September is Mold Awareness Month

Established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the purpose of Mold Awareness Month is to educate homeowners about the health-related impacts of indoor molds and toxins. Mold inside your home, school, or office building can be disastrous. Just ask our friends in Lakeway, TX whose elementary school was closed and four homes forced into renovations due to mold.

In 2008, the governors of several major states proclaimed September to be Indoor Mold Awareness Month.  in 2009, other states joined the push to increase the awareness of the public to this potential health issue.  For those who have been exposed to mold and suffered the health problems and allergic reactions, it can be a serious problem. Beyond the health impacts, mold damage has had a significant financial impact on homeowners, landlords, and tenants. In fact, water and mold damage cost insurers approximately $2.5 billion annually (Source: Insurance Information Institute).

Experts say that simple home maintenance is the best way to prevent mold from presenting itself in the first place. When excess moisture accumulates indoors and air circulation is reduced, mold problem areas will develop. For clarification, mold does not consume building materials and it does not cause structural issues. (Fungus does cause that kind of damage but it occurs at a higher moisture.)  Mold is more common and can be dried out, killed, and wiped away.  If you keep the area dry, you will not have further problems.  Homeowners and occupants develop issues with mold when it becomes active and releases spores into the air.  If those spores are not captured by your air filter, they will be inhaled and, like ragweed, can cause an allergic reaction.

According to the EPA, the only way to control indoor mold is to control moisture levels in a home. Ventilation and air flow is a critical component in preventing moisture build-up, and the best way to control moisture is to insure your AC system filter is changed on a regular basis. The choice of filters that you use in your central unit is very important. Not just for the lifespan of the AC unit, but for your well being family and their health as well. And leaving dirty air filters in your heating or cooling system will reduce air flow, resulting in the blower motor to working harder and longer and more energy consumption (not to mention create an increase in moisture content in your home’s air).

The top three things to look for in a quality air filter to help reduce mold in your home:

1. Pleated panel with a metal support grid – This extends the surface area of the filter and allows more contaminants to be captured, resulting in cleaner, fresher air quality. Look for a rust resistant galvanized-dipped metal support that follows the pleats of the filter – this ensure the filter will not buckle when the AC system turns on and off. You also want the filter to be made of high performance synthetic filter media, which will trap moisture as it flows through the air filter, while at the same time provide the right balance of air flow efficiency and filtration.
2. Double-wall framed with moisture-resistant cardboard for structural support – This insures the integrity of the air filter as a critical part of your ac system. Like the metal support grid, this adds another level of support. In addition, the moisture resistant cardboard keeps the walls from getting “wet” as moisture presents in the air, which will prevent the air filter itself from “buckling” (which could lead to costly repairs). 
3. MERV 11 Rating: MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and is a standard for rating the effectiveness of an air filter in removing airborne particulate contaminants. The higher the number the smaller the particles the filter can capture. Don’t be fooled, as some major brand ­air filter companies have decided in recent years to come up with their own rating system to hide substandard design, filtration, and efficiency. The MERV11 rating is recommended by the EPA to provide the necessary air filtration for good indoor air quality.

 Good indoor air quality (IAQ) is important to the comfort, health, and lifestyle of every family. But many people don’t give the air quality in their home a second thought – even when there’s a “funny smell” or an illness or they find mold under the kitchen sink. According to the EPA, changing your air filter on a regular basis (every 2-3 months) is the BEST way to improve your indoor air quality, reduce the wear and tear on your heating and cooling system, and protect your family from health risks posed by contaminated air in the home.

Other ways homeowners can minimize the risk of mold by keeping these tips in mind: 

• Fix any water leaks.
• Clean and dry any damp furnishings within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth.
•  Clean hard surfaces with water and detergent. Dry completely.
• Prevent condensation on cold surfaces (i.e. walls, pipes, roof, floors) by adding fiberglass insulation.
• Do not install carpeting in areas where there may be a perpetual moisture problem in a home.
• Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners, especially in hot, humid climates to reduce moisture in the air.
• Pay special attention to carpet on concrete floors. Carpet can absorb moisture and serve as a place for mold to grow. 
• Use exhaust fans in bathroom and kitchens to remove moisture to the outside.

In honor of Mold Awareness Month, we are offering 10% New Memberships throughout the month of September. Visit http://www.freshairclub.com and use the promo code “MOLDFREE” when joining the Club.