Air Conditioning Ducts - In Your Home When you have mould growth in your heating/cooling system, you are going to have mould cross contamination in your entire home, courtesy of the air movements of the heating/cooling cycle. Your first step should be an in depth Air Quality Test of your entire home. If there has been cross contamination of mould, duct registers will need to be sealed off with plastic sheeting during the mould remediation process. Removing Mould inside the air ventilation system usually requires replacement of the piping where actual scrubbing of the contaminated surfaces can not be performed. Once the remediation process is complete another thorough air testing must be performed to make sure mould has been removed, especially in the air duct system. Air Conditioning Ducts - Commercial SituationsA variety of factors can contribute to the growth of mould in institutional and commercial facilities, but one all-too-common culprit is HVAC equipment. The HVAC system, including piping and drain pans, can be sources of mould growth and a transportation mode for dispersing mould spores throughout a building. Maintenance and engineering managers who understand the ways that HVAC systems work stand a better chance of developing strategies to prevent such problems. Understanding The ProblemIndoor moulds typically are considered a problem when they are visible or when they are amplified or vary in species compared to outside air. Moulds need water, a food source and the right temperature range to grow. Indoor environments contain a host of food sources, including drywall, carpeting, cardboard, paper, fabrics, wood and building furnishings. In addition, indoor environments are designed to maintain relative temperatures that are conducive to mould growth. The temperatures most humans like and feel comfortable in are ideal for mould growth. The one factor we all dislike is exceptional humidity and dampness, essential for mould colonies to perpetuate in. Controlling moisture inside buildings and homes will reduce and or eliminate the possibilities of mould growth once and for all. Active fungal growth can cause building occupants discomfort and irritation, and it can increase the risk of respiratory illness. A Building Maintenance Manager or Engineer will control mould by reducing and controlling indoor moisture. Attempting to kill mould with fungicides, biocides and cleaners will usuallykill the mould, but it might not remove the problems. Leaving non-viablemould spores in indoor environments, especially in the HVAC system, mightend up complicating indoor air quality (IAQ) complaints. Even moreimportant, the chemicals used to kill the mould will disperse throughout theentire house or building and introduce potentially dangerous irritants tothe inhabitants. It is important for managers to develop and implement apre-emptive plan to prevent mould growth in HVAC systems.