The Hidden Costs of Ignoring Mold in Your AC Ducts

When it comes to building maintenance, AC ducts are often ignored. After all, you can’t always see what they may be harboring. Ignoring your ductwork can lead to a severe buildup of mold in your AC, resulting in several hidden costs.

Mold doesn’t just impact indoor air quality, but also your health, energy bills, and potentially the value of your building. Here’s what you need to know about the hidden fees of ignoring mold in your ductwork.

Costs Associated With Your Health

One of the biggest concerns with mold in your AC unit is poor indoor air quality, which affects the health of you and other occupants.

Being exposed to mold or poor indoor air quality can lead to the following:

• Respiratory issues: Mold spores circulate through your home or business whenever the system runs, triggering allergies, coughing, sneezing, and asthma flare-ups.
• Short-term exposure effects: Individuals who experience mold exposure for short periods may experience headaches, itchy eyes, fatigue, or sore throats that persist.
• Long-term exposure effects: Prolonged mold exposure can lead to more serious conditions, especially for children, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems.
• Medical bills and medications: From over-the-counter allergy relief to repeated doctor visits, healthcare costs add up quickly when mold in your AC isn’t addressed.

Energy Efficiency Costs

Dirty air ducts don’t just reduce your health but also the efficiency of your AC system. When ductwork has a buildup of mold, dust, and other debris, it causes your HVAC system to work harder, leading to serious costs.

Your building’s energy efficiency will experience the following:

• Blocked airflow: Mold buildup narrows passageways, reducing airflow and preventing efficient heating or cooling.
• Higher utility bills: Expect an increased energy bill as your system runs longer to maintain the same level of comfort. In fact, this is a common sign of mold in your air ducts, so get in touch with a professional.
• Shortened HVAC lifespan: Overworked units wear out faster, causing more maintenance and repairs. It also causes your system to have a shortened lifespan.

Loss of Home Value

Mold remediation doesn’t happen overnight because it’s difficult to remove effectively. So, buildings that have serious mold problems may diminish your investment opportunities.

In other words, mold growth can lower your building’s value in the following ways:

• Spread beyond ducts: Mold can move from ducts into insulation, drywall, or vents, creating a larger problem that spans your entire building. That’s why it’s critical you address HVAC mold problems as soon as possible.
• Red flags for buyers: During inspections, mold is a deal-breaker for many prospective homeowners. Even if the mold is contained, buyers may hesitate or negotiate for a lower price. As a result, you may lose out on potential revenue or be required to remediate the mold before selling.

Mold Remediation Costs

The longer you let mold sit in your ductwork, the more expensive the solution becomes.

You can expect the following costs when needing mold remediation:

• Professional remediation: Instead of a simple cleaning, you may face the cost of full ductwork replacement, deep cleaning, or HVAC repairs. The solution will depend on the extent of the mold growth.
• Whole-building impact: If mold spreads beyond your ducts, remediation may involve tearing out and replacing walls, insulation, or flooring. What starts as a manageable cleaning service can turn into a major restoration project.

Contact Top Star Air Pros to Save

With all these hidden costs behind mold in your AC system or ductwork, you should be proactive in eliminating it. Regular air duct inspections and cleanings stop mold from getting out of hand. As a result, you’ll save time and money in the long run.

So, contact Top Star Air Pros today. We specialize in mold prevention, cleaning, and remediation for homeowners and businesses. Give our team a call today to learn more about our services. We’ll inspect your AC ducts for mold growth and provide a solution that eliminates it.

Contact us today via form or call us at (832) 990-9333.