How to Ensure Good Air Quality With Your HVAC System
Heated and cooled air flows through your heating ventilation and air conditioning duct system. This air that you breathe should be good air quality that is clean and free of pollutants. In addition, your HVAC system will work more efficiently and save energy with clean air ducts.
Ductwork can collect pathogens that can cause asthma, sinus conditions and other respiratory problems. Pathogens include:
- Pollen
- Dirt and dust
- Animal dander and feathers
- Mold, mildew and algae
- Insects and rodent droppings
- Smoke and unpleasant odors
These particles can build up over time and affect your good air quality. You are not aware of them until your energy bill increases or the system is just not heating or cooling as well as it did.
Manufacturing and industrial buildings, medical facilities, restaurants and retail buildings must meet various government codes and air quality standards for air conditioning and heating. They are required to have clean ductwork for the safety of employees and customers. Keeping ductwork free of mold and other pathogens is known as mold remediation for commercial buildings.
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Office and large apartment building management is also responsible for keeping HVAC systems clean and operating at maximum efficiency. Most large office buildings have facilities managers familiar with HVAC operations. Homeowners, however, tend to take their heating and cooling systems for granted until something seems wrong.
Signs your ductwork needs cleaning
- Does your heater or air conditioner have a musty smell when you first turn it on?
- Are some rooms harder to heat or cool?
- Do you see puffs of dust spewing out of the vents?
- Is there more dust on surfaces after you turn on the heater blower?
- Are the registers clogged with bits of dog or cat hair?
Particles collect in the system over time no matter how often you clean your house. The blowing heated or cooled air circulates the particles back into your rooms. If you see more dust after turning on the blower or you start sneezing, coughing or experience irritated eyes, you probably have dirty ductwork.
Intake registers and grills should be wiped or vacuumed when you clean your house. This is extremely important if you have pets. You can change your own filters in many systems. HEPA or high-energy particle air filters are the best for catching animal hair and dander. HEPA filters are also available for vacuums.
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You can check the filters and even uncover a duct access to check for grime and dust. You can also check for cracks in the joint work of ducts located in attics or basements. Tears and cracks allow moisture, mold and other particles to move in and grow undetected. In some cases, insects and small rodents can fit in through cracks.
Dust and dirt can get into your motor and cooling coils from the ducts and cause a slowdown. Older systems need to be completely checked for dust and dirt in all parts of the system.
Inspection
Ductwork should be inspected by professionals to help ensure good air quality. An HVAC specialist can give you an air quality assessment based on an inspection of your system. The ducts, motor, blower and coils can be thoroughly cleaned and repaired.
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Clean air ducts allow your system to work more efficiently and extend its life. You keep pollutants out of your home or office reducing exposure to respiratory allergies and illness. Dust won’t spread over furniture and other parts of your rooms. Have your air ducts and complete HVAC system checked before summer and winter to keep it operating efficiently.
For over 20 years, we have been providing high quality workmanship with unparalleled customer service to both residential and commercial customers. Our staff of professionals are dedicated to serving your specific needs from the moment you contact us until the completion of your remediation project. Visit our website or contact us today for more information or to schedule your mold remediation consultation.
