Quick answer: Some customers managing CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) ask how their home fits in. We’re not medical providers, so health questions about CIRS belong with your doctor. What we can do is help you find and control moisture, humidity and mold in the house, through moisture checks, an HVAC inspection, independent mold testing and, when needed, remediation.
Why do customers with CIRS call an HVAC company?
Because they want to know whether their house has a moisture or mold problem, and what can be done about it. CIRS is a condition some physicians associate with time spent in water-damaged buildings, and the homeowners who ask us about it have usually been working with their doctor already.
That’s a building question, and it’s one we can help answer. We look at your home the same way we would for anyone worried about mold or indoor air quality: a careful check of moisture and the HVAC system, independent mold testing when it’s needed, and a plan to fix what turns up.
Can Gold Eagle give medical advice about CIRS?
No. Gold Eagle Services is an HVAC, indoor air quality and mold remediation company. We don’t diagnose, treat or advise on CIRS or any other health condition, and nothing in this article is medical advice. Please take health questions to your doctor, including whether and how your home environment should be part of your care.
What we can give you is clear, plain-language information about the house – moisture readings, humidity levels, test results and the condition of your HVAC system – that you’re welcome to share with your healthcare team.
What can we check in your home?
- Moisture and humidity: We measure indoor relative humidity and look for hidden moisture around plumbing, windows, walls, the air handler and the other usual trouble spots.
- Mold testing: Under Texas rules, mold assessment is done by an independent, licensed mold assessor, not by the company that does the remediation. We can coordinate with an assessor, who may combine air, surface and dust sampling with a visual inspection. No single test tells the whole story, so we’ll help you understand what the results can and can’t tell you.
- HVAC inspection: We check the coil, drain pan, drain line, air handler cabinet and ductwork, and whether the system is sized and set up to pull humidity out well.
- Remediation: If mold growth is found, the remediation is carried out by a licensed mold remediation contractor under the Texas Mold Assessment and Remediation Rules, overseen by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). We work alongside them as the HVAC contractor, restoring the coil, air handler and ductwork and fixing the moisture source so the problem doesn’t come back.
Why do modern homes need more moisture control?
Because the way houses are built has changed over the last several decades, and the new materials and tighter construction are less forgiving of moisture:
- Paper-faced drywall has largely replaced plaster. The paper facing is organic, and mold can grow on it if it stays damp.
- Particle board and other engineered wood products can soak up moisture and hold onto it.
- Tighter home envelopes, built for energy efficiency, let less air leak in and out. That saves energy, but it also means the moisture from cooking, showers and everyday living has to be managed on purpose, with good ventilation and dehumidification.
Even without an obvious leak or flood, these factors can lead to higher indoor mold levels in homes that aren’t actively managing moisture.
Why does humidity matter so much in Central Texas?
Because Austin summers are long and humid, and a lot of that moisture ends up trying to get into the house. Most local homes sit on a slab with the ductwork and air handler up in the attic, which brings its own list of problems: ducts that sweat in a hot attic, drain lines that clog, and oversized air conditioners that short-cycle, cooling the house without running long enough to pull out much humidity. The thermostat says 74 and the air still feels clammy.
A few habits go a long way:
- Keep indoor relative humidity below 60%, and ideally in the 40-50% range, especially during the humid months.
- Fix leaks quickly and dry wet materials within a day or two.
- Run bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans that vent to the outdoors, not into the attic.
- Keep the AC drain line clear and have the system checked every year.
- Ask about a whole-home dehumidifier if your AC alone can’t keep humidity in check.
The bottom line
If you’re managing CIRS and your doctor has suggested a closer look at your home, we can handle the building side: finding moisture, coordinating independent mold testing, checking your HVAC system and fixing the problems we find. Your doctor handles the health side. Between the two, you get a clearer picture – and a drier, better-maintained house.
Related guides: Lyme Disease, Mold and Your Home: Questions Our Customers Ask, Mold Testing: What Each Method Can and Can’t Tell You and How Indoor Moisture Affects Your Home’s Air.
About Gold Eagle Services: This guide comes from the team at Gold Eagle Services, a family-run Austin HVAC, indoor air quality and mold remediation company founded in 2017. We’re licensed (TACLA119235 and RCO1783), insured and bonded, and we serve homes across the greater Austin area.
Need help with this in your home? Learn about our HVAC mold treatment and remediation, or call 512-489-4653 to schedule a visit.
