This may be something you do every day before you leave, and maybe, some days you get back later than others. Maybe, you don’t come back at all that day until after dinner, or when the kids are done their activities. You just provided a prime condition for mold spores and mold growth in your home. During these hot and humid months, Curren recommends the following to keep mold spores and mold growth out of your home:
- Use your central air conditioning with a higher number MERV filter. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Rating Value. The higher the MERV, the better the filter will perform at removing smaller particle sizes. MERV 1 through 4 are designed to remove large particles. MERV 5 through 16 filters remove finer particles. The average particle size efficiency has three ranges: E1 (0.3 to 1 micron), E2 (1 to 3 micron) and E3 (3 to 10 micron) will determine MERV for these products. High MERV filters can help trap the mold spores that are naturally present.
- Lower your indoor humidity. If your humidity is above 50 percent, then fungi will thrive. Try to keep your humidity at 35 percent.
- Open doors within your home so air flow is fluent within the space.
- Use your dehumidifier in your basement and crawl space. Make sure the bucket is being continually emptied, either into a sink or sump pump. The dehumidifier constantly keeps humidity lower in your home.
- Keep your stove exhaust fan running when you cook, this will stop moisture from being added to the indoor air.
- Always use your bathroom fan, this grabs the moisture and brings it (hopefully and not to your attic) to the outside.