While a heating and air conditioning system is necessary for those living in areas that experience extreme temperatures, the cleanliness of this system is equally important in maintaining a safe, healthy environment. Otherwise, the unit will need help cooling your home or even pump contaminated air. One of the critical maintenance activities for your heating and air conditioning system is to give it a duct cleaning service. Sometimes, this should be followed by disinfection or sanitization of the ducts. This is especially required when you notice mold and dust mites thriving in your unit.
Differences Between Ductwork Cleaning and Duct Sanitizing
Duct cleaning is an air conditioning maintenance activity intended to remove any dust, dirt, debris, or other contaminants blocking the ducts and air vents. This eliminates things like mold and pollen, improving indoor air quality. A detailed duct cleaning service ensures the HVAC system performs efficiently, reducing energy use. On the other hand, sanitizing kills some microorganisms in your air ducts, such as fungi and bacteria.
Similarities Between Duct Cleaning and Sanitizing
Both air duct cleaning and sanitizing or disinfecting are methods framed for clearing your heating and air conditioning system’s air ducts of any particles and microorganisms that might affect the air quality and efficiency. During the duct cleaning service, the professional uses various methods such as vacuum cleaning, pressure tubes, and scrubbing. Air duct disinfection or sanitization is achieved through similar processes, albeit additional treatments are used for microbial treatments. They remove germs, bacteria, and fungi that could impact indoor air quality.
Importance of Air Duct Disinfection
The air ducts at your home get contaminated by different agents you aren’t even aware of. Since the ducts are a critical part of your HVAC system, they also require maintenance and should only go along with a duct cleaning service. Regarding sanitation and cleanliness, the air ducts are tricky and critical. Many complications arise if the air ducts are not working properly because of leaks or clogs. Not only are damaged and dirty air ducts unsanitary, but they can also be hazardous and result in a fire in a heating and air conditioning system if not immediately addressed. Below are the main reasons to disinfect your air ducts:
Better Air Quality
Soiled and grimy air ducts can negatively affect your home’s indoor air quality. When bacteria and fungi contaminate the air ducts, the air flowing within is adulterated. The spores from the fungi are later distributed into your home, flaring up allergic and asthma symptoms. Hence, you should give your unit a duct cleaning service and sanitization to avoid this problem.
Stops Bacterial and Fungal Growth
Poorly maintained air ducts will undoubtedly grow mold and bacteria. For instance, mold thrives in moist, dark areas. If the heating and air conditioning system’s air ducts are dirty and dusty, mold and other bacteria might start breeding and thriving, forming colonies in your air ducts. The air conditioner will blow these mold and bacterial colonies into your home, resulting in poor indoor air quality.
Improved Efficiency
Regardless of the type of air duct installed at your home, their efficiency will be affected when clogged by debris and dirt. This also impacts the efficiency of the entire air conditioning system, meaning that it will use more energy to push conditioned air past the clog. To avert this, it is recommended that you ensure a technician gives your unit a duct cleaning service. If there were any molds and dust mites, the cleaning should be followed by disinfection.
Prevents Odors
Is the indoor air at your home smelly? That is because you still need to sanitize the air ducts. Whenever the bacteria accumulate in the internal walls of the air ducts, it starts to grow there. Within a few days, it starts reeking and throws that pungent smell. If you notice this, contact a duct cleaning professional for reliable cleaning and disinfection.
Protection from Diseases
Did you know there is a nexus between regular duct cleaning services and reduced respiratory infections? One of the main causes of respiratory infections is contaminated indoor air. If the air is polluted by bacteria, mold spores, dust particles, and more, the chances of you or a family member contracting diseases such as bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema increase significantly. Hence, you should always ensure that the ducts are clean and sanitized to protect you and your loved ones from these life-threatening infections.
Keeps Vermin Away
Another reason to sanitize your air ducts is that filthy, unsanitary ducts can attract pests like mice, insects, rats, snakes, and more. You don’t want them snooping around your house. To avoid the extra inconvenience of hiring an exterminator, the best choice would be to ensure a professional sanitizes the ducts as soon as possible.
How Are Air Ducts Disinfected and Sanitized?
Most duct cleaning service providers use sporicidal fogging to sanitize and disinfect the air ducts. This sanitizer becomes aerosolized into minute droplets covering all the air duct surfaces. To disinfect and sanitize the ductwork, the technician uses an EPA-approved antiseptic and antimicrobial solution, in most cases, sporicidin. This is a low-toxic, scent-free solution and is preferably used in clinics and medical centers.
How Regularly Should the Ducts Be Disinfected and Sanitized
It is recommended that you have a duct cleaning service after every two years. However, mold and other bacteria might start thriving and reproducing in the air ducts long before then. This is where sanitization and disinfection of the air ducts come in. Air duct disinfection services might last for about six months. However, this period isn’t cast in stone. You can vary upwards or downwards depending on the interior condition of your air ducts. Hence, inspecting the ductwork during the air conditioning service is critical, even if it doesn’t necessarily mean that cleaning will follow this.
Do you need a duct cleaning or disinfection service? Don’t hesitate to contact us at Minuteman Heating & Air for a reliable, professional service.
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