Air ducts play a vital role in your home, ensuring air flows appropriately through your heating and cooling systems. Over time, these ducts can accumulate a variety of contaminants that can affect the efficiency of your HVAC system and the quality of the air you breathe. It’s easy to forget about ductwork, but knowing what can build up in your air ducts might help you remember how important it is to work with a reputable air duct company.
Dust and Dirt
The most common contaminants in air ducts are dust and dirt. These particles are constantly floating around in your home, and your HVAC system can pull in and circulate these tiny particles as it runs. Dust builds up in your ducts over time, creating a fine layer of dust on the inside of your ductwork. This makes it more challenging for your HVAC system to function. When it does work, the system constantly blows dust back into your house. A qualified air duct company can help eliminate this layer of dust to help you breathe more easily. In addition, you can have your ductwork sealed to provide lasting improvements.
Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew thrive in damp, dark environments, making your air ducts a perfect breeding ground. Moisture can come from leaks in your ducts, a malfunctioning HVAC system, or high humidity levels in your home. Mold spores are notorious for causing respiratory problems, allergies, and other health issues like migraines. These symptoms are especially apparent in individuals with preexisting conditions like asthma. If you notice a musty smell when your HVAC system kicks on, it’s time to contact an air duct company.
Pollen
Pollen is expected during the spring and summer months. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you know how horrible pollen can be. When your HVAC system draws in air from outside, it can also pull in pollen particles. Then, pollen gets trapped in your ducts and recirculates throughout your home. The constant exposure to pollen can worsen allergy symptoms. An air duct service can help improve indoor air quality by cleaning the ducts to remove pollen. You can go further by having your ductwork sealed to provide lasting improvements.
Pet Hair and Dander
Pets usually create a constant battle against pet hair and dander, a significant allergen for many people. It’s common for pet dander to build up in ductwork because it gets into cold air ducts, which are ducts the HVAC system uses to suck air into the system. An air duct company can help clean your ducts and give tips to prevent this problem, such as a vent cover.
Bacteria and Viruses
Air ducts can also harbor bacteria and viruses, especially if they’re not regularly cleaned and maintained. These microorganisms thrive in the dust and debris that accumulates in your ducts, and when the HVAC system is running, they can be circulated throughout your home. Exposure to bacteria and viruses can lead to various health issues, from mild respiratory infections to more severe illnesses.
Allergens From Outside
Other outdoor allergens besides pollen can find their way into your air ducts. This includes mold spores, dust mites, and other microscopic particles that can trigger allergic reactions. If your home is near a busy road or industrial area, pollutants and particulate matter from outside can also enter your ducts and impact indoor air quality. The most common allergens in your ductwork will be those found immediately outside your house. An air duct service will help you determine if your ducts need to be cleaned to reduce the allergens in the air.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny creatures that thrive in warm, humid environments and feed on dead skin cells. They are common allergens in bedding, upholstery, carpets, and air ducts. Dust mites usually enter air ducts when blown into a vent or wind up in a cold air vent. When dust mites accumulate in your air ducts, they can be blown into your living spaces, exacerbating allergies and asthma symptoms. A thorough cleaning by an air duct company can help eliminate this problem.
According to the Air Quality Life Index, poor air quality is the number one external risk to human health. Poor air quality can cause many symptoms, from coughing and sneezing to poor sleep quality. Investing in an air duct company like AeroSeal Colorado will ensure you have the excellent air quality you need when you get home. Check out the rest of our website for more information.