Dirty air ducts can lead to “Sick Building Syndrome”, where the air within a building is so polluted with dust, allergens and other particles that it compromises the health of people living and working within.
It requires regular effort but having clean air ducts in an enclosed space is important for the following reasons
Better health
This is a no-brainer. Breathing in clean air helps stay healthy. The more contaminated the air you breathe, the more likely you are to suffer from
Allergies
Excessive mold, pet dander and pet hair within the confines of your home or work space could lead to aggravated allergy attacks. Young children, older people and those with a compromised immune system are very susceptible to air borne contaminants.
Colds
Breathing in contaminated air can compromise the respiratory system and apart from allergy attacks, people can become prone to catching a cold, or getting a sore throat every few weeks.
Lethargy
Poor air quality is one of the main reasons for a sense of lethargy and constant tiredness where one does not want to expend energy by moving around.
Faster aging
Constantly breathing in contaminated air could potentially hasten the breathing process, leading to wrinkly skin.
Fewer colds, lethargy.
Pest control
The enclosed space and controlled temperature of HVAC ducts mean they can be an ideal space for pests, with people having reported infestations of rats, cockroaches, ants and bees. Needless to say, not just the dander, but also particulates from excrement from these pests pose a real health hazard.
Having clean vents prevents the initial invasion of pests, and regular maintenance ensures they do not get a chance to make a home in the ducts.
Clean Interiors
Dirty, dusty ducts can circulate the dust particles, kitchen grime and other domestic contaminants throughout the house. If you’re having to change your air filters more frequently than you used to, or if you’re noticing there is more dust even though the building is well-sealed, it may be time to have your HVAC ducts checked.
Having clean air circulating in your home means contaminants can’t settle onto carpets and upholstery.
Having established the importance of clean air circulating your home, it must be mentioned the US EPA suggests in its IAQ manual that ducts should be cleaned only if
- there is an infestation
- there is visible mold growth on the sheet metal ducts or
- if excessive dust / debris is visible or getting released from the ducts.
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association has a guideline that says HVAC ducts be cleaned only if contamination has crossed certain levels.
Unless you have identified a pest infestation, it is advisable to have your ducts tested for contaminants every couple of years because duct cleaning done incorrectly can create more problems than it will solve.
Like all jobs that require in-depth knowledge and specific skill-sets, HVAC system maintenance is a job for professionals and should not be taken lightly. So, visit our website or come to our store at Service All Stars and see how we help community to lead a healthy life by providing top notch HVAC systems.
