What's Hiding in Your Home's Air?
What's Hiding in Your Home's Air?
Details
If you experience discomfort from seasonal allergies, you likely want to reduce the irritants in your environment. A major source of aggravating pollutants is an HVAC system with dirty air ducts. Here's how the system may be working against you and what to do about it.
Common Pollutants
Mold & Mildew
A musty odor when your heating and cooling system runs often means the air ducts contain mildew and mold. Ducts, especially those in an attic or basement, hold excess moisture that comes from higher-than-normal humidity. The ducts need cleaning to keep your indoor air fresh and reduce the chance of circulating allergy-causing spores throughout your home.
Dust & Dander
Dust often coats the inside of air ducts, and it can escape the vents when you run the AC, circulating throughout your home. Having indoor pets can also diminish the indoor air quality, as their dander will lift from their coat, float into the system, and clog the filter. To compensate for a full screen, your air conditioner will use more electricity and overwork itself to chill the room.
Bacteria & Germs
These substances thrive in dirty air ducts. If you experience sneezing, a runny nose, an itchy throat, or trouble breathing, the HVAC system may be the source of irritation. Clean the ducts annually to eliminate these sources of viral and bacterial respiratory infections.
How to Improve Your Home's Air Quality
Have the HVAC ducts and filter professionally cleaned to eliminate any buildup that can potentially circulate through the living spaces. You can also replace the system with a ductless split model to remove the risk of dirty ducts altogether. To provide clean air, these systems rely on high-quality filters that remove irritants and contaminants.
