Your attic is probably one of the most neglected areas of your home. It does however play a very big role in your home. To have a properly running home, one area of your attic that you should pay attention to is attic ventilation But why? Read on and see for yourself.

Your home's attic can get extremely hot in the summer months. This heat will do several things to your home. For starters it will increase the temperature of your roof deck. This will cause your asphalt shingles to bake on your roof and will significantly reduce their life. Secondly a hot attic will radiate heat down into your home. When you consider that a poorly ventilated attic can get to over 160 degrees you can imagine just how much heat it can poor into your home. This causes your home to be uncomfortable and will greatly increase the amount of energy that your homes HVAC system uses.

Another thing that poor ventilation will cause is moisture buildup. This is especially true in the winter months. If attic air is not ventilated water vapor can quickly build up. This water vapor can cause a variety of different problems. It will rust metal objects in your attic like plumbing straps, nails and screws. It can also lead to mold and mildew growth on the underside of the decking, rafters and insulation. This will make your home not only uncomfortable but also unsafe.

So what can you do about it? You should call a local Help U Build and discuss your ventilation options. There are several different methods available to ventilate your attic and they will be able to design you a system that works for your situation. The best thing about attic ventilation is that it pays for itself so you hardly have to worry about the cost. You will recoup it in just a few years in many cases. So what are you waiting for, call a us today.

The primary byproduct of air conditioning is moisture.  Both central air and portable units are susceptible to attracting mold spores because they provide oxygen rich and moist environments that molds thrive in.  Molds are a type of fungi that produce microscopic cells called spores that are easily spread through the air, especially with the help of an air conditioner.

Air conditioners can become breeding grounds for mold when dust gets deposited on the cooling fins and becomes damp as the air conditioner condenses water out of the air.  This damp dust provides the setting for mold growth.  An air conditioning system that is properly designed, installed and maintained shouldn’t cause mold growth.  However, systems that are improperly designed or oversized may cool the air, but not remove enough moisture.  Mold growth can also appear in air conditioning systems have been improperly installed, are in need of maintenance or that have water drainage problems.

Unchecked mold growth can lead to health problems.  Touching mold or inhaling mold spores can trigger allergic reactions or asthma attacks in sensitive individuals.  In addition to respiratory problems and fungal infections mold exposure can also irritate the eyes, lungs, nose, skin and throat.  Those at greatest risk of adverse health effects from mold exposure are individuals with respiratory conditions, allergies, infants, small children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

Ways To Prevent Mold Growth In Air Conditioners Include:

• Make sure the condensation pan is not overflowing, causing water to collect on the floor.   Make sure the drainage line is clear and unblocked.
• Regularly clean air conditioning filters and allow them to dry thoroughly before reinstallation.
• Have semi-annual maintenance checks on your HVAC system and duct work conducted by professionals.
• Install an ultraviolet (UV) light in a duct near the condensation pan.

Moisture control is the key element to keeping an air conditioning system free of mold.  Any signs of water damage around the air conditioning system need to be addressed within 24-48 to prevent mold growth.  Visible moisture around the base on an air handler is often evidence that the condensation hose or drain pipe is blocked and should be flushed immediately.

If you discover mold on hard surfaces, wash it thoroughly with detergent, bleach and water and dry the area completely.  Remember, there is no foolproof way to eliminate indoor mold growth; the best defense is to control moisture to inhibit a mold-friendly environment.

Help U Build has an HVAC department, call today for a free inspection.

HVAC routin inspection and maintenance will save you money and give you a cleaner air.