How Dirty Air Ducts Impact Your HVAC System

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has listed indoor air pollution as the fourth greatest environmental threat to Americans. The indoor pollution occurs when the dust, allergens and other debris accumulate in HVAC system. The result is a reduced quality of air in building’s interior. The common contaminants include dust mites, smoke, mold, allergens, dander and bacteria.

Benefits of Clean Air Conditioning Equipment

There are a number of noted benefits of clean air conditioning equipment as highlighted below:

• Reduce dusting: If the ducts are dusty, the interior will be dusty. The dust can settle on furniture, electronics and the floors, making for a very unpleasant sight
• Improved quality of indoor air: Professional cleaning involves the use of various products and equipment to remove the above-mentioned contaminants
• Increased system efficiency: Scheduled cleaning ensures that the system is in tiptop shape all year round. This saves the homeowner money in the end. This comes in the form of extended equipment life, energy efficiency and reduced repair and replacement costs.

EPA Recommends You Clean The System When:

• There is visible growth of mold in the ducts or other components
• The air ducts are clogged with dust and debris and particles are being released into the interior
• The air ducts are infested with vermin

EPA Impresses on avoiding contamination of the unit on the onset. They provide the following guidelines:

• Change the filters regularly
• Change them more frequently if they are clogged
• Ensure all filters are in place and properly fixed
• During the system maintenance, impress on the service provider on the need to clean cooling coils and clean drain pans. Ensure they use the recommended duct cleaners on the market
• Seal off the supply and return registers when performing construction and renovation works around the house. Do not operate the system until you clean the dust
• Use high efficiency cleaners and filter bags when vacuuming the house
• Operate and maintain the humidifier, if present, as per the manufacturer’s recommendation
• How to Keep the System From Getting Wet

Presence of moisture in the unit encourages biological growth of living organisms. EPA suggests the following moisture controlling steps:

• Repair any leaks and water damage promptly
• The cooling coils are designed to remove water from the unit. Therefore, ensure the unit is in tiptop shape by draining the pan drains. Inspect and maintain the unit regularly
• Ensure that ducts are properly sealed and insulated. This is more so for non-air conditioned spaces such as attics
• Ensure the replacement parts are the proper size and are properly sealed