The ductwork in your home might be out of sight—and the interior of it even more so—but you shouldn’t ignore it or forget about it entirely! Just because you can’t see into your ducts doesn’t mean nothing can get into them. In fact, a lot of things get into your ductwork, and those things can cause serious issues for your health and for your home. Here’s what you need to know.
Dust
Even ordinary, everyday amounts of dust in a relatively clean home will add up over a year or more in a place you can’t reach to clean. Things like home repair projects or renovations, work being done on the road near your home, wildfire smoke, or having pets who shed heavily will add significantly to the dust which accumulates in your ductwork. Breathing dust is not great, especially if you have a respiratory condition, but it gets worse.
Allergens
Two of the most common allergens, pollen and pet dander, easily accumulate within your ductwork. Then, when your HVAC system comes on, they get stirred up yet again and irritate your eyes, nose, and respiratory passages. Cleaning your home significantly reduces allergens, and thus reduces allergy symptoms, but you can’t clean inside your ducts. You need air duct cleaning in Virginia, MN.
Mold and Bacteria
Even a small amount of water, in the dark and undisturbed recesses of your ductwork, creates a perfect environment for things to grow. Two of the things most delighted to grow in ducts are mold and bacteria. This causes unpleasant smells such as mildew and sourness as well as health risks. And the HVAC system itself will help spread the mold, blowing spores throughout your home.
Pests
Insects, rodents, and more can invade your home’s ductwork, looking for safe, out-of-the-way places to nest and reproduce. The associated droppings and germs are not something you want to breathe! Any indication of pests in your ductwork is a sign that you need duct cleaning promptly.
Risks to Your HVAC System
Things like moisture, mold, and pests can significantly deteriorate your ducts, leading to problems like cracking and tearing which impede your HVAC system’s ability to conduct heated or cooled air throughout your home. But that’s not the only concern.
An excess of dust of any kind causes serious wear and tear on your heating system and your air conditioner. This isn’t just because particles work their way in and cause friction and damage. It’s also because that dust reduces airflow. Without good air circulation, your AC and your heater have to work much harder, using more energy, driving your bills up, and adding to the strain on those systems. Frequent repairs or early system replacement can result.
Don’t let these things happen to you! Even though you can’t see inside your ducts, you know you need to take care of them. Schedule duct cleaning today and let us help you breathe easier and keep your HVAC system in good condition.
Reach out to Mesaba Heating & Air Conditioning today. Service to you is success to us!