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You rely on your air ducts to deliver warm air in winter and cool air in summer. Since HVAC systems are often used year-round in Mansfield, TX, it’s crucial to keep up with essential maintenance tasks to avoid breakdown. It’s important to keep your air ducts clean by booking a regular air duct cleaning service, as their condition affects the overall air quality inside your home.
People who neglect air duct cleaning duties may see a variety of consequences. More frequent nasal congestion, flare-ups of allergies, lethargy, and other health issues may be seen if an air duct cleaning service doesn’t clear out your home of unwanted pollutants. Keeping your TX home’s air clean and safe can be as simple as booking an air duct cleaning with a professional HVAC company.
Reasons to Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned
- Potentially reduces sneezing and coughing caused by overexposure to air pollutants
- Potentially experience fewer asthma and respiratory symptoms
- Potentially reduced allergy flare-ups
- Reduce build-up of bacteria and mold
- More energy-efficient HVAC
- Reduced energy bill costs
Pollutants in the air can affect people in your household in different ways. You might not experience any side effects, but your partner with asthma may experience more frequent and aggressive flare-ups. Additionally, if you don’t book an air duct cleaning service, you risk uninhibited growth of dangerous bacteria in areas of your home that you can’t reach by yourself. You might also notice infestations of small insects and other unwanted pests in your home’s air ducts, as they may feed on the build-up of debris.
Decreased air quality and cleanliness. Neglecting to clean air ducts through a professional air duct cleaning service has the potential to circulate more dust as it’s disturbed while the HVAC system is in operation. Not cleaning air ducts can decrease the overall air quality and increase the needed frequency of in-home cleaning.
Contaminated air can speed up aging. Multiple studies on the adverse effects of air pollution have proven that even short-term exposure to polluted air can cause premature aging, especially in built-up areas.
The most common cause of respiratory illness symptoms. For more than a decade, it’s been known that improperly maintained ducts are associated with a higher risk of experiencing respiratory symptoms, particularly in elderly and newborn residents. The EPA even suggests that health effects from indoor air pollutants may present years later, not just soon after exposure. Some immediate health effects that you could eliminate through an air duct cleaning service are eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, fatigue, and dizziness. While there’s no exact data on periods of exposure required or the concentrations of pollution that can cause severe or fatal respiratory diseases, the EPA notes there is a risk of long-term effects.
‘Sick building syndrome’ refers to symptoms that you experience when only in a particular building, e.g., San Antonio, TX, home. Not cleaning air ducts risk a build-up of allergens such as pet dander, pollen, and dust. As these build up over time, they increase the potential for residents to experience allergy symptoms and respiratory symptoms. Typically, these side effects get worse while you’re inside and improve once you leave the building.
Air ducts may be the perfect home for rodents. Rodents and insects that find their way into your ductwork can pose serious health risks, as well as be a nuisance. Not only are these pests disease carriers, but rodents will typically chew their way in or get in through unsealed access. An air duct cleaning service can highlight any unsealed or damaged areas that professionals need to repair.
Risk of disabling home ventilation and cooling equipment. A buildup of dirt and debris can eventually clog other aspects of your home ventilation system, leading to a non-functioning HVAC system when you need it most. When your HVAC isn’t functioning, you’re breathing unfiltered air that could be contaminated.
Mold and mildew odors. One telltale symptom of dirty air ducts and mold or mildew in the areas you can’t reach is a musty smell. An air duct cleaning service can help to rid your home of this smell. Even if it’s become unnoticeable to you due to overexposure, visitors to your home may notice it.
Why Mold Is The Biggest Threat
Mold is one of the biggest issues that Mansfield, TX, residents may face with their HVAC system, as it can grow in ductwork and air conditioning units especially. Because of where mold typically likes to grow, it can be difficult to spot and only noticeable once the issue is quite severe. Mold loves the damp and darkness and thrives in lower temperatures. For this reason, ductwork can be the ideal breeding ground if a regular air duct cleaning service doesn’t keep on top of internal maintenance.
There are many different types of mold found in air ducts, and your home could be an unknown breeding ground for any one of them. Some of the most commonly found molds are:
- Acremonium. This mold looks white and powdery and prefers areas with water contact.
- Alternaria. A greenish or brown velvety-textured mold that prefers running water.
- Aspergillus. A varied mold that presents in various colors including green, yellow, and white.
- Chaetomium. A cotton-like mold that first appears brown but can change color over time.
- Fusarium. Typically presents if there has been water damage. Cotton-like texture.
- Mucor. A white or grayish mold that grows rapidly in warmer 25-30C temperatures.
- Stachybotrys. Most common is blackish mold, and relatively toxic.
- Trichoderma. Loves constantly wet and moist areas. Multiplies rapidly and looks spore-like.
- Ulocladium. A layered black mold that’s hard to remove. Quite rare in ductwork.
Long-term exposure to any of the above molds poses a variety of health risks. If you’re worried about whether your air ducts may be home to any of the above molds, and if you’re at risk, call a professional at Minuteman Heating & Air in Mansfield, TX. Book an air duct cleaning service over the phone or submit an inquiry online.