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How Heat Pump Service Keeps Your Home Healthy & Comfortable

Keeping Your Home Comfortable With Regular Heat Pump Maintenance

How Heat Pump Service Keeps Your Home Healthy & ComfortableHeat pumps require regular maintenance, just like a conventional heating and cooling system. But what does that mean, exactly? And, what difference does it make?

The short answer is that regular maintenance, or a tune-up, is like an inspection for your car: A certified tech goes over dozens of inspection points and addresses any problems. You get better comfort, improved indoor air quality, and lower bills as a result.

And, when it comes to heat pumps and mini split systems, there’s an extra step to consider: A deep cleaning.

It’s not something you usually need with a furnace or central air. But, it makes a big difference with heat pumps.

Since that’s our specialty, we’re focusing on mini splits or ductless systems and heat pumps in this article. We’ll go into more detail about tune-ups and then talk about the benefits of a separate cleaning.

And, if your Treasure Valley home or business uses a heat pump system, we’re here to help! Feel free to call us any time with questions about your system’s energy usage or performance. Or about your comfort and indoor air quality. You don’t need an appointment to get the answers you need. Click below or call (208) 779-5596.

Related: Four Factors To Consider When Buying Air Conditioner

Do Heat Pumps Need Servicing?

Heat pumps need regular servicing, or tune-ups, just like traditional furnaces and central air. These inspections and cleanings prevent breakdowns, comfort issues, and excess energy use. Tune-ups are recommended in the spring and fall, before the cooling and heating seasons, respectively.

This all falls under regular maintenance and needs to be done by a certified HVAC technician. However, mini split heat pumps systems and traditional systems differ because mini splits often require separate cleanings.

We’ll talk about those a little more in a moment. For now, let’s dive deeper into your tune-up.

Related: Who Should I Trust To Maintain My Heat Pump?

What Do I Get With A Heat Pump Tune-Up?

Heat pump tune-ups take about an hour for both mini splits and ducted setups. Your tech goes through dozens of inspection points on all the equipment. They check all electrical connections, ensure the motors are working correctly, and ensure there are no signs of refrigerant leaks.

At the same time, they’ll identify any parts that appear worn out or broken. This step avoids bigger problems while your system works harder in the summer and winter.

That’s when weakened parts break, or a small amount of damage gets worse and causes a breakdown.

Related: What Could Go Wrong With An Improper Mini Split Installation?

Your tech will also clean out your system as part of the maintenance visit. While that part of the process helps your mini split run smoothly, it doesn’t eliminate all the problems that can — and often do — arise from dirt, microbial contamination, and other buildup in your air handlers and heat pump. 

That’s where the deep cleaning comes in. 

Heat Pump Service Vs. Deep Cleaning

A heat pump service call involved a licensed HVAC tech inspecting and optimizing your system’s electrical components and moving parts. A deep cleaning reaches every surface inside your air handlers and heat pump to flush out and eradicate all dirt, allergens, mold spores, bacteria, and other buildup. 

They’re two different services. Even as a world-renowned mini split cleaning service, our HydroKleen208 techs can’t identify or fix mechanical or electrical problems. But, most HVAC contractors can’t get your system nearly as clean as we can. 

Related: How Often Should A Mini Split Be Cleaned?

That’s why both a tune-up and cleaning should be part of your regular maintenance routine. You’ll rarely need more than one cleaning each year. And, in some cases, you can go even longer between visits. 

But, it’s still an essential service — and that becomes more apparent as these systems become more popular here in the U.S.

Buildup And Contamination In Ductless Systems

Over time, dust, dirt, bacteria, and mold spores build up inside the air handlers of a ductless system. These pollutants get sucked in with the air and build up or cultivate on the components. The coil gets particularly dirty and ends up looking like this:

A Ductless System Can Get Moldy If Not Taken Care Of

 Heat pumps have similar problems: All sorts of stuff accumulates or grows in and on the outdoor units. And getting rid of it is challenging.

The reason is that you can’t just take these apart and clean them. There are dozens of small, delicate components in each one. And, doing so voids the warranty.

Even if you did, you’d then have to scrub every single surface manually. It would take hours — even for an experienced HVAC technician. And, you’d need them to do it anyway to keep your warranty.

Meanwhile, all that buildup causes a host of problems.

Your system uses more electricity than it should and leaves hot and cold spots in your home. That’s because the dirt and mold block the airflow, preventing the air handler from working correctly.

Even worse, it affects your health: All that junk circulates back into the air you breathe. In all: you’re uncomfortable, feeling sick, and paying more on your electric bill.

Benefits Of Heat Pump Deep Cleaning

A HydroKleen208 heat pump cleaning eliminates these problems when they stem from dirty components. We use custom-made tools and strong yet nontoxic cleaners that flush out and sanitize the entire system.

Remember that coil we showed you before? Here’s a photo where we cleaned half of one and then stopped to let the homeowner see the progress:

You Can See How Dirty A Mini Split System Can Get

The results? Better indoor air quality. Better comfort. And lower electric bills.

Related: What Does It Cost To Clean A Heat Pump?

Heat Pump Cleaning In Boise, ID

HydroKleen208 guarantees the most effective and comprehensive heat pump cleaning in Boise, ID and as far north as McCall. You can click here to learn more about what we do. Or click below or call (208) 779-5596 to learn more or schedule your appointment.

Are You Too Tired At Home? Mold Exposure May Be The Reason.

Are You Always Too Tired At Home? Mold Exposure May Be The Reason.

Are You Too Tired At Home? Mold Exposure May Be The Reason.Are you tired all the time? If so, you’re not alone — especially not today. Surveys from early 2022 point to around 60 percent of American adults constantly feeling tired, particularly at home. Hectic work schedules, excess screen time, sleep deprivation, and stress contribute to this trend. And, we can add one more common cause: Mold exposure.

You probably already know that being around a lot of mold can make you sick. After all, it’s why we worry about it growing in our homes. But, do you know what health problems mold can cause — or how varied or subtle they can be?

It’s more than just “feeling sick,” although that’s a start. 

Everything from skin rashes to asthma attacks to even vertigo or depression can stem from too much mold around you. But then again, plenty of other factors can trigger those symptoms. 

So, microbial contamination, like breathing in spores at home, usually isn’t the first thing you or your doctor consider when diagnosing these medical issues.

Before we go any further, we need to stress: We’re not doctors! But, our service plays a vital role in removing mold from people’s homes. As a result, we’ve learned to recognize the signs of mold problems in a house or business and the physical symptoms that stem from exposure. 

HydroKleen208 specializes in mini split and heat pump cleaning in Boise Metro and Valley County in Idaho. And these systems are notorious for breeding mold that circulates in the air you breathe. 

If you’re experiencing signs of fatigue or other health concerns, please consult your general practitioner right away. After that, it’s worth checking your home for signs of a mold problem. Finding and fixing that can be the key to feeling better and healthier. 

This article will explore the relationship between mold exposure and feeling tired. Then, we’ll touch on how to identify and address a mold problem in your home. And, if you use a mini split or other heat pump system in your home, you’ll especially want to read till the end. 

Meanwhile, you can always call us with any questions or concerns about the indoor air quality in your Treasure Valley home or business. We’re here at (208) 779-5596.

Can Mold In Your House Make You Tired?

More than three decades of research show that mold exposure, particularly at home, can cause people to feel tired or develop chronic fatigue. It’s due to mycotoxins, which are toxins produced by mold, decreasing oxygenation in the body, among other reactions that cause people to feel tired.

More Signs Of Mold Exposure

Fatigue isn’t the only symptom of mycotoxin exposure. People may also feel sick, develop rashes, start wheezing, or otherwise have difficulty breathing. These issues are even more pronounced for people with mold allergies.

Related: Can Black Mold Cause Vertigo?

Even more severe reactions can include “brain fog” or trouble concentrating, immune deficiencies, and other serious health issues that can become chronic.

However, part of the problem with identifying these is that they mimic many other issues. For instance, many of those minor symptoms can look like seasonal allergies or a reaction to different fabrics or laundry detergents.

And neurological issues can stem from a wide variety of causes. That’s why it’s also essential to look for other signs of mold in your home and address any you find.

Three Common Signs Of Mold In Your Home

Along with physical symptoms, the most common signs that your home has a mold problem are:

  • Persistent Musty Or Mildew Smell
  • Finding Spots On Furniture, Walls, Or Clothing
  • Walls Are Warped

Related: What Is The Best Temperature To Prevent Mold In My Home?

Persistent Musty Or Mildew Smell

Musty smells are a sign you have standing water or excess moisture somewhere. That means mold isn’t far behind if it’s not already growing. A mildew smell, more specifically, is a sign of fungus and organic growth.

Finding Spots On Furniture, Walls, Or Clothing

Collections of mold spores often take the form of round, colored spots and splotches on many surfaces in the house. Smaller ones may be flat, or they grow to become sticky or fuzzy.

Walls Are Warped

Bulging walls, bubbling or peeling wallpaper, or other damage is often a sign of mold growing where you can’t see it. And, even if that’s not the problem, it may be soon: Those are usually signs of water damage, possibly from a plumbing problem.

Common Mold Problems With Mini Splits

You are very likely to have a mold problem in your home if you’ve had a ductless mini split system for more than a year. It turns out that the air handlers become infested with mold very quickly, and they’re hard to clean. As a result, your heating and cooling system constantly spreads spores through the air it circulates.

Related: What You Need To Know About Microbial Contamination In Mini Splits.

For example, here’s a photo of the coil inside an air handler. We cleaned one side and left the other half dirty so the homeowner could see the difference:

You Can See How Dirty A Mini Split System Can Get

And, we’re sorry to say, that’s what we find most often when we show up for a cleaning. The problem is that the insides of these units are dark, moist, and warm — perfect for mold and other microbial contaminants to grow.  Meanwhile, it’s not easy to clean these out. You’d have to disassemble the entire thing, which voids the warranty unless a professional does it. Then, each tiny component needs to be scrubbed and sanitized, which could take hours and hours for a single air handler.  That’s where we come in.  Related: How Often Should A Mini Split Be Cleaned? HydroKleen208 uses equipment and nontoxic cleaners exclusively designed to flush out virtually every bit of dust, dirt, mold, bacteria, and other contaminants from a mini split system.  We have the benefit of a decade-plus of research and development. Our parent company, HydroKleen Global, has been working on the problem in other countries where mini splits have been widely used for years.  Now, we bring that technology to homes here in the Treasure Valley. You can read more about our process and what to expect from a cleaning in our Learning Library.

Mini Split And Heat Pump Cleaning In Kuna, ID

HydroKleen208 offers the most effective and comprehensive mini split and heat pump cleaning in Kuna, PA and across the Treasure Valley. With over a decade of ongoing research and development, we guarantee immediate improvements to your indoor air quality and comfort. To learn more or schedule an appointment, click below or call (208) 779-5596.

Vertigo And Black Mold In Your Home: Are They Related?

The Unexpected Relationship Between Vertigo And Black Mold Exposure

Vertigo And Black Mold In Your Home: Are They Related?Sudden dizziness. Problems focusing or keeping your balance. Nausea. Sweating. Sudden hearing loss. The room feels like it’s spinning around you. Could the culprit be mold? The answer may surprise you.

The health impacts from mold exposure are real, and they can be severe. But part of the problem is that the symptoms often mimic many other common medical issues. As a result, you or your doctor may not pinpoint the actual cause right away.

And, yes: One of those problems can be vertigo, especially if your symptoms are new and persistent.

Now, that doesn’t mean mold is automatically to blame. After all, other, more common triggers are migraines, inner ear infections or problems, and head injuries.

But, if your sudden onset occurs along with signs of mold infestation, there’s a good chance the two are related. 

This article addresses the problem on a few different fronts. 

First, we’ll talk about the relationship between mold and vertigo. Then, we’ll talk a little more about the condition itself. Finally, we’ll walk you through how to check for mold in your home and what to do if you find it. 

We need to note that we are not medical professionals, and you should talk to your doctor about any health concerns. 

But, since our specialty is mini split and heat pump deep cleaning, we run into many mold problems in the Treasure Valley.

As a result, we’ve learned a thing or two about the effects of mold exposure. So, we’re sharing those with you here. If these problems sound familiar to you, and you use a mini split or heat pump to heat and cool part or all of your home in Boise Metro or Valley County, give us a call today.

Can Black Mold Cause Vertigo?

Black mold can cause vertigo in direct and indirect ways. First, exposure to mycotoxins in mold causes dizziness, triggering vertigo. Second, people who are allergic to mold can experience vertigo due to mold exposure.

Related: Can Mold Make You Dizzy?

Specifically, many doctors believe allergies can lead to Meniere’s disease, an inner-ear disorder that causes vertigo. While the exact causes aren’t yet known, allergies, viral infections, and head injuries appear to play significant roles. 

And, of course, this is far from the only problem people experience from black mold exposure. Less severe symptoms include rashes, watery eyes, runny noses, and trouble breathing. Other people experience anything from fatigue and nausea to “brain fog” and trouble concentrating. 

Related: Mold Toxicity And Physical Symptoms

What Is Vertigo, Exactly?

What Is Vertigo?Vertigo isn’t a disease itself. Instead, it’s a symptom caused by an underlying condition. For instance, we mentioned Meniere’s Disease as a trigger, along with inner ear infections, migraines, ear infections, and other disorders. It can be a one-time experience or become a chronic problem.
And that depends largely on what’s causing it for you. In the case of mold exposure, you’re likely to experience it more than if there’s a mold problem at home. We’ll talk more about that again later. But first, let’s go back to the physical symptoms you’re experiencing.

Four Ways To Address Vertigo

The four best ways to begin addressing chronic vertigo episodes are:

  1. Visit Your Doctor
  2. Change Your Sleep Habits
  3. Adjust Your Movements
  4. Do Specific Exercises

Visit Your Doctor

Your first step, no matter what, is visiting your doctor. You need to identify and hopefully rule out various illnesses that may be at the root of your problem. Your doctor will also help you put together a treatment plan and may prescribe medication for an underlying issue.

Change Your Sleep Habits

Get into a stress-free routine before bed, so you’re relaxed. Sleep on your back to avoid fluid buildup in your ears.

Adjust Your Movements

Try not to stoop down when picking up something. Don’t stretch your neck too far, and turn your head slowly and carefully. These steps avoid irritating your ears or otherwise triggering an episode. And, returning to your sleep habits: Get out of bed carefully and slowly when you wake up.

Do Specific Exercises

You can find many simple movement exercises that help end an episode or prevent future problems. 

Now that we’ve dug into those symptoms and how to avoid them, let’s talk again about eliminating specific triggers in your home. Specifically, mold. After all, finding and removing a mold infestation helps with more than just vertigo.

Related: Indoor Air Toxins And Their Symptoms

More Signs Of Mold In Your Home

Identifying a mold problem from physical symptoms is tricky because those symptoms mimic other medical issues. So, here are more things to look for:

Related: Healthy Air At Home Is Crucial For People With Asthma

Damp, Musty Smells

Damp, musty smells indicate a good breeding ground for mold (spores need dark, moist, and warm places to grow). And, the must smell on floors and walls can mean there’s already a problem.

Spots On Walls, Furniture And Clothing

Mold growth can take the form of fluffy or slimy spots that are black or white. You can find them on surfaces all over your home, and even shirts and other clothing items.

Warping Walls

Bulges, peeling wall/paper, and other signs that look like water damage may also be caused by mold growth behind the walls. At the same time, there may be a hidden leak that’s contributing to mold.

Ductless Mini Splits And Mold

Now, we need to address a source of mold and spores buildup that’s becoming more and more common in Idaho: Ductless mini splits in homes and businesses.

For the most part, these heating and cooling systems are excellent: THey provide exceptional comfort while using very little energy. But, the downside is that they are prime breeding grounds for microbial contaminants. And, they’re very tough to clean.

Remember how we mentioned that spores require dark, moist, warm places to grow? Well, you just described the inside of an air handler.

Warm air enters the system, and there’s no light in there. As the unit cools the air, water vapor condenses back into liquid. Most of it drains out from the unit, but there’s still some left in there.

The result? Mold growth that ends up looking like this:

A Ductless System Can Get Moldy If Not Taken Care Of

So, how do you get rid of it? 

As we said, it’s not easy — even for a professional HVAC tech. They’d have to take apart each unit in your home and scrub each one manually. That’s incredibly time-consuming when you have to get in between each of the small ridges on that coil we showed you there. 

That makes it very expensive and not consistently effective. Meanwhile, all that junk you see on the coil makes its way back into the air you breathe every day. 

Related: How Often Should A Mini Split Be Cleaned?

Fortunately, there’s a better solution out there: Hydrokleen’s world-renowned heat pump and mini split cleaning process. 

Our parent company, HydroKleen Global, spent more than ten years developing and improving the tools, processes, and nontoxic cleaners necessary to flush out all the dirt, toxins, and microbial contaminants from a mini split system in one quick visit. 

You can read more about our process in our Learning Library. But the long and short of it is: We’ll show you the progress we’re making during our visit so you can see what’s happening. And, we guarantee it improves your system’s performance and makes the air you breathe feel cleaner. 

If not, the cleaning is free. 

Mini Split And Heat Pump Cleaning In McCall, ID

HydroKleen208 provides world-renowned mini split and heat pump cleanings to homes and businesses from McCall, ID down through Boise. Our process eradicates mold, bacteria, and other microbial contaminants that make you feel sick at home. Call (208) 779-5596 with questions or to schedule an appointment.

How Long Does Mold Remediation Take In Homes And Businesses?

How Long Does Mold Remediation Take For Home And Businesses In Idaho?

How Long Does Mold Remediation Take In Homes And Businesses?Most mold remediation, or removal, projects take between one and five days. The timeline and scope of the work depend on how much mold there is, what it’s growing on, and where it’s located.

In particular, the cost and time it takes to remove the mold go up when the infestation is in hard-to-access areas. That’s usually behind your walls. In that case, you’re also dealing with the costs to remove and replace building materials.

Mold remediation can be disruptive and expensive. But, if your family or business are suffering from physical ailments due to exposure, it’s necessary. Not only for your health but also for your home or commercial space. Eventually, that damage can become a structural issue.

Related: Mold Toxicity And Physical Symptoms

Unfortunately, HydroKleen208 can’t help you with large-scale mold removal. Our specialty is mini split and heat pump cleanings. That’s just one small part of remediation and preventing a problem in the first place. But, it’s an important one.

Related: How Mold In Ductless Mini Splits Cause Biotoxin Illness

We’ll talk a little more about how we can prevent a mold problem from taking hold or returning in your Treasure Valley or Boise Metro home or commercial space. For now, let’s look at what to expect when you call a professional.

What Happens During Mold Remediation

A typical mold remediation job follows these steps:

  • Repair Plumbing Problems
  • Isolate Contaminated Areas
  • Eradicate Airborne Pollutants
  • Remove Infested Materials
  • Dry All Wet Materials
  • Clean And Disinfect Infested Areas
  • Replace Or Rebuild As Necessary

The timeline and cost for your home will depend on how bad of an infestation you have. In the worst cases, remediation includes replacing wooden joists or beams that are soft and compromised from mold growing on it.

You’ll also notice that the process includes getting rid of airborne spores. We’ll touch on that more later.

Preparing For Mold Remediation

Your first step toward preparing for mold remediation is getting an air quality sampling or test. Do this before your mold removal company does an inspection, so they have more information to start with.

Next, the removal company inspects everything visible — in other words, they can’t see what’s behind the walls. But, they’ll look for signs of hidden problems.

Home Preparation

First, don’t get rid of anything before the removal begins. Moving furniture or large objects spreads spores to different parts of the house.

Next, document and take pictures of all signs of mold damage before work begins. That way, you can ensure your removal company addresses everything. And you have evidence for an insurance claim or lawsuit.

Related: Toxic Mold Legal Claims

Finally, make arrangements for your pets to stay somewhere else. In severe cases, you’ll want to leave for a few days as well.

Commercial Space Preparation

Before calling a professional, a property manager or landlord should take mold remediation steps. These involve assessing the square footage of moly areas, noting any water damage, cleaning small instances of mold growth, addressing moisture and humidity problems, and investigating any occupant complaints. 

Related: Indoor Air Toxins And Their Symptoms: Boise Metro, Valley County Homes

Assign a mold remediation manager if there’s a persistent problem. And, consult a professional removal company if you’re finding signs of mold throughout the building or if it keeps coming back. 

Order an air quality test before a professional mold inspection, and communicate with your employees, occupants, or tenants about any remediation steps.

Risks Of Mold Returning After Remediation

There’s always a risk of mold returning after remediation. Even if the removal company did everything right, new spores could take hold if you don’t address the conditions that caused the problem in the first place.

One of the biggest drivers of mold infestation is excess humidity in your home. Keeping the relative humidity between 30 and 50 percent at all times significantly reduces the risk of more mold.

Related: What Is The Best Temperature To Prevent Mold Growth In My Home?

Next, avoid clutter and regularly clean behind large appliances. Use exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen to get rid of steam and moisture.

Your HVAC system can help by dehumidifying the air and eliminating standing water. But, it can also pose a risk — especially if you have a ductless system.

Mold Buildup (And Risks) With A Ductless Mini Split System

Over the years, we’ve discovered that ductless mini splits become infested with mold and other microbial contaminants very easily. HydroKleen identified the problem more than a decade ago in countries where ductless systems have been much more common for a long time.

The problem is that, for a long time, there was no good way to clean out the air handlers and heat pumps. Even a professional HVAC company would have to take hours to disassemble everything,

Then, they’d need to scrub every component manually. That gets incredibly time-consuming once you get to the tiny ridges between each fin on a condenser coil.

But, those coils in the air handlers are prime breeding grounds. For example, here’s a picture of a dirty coil we came across:

A Ductless System Can Get Moldy If Not Taken Care Of

That’s why HydroKleen Global developed a unique system especially for flushing out and sanitizing mini split air handlers and heat pumps. With over a decade of ongoing R&D behind the process, our parent company has cleaned more than 1.5 million systems in 45 countries. 

Related: HydroKleen’s Cleaners And Process Are 100% Environmentally-Safe

Now, HydroKleen208 brings that expertise to Boise Metro and Valley County homes and businesses. Clients immediately notice improvements to their indoor air quality and comfort. They can even see it! 

Here’s another picture of a dirty coil. But this time, we cleaned half of it so you can see the difference:

You Can See How Dirty A Mini Split System Can Get

Related: How Often Should A Mini Split Be Cleaned?

Mini Split Cleaning In Eagle, ID

HydroKleen208 provides fast, effective, environmentally-friendly, and non-invasive mini split cleaning in Eagle, ID and across Boise Metro and Valley County. We bring more than a decade of research and development to ensuring your ductless system stays mold-free. To learn more or schedule a cleaning, call (208) 779-5596.

What Is The Best Temperature To Prevent Mold In My Home?

What Is The Best Temperature To Prevent Mold From Growing At Home?

What Is The Best Temperature To Prevent Mold In My Home?The ideal temperature range for mold to grow in your home is 77 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping the house cooler than that prevents growth. But, temperature is only one factor in spores or other organic toxins cultivating.

Related: How Mold In Ductless Mini Splits Causes Biotoxin Illness

Mold, in particular, requires dark places and moisture to grow. That means humidity plays a vital role in your home. And, warm air is always more humid than cold air. That means the summer is when a mold problem is most likely to take hold: 

What’s more, a mold problem won’t go away when the weather cools off. A large infestation continues growing year-round. And, over time, you’ll notice physical symptoms from constant exposure. 

Related: Mold Toxicity & Physical Symptoms

However, the good news is that there are plenty of ways to prevent this problem and related health issues in your home. Your air conditioner, particularly a ductless mini split, can play a crucial role in preventing it. In this article, you’ll learn how — along with some other non-HVAC-related tips.

At the same time, however, mini splits are often responsible for mold problems in homes and businesses — something to watch for. 

We’ll address that problem later in this article. But, if you have any questions about the indoor air quality or ductless system in your Treasure Valley home or business, call us at (208) 779-5596. You don’t need to make an appointment or anything to get more information. 

Recommended Air Conditioner Setting For Preventing Mold

Keeping the air conditioner set at 78 degrees or lower prevents mold buildup in the summer. Even when leaving for a few days or vacation, don’t set it above 80. A higher setting won’t provide enough dehumidification from the cooling process to prevent spores from growing.

This may be tricky for people who like to set the AC high to save money. But, you can take some extra steps that we’ll outline below.

Mold And Home Humidity

Proper Humidity Is Important To Stopping Mold GrowthIn general, the sweet spot for relative humidity in a home is between 30 and 60. No higher than 50 is ideal. That’s the range where mold won’t grow quickly. It also makes your home less attractive to cockroaches and other insects.

However, going below 30 percent can cause problems, including dry or cracking skin and nosebleeds. Air that’s too dry also dries out wood, which can damage flooring, furniture, or musical instruments.

Most smart thermostats also give you humidity readings. Or, you can buy humidistats for readings in different parts of your home.

Related: Can Mold Grow Without Moisture?

Controlling Humidity In Your Home

You can set your forced-air system to “Fan Only” if you don’t want to run your AC too much. That setting circulates air without heating or cooling it, so it doesn’t use as much energy. But, it gets rid of standing water in the system.

Also, avoid long showers and use exhaust fans during cooking. That gets rid of a lot of steam that will condense into water and stay in your home.

Room dehumidifiers are inexpensive and especially useful for basements or other areas of your home that get damp. Or, invest in a whole-home unit that works through your furnace or central air.

Finally, get rid of clutter: piles of stuff can become breeding grounds for mold, especially if they’re near a vent or blocking air from it. And, always drain standing water and dry the area around it.

Related: Healthy Air At Home Is Crucial For People With Asthma

Mold And Your Ductless Mini Split

Mini splits are much more prone to mold buildup than conventional systems. The problem is that the air handlers are warm from the heat transferring from the air to the refrigerant and from all the electronics.

And, there’s a lot of moisture inside them: As water vapor condenses to liquid, not all of it drains out.

The result is a lot of buildup, particularly behind the barrel fans and on the condenser coil. And you don’t get the same kind of airflow as forced-air systems with ducts and vents. So, water is more likely to pool.

People with ductless systems often complain of “stale air,” allergy symptoms, or skin irritation. All the microbial contaminants and biotoxins building up in the unit circulate through the air you breathe when the air handler is running.

For instance, this picture is a perfect example of what we find when we open an air handler:

A Ductless System Can Get Moldy If Not Taken Care Of

How To Clean Mold Out Of Your Mini Split

The best way to clean mold out of your mini split is with a professional deep cleaning. In particular, HydroKleen uses specialized tools and non-toxic cleaners to flush mold spores, bacteria, and all sorts of pollutants out of every nook and cranny in your heat pumps and air handlers.

Related: What To Expect With A HydroKleen208 Cleaning

You can prevent buildup by cleaning each air handler’s filter once a month. Getting rid of that dirt improves airflow and prevents mold growth. And a professional HVAC tune-up twice a year keeps things running smoothly all around. 

But, neither of those takes the place of professional deep cleaning. That’s the only way to sanitize the entire system without spending a lot more money to have someone take apart the whole system and individually scrub each component.

Related: How Often Should A Mini Split Be Cleaned?

Mini Split And Heat Pump Cleaning In Caldwell, ID

HydroKleen208 guarantees the best, most effective mini split and heart pump cleaning in Caldwell, ID and across the Treasure Valley. If you’re not satisfied, the cleaning is free, and we’ll pay for a competitor to come out next. Call us at (208) 779-5596 or click below for a free consultation or to schedule your cleaning.