture and keep humidity levels properly balanced indoors. An HVAC professional can help you lower indoor humidity levels by installing a whole house dehumidifier and showing you how to operate your new equipment properly.
Grove Heating & Cooling can help homeowners in Bowie, MD reduce humidity levels by using whole home dehumidifiers. Contact us today to request an estimate for whole house dehumidifier installation or to learn about our other indoor air quality services.
As a homeowner, you want your HVAC system to last as long as possible. After all, they quickly become expensive to replace. So how long do heat pumps typically last, and how you can help your heat pump remain fully functional for as long as possible?
In the latest blog post from Grove Heating and Cooling in Bowie, MD, we’ll discuss these questions and more to help homeowners learn what to expect out of their heat pump system.
Able to provide homes with both heating and cooling, you might think that heat pumps have a heat pump’s longevity is shorter than other HVAC systems, as a heat pumps work all year long. However, If your home in Bowie, MD, or beyond utilizes a heat pump, you can typically expect it to last for 10-20 years. This is very similar to the life expectancy of other HVAC equipment, such as furnaces and central air conditioners.
Heat pumps are known for their efficiency and are often able to provide homeowners with much lower heating and cooling costs than traditional HVAC systems are able to. Reach out to a professional to learn more about heat pumps and to determine if they’re right for your home’s needs.
Just like many other appliances, heat pumps require regular maintenance in order to fix any minor issues that occur with normal usage. While other HVAC systems require a tune-up once per year, heat pumps benefit from two appointments per year, as they’re used year-long for both heating and cooling.
By providing your system with regular maintenance, you’ll keep any minor issues from growing and becoming more serious. Any issues that are left unaddressed and unresolved can lead to a complete system breakdown, causing you to replace the system altogether. Ensure that your system is able to last for as long as possible by providing it with the bi-annual proper maintenance service that it needs. If you maintain regular maintenance, you might even extend the heat pump’s lifespan so you can buy yourself some more time before needing to purchase a new cooling system.
It’s a smart idea to know your heat pump’s age, and pay close attention to your heat pump as it nears the end of the heat pump’s life expectancy. Is it heating your home as effectively as it once was? Is it making any strange noises? Anything out of the ordinary should indicate that it’s time to contact a professional to come and inspect your system.
After your thorough inspection is complete, your heating and air conditioning technician should help you decide the next steps. Whether the system needs repairs or a replacement, be sure to have the necessary service performed in order to stay safe and comfortable within your home.
Grove Heating and Cooling has many years of experience in providing residents of Crofton, Bowie, Annapolis, and the surrounding areas with high-quality heat pump services. Whenever your system requires maintenance, repairs, or a complete replacement, count on the experienced and dedicated professionals at Grove Heating and Cooling. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
The hottest days of the year require a high-quality air conditioning system that your home can depend on. Keeping your family safe and comfortable is of the utmost importance, and installing a reliable air conditioner is a great step to take.
Trane is a brand known for quality, and you’ll notice many benefits when you make the switch to a Trane air conditioning system. The team at Grove Heating and Cooling have the Trane Comfort Specialist certification and we’ll discuss some of the many benefits that come with installing Trane air conditioners in your home.
The older that an air conditioner becomes, the less effective it will become. By replacing your old, outdated air conditioning unit with one of the brand new Trane AC units on the market today, you’ll immediately notice more efficient and effective temperatures.
The Trane system’s increased effectiveness will also allow for greater temperature control. If some areas of your home are the perfect temperature, while others are much warmer or cooler, installing a new Trane air conditioner can provide the right solution.
Additionally, it’s important to ensure that your air conditioner is the right size for your home. When you install a new Trane air conditioner, you can talk with your HVAC technician to ensure you’re receiving the Trane systems that are right for your home.
Trane air conditioning systems feature an innovative design that provides the system with excellent efficiency. These systems from Trane meet the standards required by Energy Star, signaling high efficiency which leads to a low overall impact on the environment. Additionally, the efficiency of these systems leads to lower overall energy savings than you might find from other systems.
Old air conditioners often struggle to reach a home’s set temperature in a timely manner. The longer that an air conditioner takes to meet your set temperature, the more energy your system will use. Replacing your current air conditioner with a more energy-efficient model from Trane will help to lower your air cooling costs.
When you choose Trane for your new air conditioning system, you have plenty of options available. Trane offers central air conditioners, heat pumps, and ductless systems to ensure that your needs are fully met.
These units are the most common type of air conditioning system. Trane offers a variety of different central air conditioner models, so speak to a professional that is experienced with Trane systems to find the best unit for your home.
Contrary to the name, heat pumps provide homes with both heating and cooling. These Trane systems are used all year long and provide excellent efficiency and low energy costs.
With a ductless system, you won’t need any ductwork in place to complete the installation process. Instead, multiple ductless systems can be installed in different rooms around the home to provide optimal temperature control.
Trane is know for producing high-quality HVAC equipment. For Trane AC unit installation in Bowie, Crofton, Annapolis and beyond, get in touch with Grove Heating and Cooling today.
As winter approaches, homeowners across Maryland are gearing up to heat their homes through the cold season. Hopefully, your heating system runs flawlessly this year, but it’s always possible a heating issue will arise at some point before warmer weather arrives. To help you understand heating malfunctions and solve them where possible. Grove Heating & Cooling discusses the most common heating problems as well as how to fix them.
Many times when furnaces and heat pumps won’t turn off, it’s not really a heating system issue at all – this is one of the most common heating problems, yet it’s just a mistake with fan settings. If the system fan is switched over to ON instead of AUTO, it will run all the time, which to many homeowners seems like the heating unit is running non-stop.
If you suspect your heating system isn’t shutting down when it should, the first thing you should take a look at is the thermostat. The thermostat controls the blower fan settings and you need to verify the fan is set to AUTO instead of ON. This will cause the fan to shut down when the furnace shuts down, and you won’t hear any equipment running when you think it should be quiet.
If adjusting the settings isn’t the solution you need, a thermostat issue could be disrupting communication to the heater. Pull off the thermostat faceplate, and make sure all of the wiring is securely connected. If tightening or relinking these connections doesn’t solve the issue, you may need a new thermostat.
If your vents are blowing cold air, this is one of the most common heating problems that could also be caused by mistaken fan settings. If the fan is running in between heat cycles, there will only be cold air in the ducts for the blower to force into living areas. Check your fan settings first and adjust them if needed.
Another reason for cold air could be an ignition system malfunction. If the furnace’s ignition fails to light the burners, the system won’t combust any fuel to produce heat. Yet, the blower will run and only be able to send cold air into your home. If your system has a pilot light and it has gone out, follow the instructions in the owner’s manual to relight the pilot light. If your furnace uses an electronic ignition, the hot surface ignitor could be dirty or damaged and should be looked at by a pro.
If you only feel cold air from vents in one room or area of the house, a duct issue may be the cause. If the supply duct feeding that area has become disconnected from the main trunk, warm air from the furnace or heat pump won’t be able to travel to this area. If you can access the ducts, look to see if any ductwork has fallen out of place. You may be able to repair this yourself, or call your HVAC tech to make the fix.
Sometimes, a power source issue is behind most common heating problems where the furnace won’t turn on. Once you fix the power issue, it’ll start right up if there is a problem.
If your conventional furnace still won’t start, there may be a stuck limit switch or faulty flame sensor. Call your heating and air conditioning system technician to inspect these components and make repairs or replace them if needed.
Most common heating and furnace problems can result from a number of different issues throughout the system – some are easily fixed at home while others require professional assistance. Having regular maintenance performed on your HVAC system and replacing dirty air filters on a regular basis can help prevent breakdowns from occurring. If you are unable to correct your heating issues, call Grove Heating & Cooling for fast, reliable heating repairs.
Humidity is something many people consider a summertime issue, even though it should be a concern year-round. While we hate it when there’s too much moisture in the air and the summer months feel muggy, too often we forget there are times when we could use a bit more than we have. This winter, look out for the signs that you need a humidifier – Grove Heating & Cooling explains what to watch for!
In the winter, cold air becomes dry and can wreak havoc on our bodies as well as our comfort levels indoors – and so much more. Homes should be kept between 30 and 50 percent relative humidity, which can be hard to do without help when it’s cold outside and raise low humidity levels. A humidifier may be the tool you need to improve your cold weather experience. Watch for these signs that you need a humidifier, and contact the heating, air conditioning and indoor air quality experts at Grove Heating & Cooling to have a whole house humidifier installed to your HVAC system right away.
When exposed to very dry air on a consistent basis, the body loses important moisture needed to keep you comfortable. Your experience cracked or dry skin, which can bleed or become painful. Your lips become chapped and cracked, which lip balm just doesn’t seem to combat well. Your mucus membranes lose moisture, causing your eyes, nose, and throat to feel scratchy. You may also experience more nosebleeds due to dry nasal passages.
Any of the physical symptoms above can be caused by dry air and are signs that you need a humidifier. When homeowners run whole house humidifiers, they add moisture to indoor environments to offer quick relief of these symptoms. Unlike portable humidifiers, which add moisture to a single room or area of the home, a whole house system provides coverage to the entire home.
Unfortunately, many of the signs that you need a humidifier mimic symptoms that can also be linked to a winter cold. Congestion is one of those symptoms that can be tricky to decode. While congestion is common when you have a cold, it eventually goes away. If you feel congested constantly at home, experience difficulty breathing due to congestion as you sleep, or especially notice congestion as you wake, these are signs that you need a humidifier.
Using a humidifier will replenish your indoor environment with moisture and should alleviate these troubling physical symptoms of dry air exposure.
The condition of wood floors and wood furnishings in the home can display signs that you need a humidifier. The wood naturally holds some moisture, but dry air exposure sucks the moisture right out. Wood floorboards, cabinets, and other pieces can warp and even crack. If your floorboards squeak in the winter and you notice doors don’t shut properly, these are signs that you need a humidifier. Failing to use a humidifier indoors if you have certain types or brands of wood flooring could cause you to accidently void your product warranty, as some manufacturers require humidifier use to protect these materials.
Your body won’t stay as warm in dry air as it will when air has ample moisture. Moisture helps trap heat against your skin so your body feels warmer while dry air robs you of this warmth, forcing you to crank up the heat to make up for the loss. If you and your loved ones need to turn thermostats up higher to stay warm, these are signs that you need a humidifier.
If you observe any of the signs that you need a humidifier, don’t wait to take action. Call Grove Heating & Cooling and have a new, whole house humidifier placed into service as soon as possible so you can enjoy the relief that added humidity will provide inside your home. For all of your indoor air quality and cooling and heating system needs, don’t hesitate to reach out to Grove.
Mold can cause serious damage to a home and wreak havoc on the health of occupants. Mold problems in a home should never be ignored – as a homeowner, it’s important to recognize how mold grows indoors and take action to eliminate it as well as prevent its regrowth. Grove Heating & Cooling explains how to get rid of mold in your home using helpful HVAC equipment.
Before you can understand how to eliminate dangerous mold, you first need to learn why it can grow inside. Mold spores are always present in the air, no matter what you do. When these spores come into contact with the conditions they need to grow and thrive, they become a problem.
As mold spores naturally circulate through the air in a home, spores can settle on wet surfaces and grow. As mold grows, new spores are released into the air and they circulate to other areas of the house, where they can continue to grow and reproduce if they come into contact with the moisture they need to thrive.
Mold always needs water or moisture to survive. In a home, it’s fairly normal to spot some minor surface mold or mildew growth in areas that are frequently wet, such as in showers or around bathtubs. Eliminating mold growth in these spots is fairly simple by cleaning with a bleach solution and keeping the areas dry.
Indoor mold can get out of hand in homes with moisture problems. Unresolved plumbing or roof leaks can cause an abundance of moisture in the home, leading to mold growth problems. Excessive humidity in the indoor air is another issue that causes high moisture levels throughout the home that are conducive to mold growth. If humidity levels are left unchecked, a serious mold problem is likely to develop over time.
If you find mold growing in your home, cleanup is necessary for mold removal. Eliminating mold in your home that is minor and doesn’t cover large areas can typically be done yourself using a bleach and water solution. Larger mold issues should be treated by a mold remediation specialist to ensure all harmful mold is eliminated from the home.
In addition to cleaning, getting rid of mold in your house involves fixing the source of excess moisture. Depending on the cause of the moisture issue, this may involve repairing a leaky roof, fixing plumbing leaks, or treating airborne humidity.
Anytime you find mold in your home, you need to move fast in removing mold. Allowing mold to linger can provide further time for it to spread and reproduce, causing considerably more damage to your home.
Humidity issues are common contributors to mold growth. A home’s air can hold more moisture depending on several factors such as the outdoor environment, construction materials, insulation, design of the home, and the air tightness of the structure. Eliminating mold in your home and preventing its reoccurrence involves addressing your humidity issue directly.
The best way to combat indoor humidity problems is by using a whole home dehumidifier. A whole home dehumidifier is a type of indoor air quality product that is installed to work with the main heating and cooling system. Installed on the return side of the system, air circulating through ducts back to the HVAC system will first pass through the dehumidifier. Here, air is cooled to lower its temperature, forcing extra airborne moisture to condense and fall out of circulation before air passes into the heating or cooling system for temperature treatment. Additional indoor air quality products like media air cleaners can remove mold spores from circulation or UV light air purifiers can neutralize spores in circulation, limiting your risk of future issues.
If you have an indoor humidity problem, eliminating mold in your home and stopping future mold growth involve the installation of a whole home dehumidifier. Turn to Grove Heating & Cooling for installation of dehumidifiers and other indoor air quality equipment that can help you combat indoor mold. Call us today to learn more.