When your commercial facility’s air handler is contaminated, it could spell trouble for your business. Contaminated air handlers can spread harmful air that is full of bacteria and pollutants across your facility. Plus, when contamination starts to grow in your air handler, it can damage other parts of your entire system.
There are many warning signs that your HVAC system might be contaminated, but the easiest to notice is visible contamination inside of an air handler. This guide is designed to help you understand what visible HVAC contamination looks like in an air handler and what to do if you see it.
Contamination Looks Like Dust And Debris Building On HVAC Coils
One of the most obvious visible signs of air handler contamination is when you see dust and debris on your HVAC coils. When the air handler unit is contaminated with pollutants, it will cause your HVAC coils to become discolored and covered in a visible buildup of dust and other matter. When this happens, it becomes difficult for air to properly move through the system and reduces your system’s efficiency, meaning it has to work harder just for normal performance. When this happens, your system is at a higher risk of breaking down and creating an even bigger headache. If you see dust and debris building up on your HVAC system, it could be a visual cue that your system is contaminated.
Standing Water & Sludge In Drain Pans Are A Visible Indicator of Air Handler Contamination
Another easy way too see contamination in your HVAC system is when there is sludge and standing water sitting in your AHU’s drain pan. These pans are designed to collect condensation from the system, but when you start to notice sludge, growths, or other contamination in that part of your air handler unit, it is a good sign that the entire system might have the same contamination issue. If left unchecked, mold and bacteria can start to grow, turning your facility’s air into a serious health hazard. Learn more about how mold grows in air handler systems.
HVAC Contamination Could Look Like Buildup On Blower Fans
Similar to contamination showing up in your HVAC coils, the same thing can also happen within your air handler’s blower fans. Contamination can appear in the form of thick layers of dust and soot-like substances across your fans and in the area directly around them. When this is not taken care of, it could clog your system, which could lead to either poor airflow across different rooms in your commercial facility or it could cause the system to break down entirely.
Discloration In Insulation Material Can Be What Air Handler Contamination Looks Like
One of the more subtle ways that air handler unit contamination can look is within the air handler’s insulation material. If the insulation appears to be stained or discolored along the lining, it could be a visual warning that your HVAC system is contaminated. While it’s not always the case, if the discoloration looks like water stains or dark spots, it could also mean that your air handler is contaminated with moisture. When moisture is present, it also creates conditions for bacteria and mold to grow. While discolored insulation in an air handler isn’t an automatic sign of mold issues, you still need to inspect and address any contamination in general.
What Should You Do If You See Contamination In Your Air Handler?
If you see any of these examples of what contaminated air handlers look like, you don’t have to panic. The best way to respond is by getting professional air handler restoration service from a certified HVAC company. PROAC is here to help if your large industrial facility is experiencing issues with your air handler. Our philosophy on proactive HVAC maintenance allows us to find and address any potential issues before they turn into a much larger problem down the road. Working with PROAC means investing in your facility to make it work for your business.
PROAC offers air handler restoration, mold remediation, air quality testing, commercial duct cleaning, drain pan restoration, cooling tower refurbishment, and many more preventative HVAC maintenance services. If you want to prevent HVAC system contamination from hurting your business, trust PROAC to get your system back on track. Learn more about our team and our qualifications, or contact us today for a free air handler restoration quote.