Although moisture in air ducts may first seem innocuous, if neglected, it could result in
major issues, including the growth of mold or mildew. Moisture in your ductwork may also be a sign of more serious issues that require attention.

Why Is There Moisture in Air Ducts?

Leaks in the Home

Never allow water to accumulate in your air ducts. It might encourage mold growth or the growth of germs and fungi, which could be unhealthy. moisture in air ducts is not a strange thing. Often moisture is seen in air ducts. Leaks in your roofs or leakages in pipes contribute to the growth of moisture in air ducts. Moisture can be introduced into the air duct by the HVAC system itself.

Condensation on Cooling Coils

According to research, a significant factor in the moisture in ducts is condensation on or around the cooling coils of cooling systems. During the operation of the HVAC system, condensation can be produced when the air temperature in the HVAC system is below the ambient air temperature.

When used as intended, more sophisticated systems contain mechanisms that can remove this moisture without damaging the ducting. Poorly installed HVAC systems, improper maintenance, and defective systems can cause condensation to impact the air vents.

Unused and Low-Temperature Air Ducts

Unused air conditioning ducts in unconditioned buildings may become inundated with water during the heating season if prevention steps are not taken in time. Condensation caused by low duct temperatures results in considerable amounts of water accumulating during the winter.

Inside Air

The air within a home is the source of water that has gathered in underused or non-functioning ducts. Some water in the form of water vapor is found in all air. But during the winter, there is more water found in indoor air as compared to outdoor air. When the temperature of air containing water vapor falls low enough, the air condenses and turns into liquid water.

Regardless of the material type of which the duct is made, the condensation impact on the air duct is the same. The physical laws controlling this occurrence are the same for all materials, including duct board, bare sheet material, wrapped metal, flexible duct, or fiber glass lined sheet metal.

Flooding

Flooding can also result in moisture accumulating inside the air ducts. Flooding is a known hazard across the US. Flooding can be caused by ice jams, river flooding, snowmelt, dam failures, and flash floods. One of the most frequent sources of floods is rainwater.

Ground-level HVAC systems expose their equipment to escalating floodwaters. When flooded, floodwater seeps into the coils, fans, and chambers, making them dirty. Professional vent and duct cleaning are required for the HVAC system so that it can be reused safely. The professional air duct cleaning company, upon inspection, may ask you to replace a few parts of the HVAC system.

How Moistness Builds Up in Ducts

In the absence of warm air passing through ducts, they will cool to levels similar to those of an unconditioned area. Insulation cannot maintain steady or increase duct temperatures on its own.

The rate of heat transfer through the duct wall will be slowed by insulation, but unless this heat is replaced, the duct's temperature will drop. The moisture-rich air within the house will start to lose moisture when the temperature drops low enough, forming condensation. Condensation will inevitably continue to form and water will start to build up inside the duct without heat being supplied. Frost and ice will form in the duct if the temperature is low enough. The problem becomes apparent once the unconditioned space warms up and the ice melts.

Moisture Effects on Air Ducts

Your home's whole airflow is supported by air ducts, which also cleanse and circulate the inside air. If your air ducts aren't sustained, mold growth and mildew growth will start to appear there because of the condensation's long-term exposure.

The Appearance of Mold Growth

Mold growth is the main issue with water in the air ducts. Mold spores can grow in a favorable environment in just 48 hours. For mold to thrive, all it requires is an organic food source, warm temperatures, and moisture. All the ingredients for a mold infestation are present in the air ducts.

The vents quickly disperse mold spores throughout the entire house that have invaded the air ducts. The airborne spores settle on furniture, carpeting, and clothing, aggravating the indoor mold issue. As a result, indoor air quality is strongly compromised. Consequently, health problems start to arise due to mold growth in air ducts.In a nutshell, the story that starts with condensation and moisture inside the ducts ends with severe health problems like asthma and other respiratory issues in your family members.

The Course of Action If You See Mold Growth in Air Ducts

The health of your family members is directly impacted by the presence of mold and mildew, so it's critical to identify the infestation as soon as possible. To check for red flags, you must remove the vents from your ceilings, floors, and walls.

Contact a reputable air duct cleaning company if the vents are damp, because in this case, you need vent and duct cleaning of your air conditioning system. The dampness of vents indicates the presence of condensation, so vent cleaning from a professional air duct cleaning company is vital.

Other obvious symptoms that require vent and duct cleaning of your HVAC system include mold odor and black or green stains on the vent walls. These warning signs suggest that condensation-related mold and mildew may have already come into contact with your family.

Fungal Growth

Moisture is necessary for the hatching of fungus spores. Additionally, moisture and nutrients are needed for persistent fungal development. All surfaces of the ventilation system, whether made of metal, plastic, rubber, fiberglass or another material, can and do grow fungi when there is moisture present.

Water Damage

Moisture inside the air ducts may cause water damage to the roof, walls, and ceilings. These materials may eventually erode or deteriorate as a result of excessive dampness. The building's structural stability may be endangered if the structural ruin is ignored for an extended length of time

Inefficient Insulation

The R-value of insulation is affected by the mold growth inside the air ducts. Gradually, the insulation is compressed by the water, which reduces its effectiveness. Homeowners can anticipate greater utility bills and energy loss as the insulation's R-value declines.

The effect of moisture on your home and air ducts is massive. Whatever the root cause may be, the result is harm to your HVAC system. This may lead to the malfunctioning of the air conditioning system. The best thing to do is to contact a professional air duct cleaning company and get it done with air duct cleaning to ensure that your system works smoothly and there are no damages incurred.

How to Stop Water from Entering Air Ducts

Remove The Root Causes

Search for any sources of moisture that may be the issue. Do the roof or water pipes have any leaks? Is the humidifier in your home set too high? Is the vent for the clothes dryer open and free from leaks? Are there any leaks in your furnace's venting system? Do the cooktop and bathroom vents have leakages?

Without addressing the root cause of the issue, you can only find interim fixes for each of these systems' potential leaks. By using a hygrometer, you can get a clear idea of the humidity levels in the house and learn whether they're unusual.

Install Insulation

If your attic isn't already insulated, think about adding it. Condensation doesn't grow on chilly ducts because of insulation. Standard duct insulation is sufficient to prevent condensation from developing and the air ducts from cooling. Another strategy to avoid condensation is to circulate warm air through disused ducts.

Repair Any Water Damage or Leaks as Soon as Possible

Drain pans take in the moisture from the system while cooling coils remove water from the air. Regular inspections of the coils and drain pan are recommended. Drain pans need to be completely emptied since standing water in the pan indicates that it is not functioning properly.

The drain pan has to be clear of any debris and mineral buildup that can hinder its capacity to drain properly and release any water that has accumulated in your vents. This can stop any unforeseen damage, like a pipe breaking, that might happen if it isn't fixed correctly.

Make Use of a Dehumidifier

Use a dehumidifier in the space where water is accumulating in your air ducts once you have made sure that there are no leaks in the entire house. This will reduce air moisture and stop duct condensation.

Minimize Condensation Overflow

Make sure the drain pan does not overflow with condensation. Clear the condensation from the cold pipes, air handling systems, valves, and diffusers.

Appropriate Size of HVAC System

If you have got a new HVAC system, make sure that its size is appropriate to be fixed in your home.A bigger air conditioner system will probably turn on and off more frequently to absorb moisture from the heated air. This in turn will lessen its ability to draw out moisture from the heated air.

You may be paying very expensive electricity bills, having trouble setting a suitable temperature, and having to run the heat and air conditioning cycles for extended periods. This happens when you have a small HVAC system in your home that doesn’t match the size of your home. If you have an appropriate-sized HVAC system in your home, then you’ll be able to attain long-term savings.

Unused Air Conditioning Ducts Should Be Sealed Off

In the winter, block off unused A/C air ducts and supply and return vents if there is still moisture in your air ducts. When the air duct system is located in uncooled regions such as attics, crawl spaces, or garages, it should be shut off and insulated.

By reducing the temperature difference between the air inside the ducts and the air right next to the duct, you’ll be able to stop water from accumulating in the air ducts and reduce dampness or condensation on the ductwork.

In the end, the insulating procedure described above should reduce humidity and control water buildup. In this way, condensation on air ducts can be prevented, and thus the air ducts can function smoothly.

How to Seal Air Ducts?

Take off the return grill or register, and seal the duct openings closed.
Plastic sheeting can be taped over larger gaps to close them up.
Attention should be paid to ensure that complete seals are established, especially in places with high humidity levels, including bathrooms and kitchens.
Depending on the condition, exterior seals on grills and registers may be sufficient.
In addition to serving as an air and water barrier, tape and plastic sheeting are also used to keep out moisture.

Impact of Humidity on HVAC System

Your HVAC system is put under extra stress during hot weather. However, you may be unaware of the impact humidity can have on your ductwork, heating, and cooling systems. It’s not a good idea to turn off your HVAC while it's hot or cold outside.

Air conditioners can suffer from severe humidity and extra moisture. Overly high indoor humidity eventually has a significant effect. Due to the additional water vapor that air conditioning systems must eliminate, this may cause them to work harder. Naturally, this can have an impact on the equipment's effectiveness. For instance, it doesn't provide enough cooling capacity.

Improper Ventilation Adds to Humidity

If your home has a sealed combustion furnace or a power-vented water heater, your HVAC system may be to blame for the wetness. These appliances vent less air into the chimney, and over time, they produce condensation that encourages the growth of excess humidity and may result in mold issues. Condensation forms on the intake pipe during the winter or in other colder climes, when it then drops to the floor.

The home's tighter construction results in moisture from the combustion furnace getting trapped, which raises the indoor humidity. All through the year, its effects will be felt. A mechanical ventilation provides a more dependable technique to control interior humidity as a solution to this problem.

An Excess of Moisture in The Air

When you switch on the air conditioning but the air does not feel chilly, there is probably too much moisture in the air in your house. You might notice fog on the windows, a damp or musty smell in your home, and little to no change in the temperature.

A professional from an air duct cleaning company can locate the source of the moisture, which together with a musty smell points to a potential mold issue in your home. Usually, the excessive humidity and “sweating” lead to a mold issue, which is frequently concealed in a cabinet, your HVAC ducts, your attic, or under furniture.

If you had a humidifier installed before to combat dry air, keeping it on throughout spring and summer may be excessive. Around 25% relative humidity would be the optimal minimum. On the other hand, the humidifier you put in to control the dryness over the winter may be leaking.

Remember that the humidifier and air conditioner might not be entirely to blame. In the summer, a leaky house provides a direct conduit for water vapor to enter.

Although the typical offenders are the windows, doors, crawl spaces, and attic, duct leaks or the house envelope may also be allowing moisture inside. Additionally, unproportioned cooling equipment that is too large for your home may make the issue worse.

This is why it is essential to get your HVAC duct cleaning or complete HVAC cleaning of the system so that moisture, mold, and other contaminants can be detected and removed in time.

Plan of Action

To keep your air ducts clean and dry, there are both immediate and long-term options available.

Here are some actions you can take to remove water from your duct and prevent it from returning.

Use a plastic tarp and tape to patch any gaps you find in your air ducts. This is a fantastic short-term fix for keeping your HVAC system closed.
Disconnect the humidifiers. Operating humidifiers keeps your ducts moist and provides moisture to the air. Just run them at night.
Schedule an inspection of your air ducts by contacting any professional air duct cleaning company, which can guide you properly regarding air duct cleaning for the removal of moisture in your ac ducts.
Install a dehumidifier in your attic or any other room that has a high humidity level.

To ensure that outside water always remains outside and doesn’t affect indoor air, investing in new insulation is the best course of action for long-term care. Inspect the entire home for leaks and cracks in the other vent systems. Your air duct system may have water damage from a fractured clothes dryer tube, a cracked water pipe, or a cracked chimney. Invest in a hygrometer to track the moisture levels in each room and identify trouble spots.

The best way to ensure that water doesn't get into your ducts, though, is to have a team of qualified experts examine them regularly.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes we don’t realize that minor issues in our home or air can cause severe issues in our HVAC system. Often, we tend to neglect moisture forming inside our ac ducts. It’s better to realize the significance of frequently checking your air conditioning system for moisture, mold growth, mildew growth, or animal waste as these contaminants not only harm the functionality of your air conditioning system but also affect the health of your family members.

It is recommended that you get your HVAC system inspected by professionals from an air duct cleaning company as they have adequate knowledge, training, and tools to detect the problems in the system and take the measures to eliminate the problematic issues.

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Moisture in Air Ducts, How To Fix This Issue