Mold in air handler (air purifiers?)

doctorcilantro

Since we moved into an apartment, our AC has broke down twice. Once the cap outside at the blower blew up (lightning surge?).

Anyway, 2nd time I got a peek in the air handler, and there is a bunch of nasty looking white mold on the walls, not the coils. I haven't been able to check the coils yet.

I read about coil cleaner, but wondering if after I clean the mold off, if I should get an air purifier. Do they work?

We have lots of carpet, two small, kids and a cat.

I don't have the option of getting the ducts clean or adding any germicidal UV lights up there I'm guessing, but I'd like to be proactive, and if an air filter/purifier will help cut down on dust (since I don't use a cover for my turntable) that would be great. I haven't noticed a ton of dust on my table actually since I have been using a better air filter (which does slow the flow somewhat I'm sure - but this sucker blows too hard it seems).

The maintenance guy said the filter blew relays because it was too clogged. Never had that problem at my house leaving an air filter in for an extra few weeks.

munk

I've had a whole bunch of air purifiers, the main brands of water and filter, even the metal plate type purifiers. Two of our children are/were very reactive to allergens, and living in Montana the winters are very drying inside because of the contant need for heat.

I don't know what a air handler is. But every water and filter type tank developes mold.
Changing the water often helps. You can clean with various materials but the mold comes back. You can buy new filters constantly... Ultimately I resigned to attacking each tank once a week or so. The manufacturers have reccomendations for care and cleaning, but all I ever accomplished was a holding pattern on the mold.

We had a air purifier in every room. Sometimes I thought my life should be measured not in time served but tanks cleaned. I should note that putting chemicals in the water is almost always against the manufacturer's adivse, and that we're on well water. If you lived in the city and had treated water that should hold the growths down a bit.

I recall you are not supposed to use bleach on mold. It doesn't help.
A vaccum with a hepa filter bag will help the dust in your home.

munk

decal

You do not need an air purifier you need a humidifier.There is too much moisture in your house.That's what is causing the mold.

gdb

I think you meant a dehumidifier. Whatever it is you've got in your HVAC system, you need to find out what it is, Fast !! A/C is where Legionaire's Disease came/comes from !!:eek: Nothing like a little chlorine bleach for tidying things up.:D

Lost

decal wrote: »

You do not need an air purifier you need a humidifier.There is too much moisture in your house.That's what is causing the mold.

I think you mean a dehumidifier...If you want a good air cleaner your going to have to spend some bucks. I have one of these in the basement:

http://www.air-purifiers-america.com/product.asp?product=IQAir-HealthPro-Plus

doctorcilantro

We live in Florida. The apartment is on the 2nd floor. Very humid here of course.

We could get a dehumidifier I guess; I'm not uncomfortable in the apartment but maybe I could get something to measure the humidity (of course the mold, you're saying, is evidence of excess moisture).

Yes, the air handler is the "AC unit" inside our apartment.

Legionaires Disease? WTF. yikes....

munk

The air in our home in winter is very very dry, and we still get mold in the machines. The air is so dry the skin on the heels of my feet crack open and bleed. I lived in the Mojave desert and it has nothing on the dryness in Montana in Winter. When it's 20 below most often the moisture in the air is gone. Then the heating takes whatever moisture from the air in your home. There is still mold!!

People use bleach for the mold in their showers and tubs and this does not work. The mold comes right back. There are much better chemicals to use.

tonyb

Thing is,if there's mold in the a/c, it's blowing the mold spores around the inside of your living area. All sorts of illness has been linked to exposure to mold. Given where you live, it's no secret that mold is a huge problem down there. Get a dehumidifier, and get that A/C cleaned out,or scrap it for another.

munk

That's true- but it's also true there is mold everywhere we are adapted to and unaware of. Getting rid of mold is like cleaning the kitchen sink of germs....

I'd get a specific mold cleaner and tackle the AC. Getting a new AC will last but a short while and the mold will come back.

Polkersince85

One of your issues IMO may be that the blower is blowing too hard. A slower velocity will allow the A/C coils to condense the moisture out of the air better. Get the tech to slow the blower down a notch.

Pauly

Not sure how old the Apt's you are living in are, but i have the same problem from time to time. Having a little know-how, when i moved into my "older" Apt the first thing i did was cleaned the coils with a mild hot water/bleach solution with a cheap plastic toilet brush. You would be surprised what comes out of it even with a good filter and not knowing how the previous tenat did on the keep up. Helps improve air-flow for one and gets it clean. As far as the mold i leave my A/C set at 78 and my ceiling fan on when i am not home. Tends to keep it dryer and less humid.

Living in Fl sucks in some ways, but at least we dont have snow, eh?

Hope this helps out.

Pauly

Tony M

I had a mold problem in a window a/c unit and a tech came and saw it and said this spray disenfectant would help alot but once mold starts, it's hard to eliminate without replacement units. He also said moisture was the reason for the mold growth!! the spray fungicide really works great!!

I had to go to my appliance parts store in town and told the guy at the counter I needed a/c disenfectant and coil cleaner. total was 17.00+.

I have the a/c under control now but I had to re-spray into my unit once a week for three weeks. The spray is called:

bio-fresh* cd.....made by Nu-Calgon.

Then there is the foam coil cleaner but the spray for the mold is awsome. I have sprayed other units as a preventative measure and I have almost the whole 32 oz. bottle still left.

Get you some if you can!!!

doctorcilantro

Polkersince85 wrote: »

One of your issues IMO may be that the blower is blowing too hard. A slower velocity will allow the A/C coils to condense the moisture out of the air better. Get the tech to slow the blower down a notch.

This would be in line with my observations; does seem to blow a lot.

doctorcilantro

THANKS GUYS. Should I just do this myself or having the "leasing office" take care of it. I'd rather do it myself and do it right I think.

Tony M

Definitely tell them and see what they want to do.

I also use an ozone fresh air sanitizer once in a while. One of those 600.00 models.