3 Ways Prevent Mold Growth in Your A/C Drip Pan

Posted on: 1 October 2014

If you own a home, you want to be sure that it's a safe and healthy environment for your family. Some dangers to your family's health are hard to spot, such as the presence of mold growth. For mold to grow in your home, it has to find a moist environment. One such environment can be found in and near your air conditioner's drip pan.

The drip pan is designed to collect condensate from the air conditioner and drain it outside your home. If it's not functioning properly, it can encourage mold growth. There are some things you can do to minimize the chance of this happening.

Keep Your Home Clean

If you allow mold spores to accumulate inside your home, it makes it easier for these spores to get into your home's duct system. From there, they're taken directly to the various components of your A/C system and will inevitably end up in your air conditioner's pan. In such a moist and ideal environment, the mold can quickly start growing and spreading. By keeping your home clean, you can reduce the chance of this happening.

Maintain Your System's Filter

A key part of defending your home against mold growth is your A/C filter. The purpose of your filter is to trap particulates like mold spore so they can't travel around your home. However, if you allow your filter to become clogged with dirt and debris, it won't be able to do its job. As a result, mold spores will be more likely to reach the A/C drip pan. This is why it's essential to change your system's filter at least once a month.

Inspect Your Drip Pan

It's a good idea to call in a HVAC contractor such as HVACTECH Systems to inspect your air conditioner's drip pan at least once a year. You might want to include this as part of an overall yearly inspection of your system. If your drip pan is functioning properly, it will immediately drain dripping condensate away from the unit.

If it is not doing this and there is standing water in the drip pan, the technician needs to clear out whatever is blocking the drain and preventing it from functioning. Standing water in the drip pan is an open invitation to mold growth.

You can prevent the growth of mold inside your home if you take the proper steps. One of the most effective things you can do is to make sure your air conditioner's drip pan is draining properly.

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