Florida’s Outdoor Air is Naturally Wet Enough for Mold Growth
Florida: a breathtakingly beautiful state and a great place to live.
Its great weather, however, has a downside.
According to the Matador Network, Florida is the 3rd most humid state in the US, and is home to all 20 of the most humid cities in America.
What that means in the context of mold, mildew, and indoor air quality is something that every homeowner and small business owner in Florida should be aware of:
- According to the US CDC home humidity should be kept at levels no higher than 50%.
- When humidity rises above 50-60%, mold starts growing, sometimes very rapidly.
- Yet natural, year-round average humidity in Florida is about 85.58%!
In simple terms, in Florida, the outside air alone contains enough moisture for mold to grow—without an additional source of moisture being required.
Where other states suffer their worst mold problems due to leaks, floods, and other direct water intrusion events, Florida has the additional problem of the natural air alone being wet enough for mold to start growing.
Your AC is Part of the Solution, and, Often, Part of the Problem
Air conditioners in Florida homes are a major part of both the solution to mold growth, and the problems caused by it.
The science supports this and our Tampa mold remediation specialists run into it all the time in the real world.
To help prevent mold problems at home, be sure your AC works properly, don’t shut it off or raise the temperature too high when you go out of town, and consider getting it checked once or twice yearly for mold growth.
Any mold inside of the AC unit or ducting is likely to be spread around the entire home, as your AC works to deliver cool air to all rooms of the home.
A properly working air conditioner that is the right size for your home will help prevent mold growth. Just be sure that your AC and ductwork aren’t themselves moldy.
Ceiling fans and dehumidifiers are also great add-ons that help reduce indoor humidity levels and protect from mold growth.
“Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you can—no higher than 50%–all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. You can buy a meter to check your home’s humidity at a home improvement store.”
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
If you suspect you have a mold problem at home, or that your air conditioner or ducts may be moldy, call Mold Solutions for a free environmental consultation at (727) 276-4787.
