Special offer

10 Ways to Prevent Costly Mold Damage to Your Home, continued..

By
Home Builder with Stewart Construction Inc

10 Ways to Prevent Costly Mold Damage to Your Home, continued..

4. Properly size your AC unit

Make sure your air conditioning unit is properly sized for your house. If it's too small, the unit will run constantly, elevating costs but not the temperature; too big, and the unit will constantly start and stop, which wastes energy, too.

Install an HVAC unit that is just right. For guidance, call an HVAC professional, or consult Energy Star's square footage/AC capacity chart.

 

5. Monitor humidity

An indoor humidity monitor will help you keep track of moisture levels that, ideally, fall between 35% and 50% relative humidity; in very humid climates, at the height of summer, you may have to live with readings closer to 55%.

But if you reach 60% relative humidity, it's time to look for the source of the added moisture; above 70% relative humidity, certain species of mold can begin growing.

Indoor humidity monitors start at about $20; more sophisticated models that simultaneously and remotely track several rooms can climb to $300.

 

6. Evaluate your AC

If you get a high humidity reading, first make sure your air conditioning is doing its job.

  • Is it set to the proper temperature?
  • Is it cycling on and off periodically?
  • Does it blow cold air when it reaches the set point?
  • Are coils clean?

Inspect the condensate drain pipe (the narrow white pipe sticking out the side) to make sure it's dripping regularly. If it isn't, the pipe is blocked and water may be accumulating inside the unit-or on your floor. If you suspect a problem, call your HVAC professional.

To Be continued..... 

By: Karin Beuerlein 

Comments (1)

Roger Davidson
DiSalle Real Estate Co. - Maumee, OH
Maumee, Ohio Real Estate

Good tips for home owners and professionals alike.

Mar 21, 2011 04:16 PM