Your home should be a place where you can feel safe and find peace. But bear in mind that without proper HVAC maintenance, the place you are living in can make you sick.

When did you last clean your air ducts? It will not be of much surprise to hear it was way back. Lack of maintenance can put you at a risk for developing illness by inhaling indoor air contaminated with a plethora of harmful airborne contaminants.

Indoor air quality is directly linked to the health of the residents. But what causes dirty air to circulate in your home? The answer to this question is very simple. When all other things in your home are in check, dirty air ducts can most likely cause dirty air. In such a scenario, air ducts need to inspected and cleaned whenever required.

Air duct cleaning is cumbersome and is something that most homeowners do not take care of. It is, in fact, due to the unchecked and uncleaned ducts that your utility bills begin to climb and several unexplained health and fitness issues surface gradually.

If you’re experiencing unexpected health problems with the symptoms similar to allergies, most likely your air ducts are soiled and unhygienic. This may be due to the presence of molds, dirt, and other pollutants lurking in your air ducts.

Just imagine your air ducts as the lungs of your homes that are supposed to take in the surrounding air and circulate it back which is then inhaled by our lungs. Now, this makes more sense if your air ducts are throwing off polluted air, you and your family members can fall a victim to the nasty air

We’re here to let you know how dirty air ducts can make you sick, and present you with the best possible solutions to poor indoor air quality.

Just stay tuned!

Can Dirty Air Ducts Make You Sick?

Not getting your air ducts cleaned can have negative effects on your health status. Yes, dirty air ducts can get you and your family members sick as they can:

Cause allergy-like symptoms

Moisture accumulation in air ducts promotes the proliferation of mold and mildews. Their presence can be detected by passing a sniff test- they give off musty odors and also affect the quality of indoor air with the dispersion of their spores all around.

If you suffer from any of the following symptoms, it could be a sign that your air ducts are dirty:

1. Coughing, sneezing, wheezing
2. Sore throat
3. Congested or watery nose
4. Headaches
5. Low-grade fever
6. Rashes or hives
7. Lethargy
8. Difficulty breathing
9. Asthma or allergy attacks seem to aggravate when in-home, not elsewhere
10. Severe respiratory infection
11. Inflamed sinuses

Thus, air ducts can make you sick by blowing allergens such as dust, mold, pollen, etc. into the air which when inhaled initiate or worsen a body’s reaction.

Cause ‘Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)’

It is such a medical condition where people in a home or building feel unwell for no apparent reason. It can be said that dust, pollen, pet dander, and others that tend to coat the air ducts cause SBS when the air conditioner or furnace is turned on. The person may feel dizziness, nausea, lethargy, and some respiratory disease symptoms.

Spread the disease

Air ducts that are inhabited by rodents and insects pose a serious health threat. This is because when the ducts become dirty, these critters increase in number and often they carry disease. If you get bitten by these insects or rodents, you may develop a disease.

Hamper the functioning of the HVAC system

Dirt and debris form a fine film on your HVAC ducts which in turn impede the optimal functioning of the indoor air system. When the system fails to filter or purify the air, the inhalation of contaminated air will increase your chances of developing any medical condition.

What Preventive Measures You Can Take To Improve Indoor Air Quality?

Thankfully, you do not have to bear with the symptoms of polluted air ducts for long. You can make your home a safe space and enjoy breathing fresh air just by doing several things.

1. Get your air ducts annually cleaned by a professional team
2. Replace your air registers and filters as per manufacturer’s instructions
3. Avoid carpeted floors so that dust and dirt do not rise to get into the duct-works
4. Reduce humidity using exhaust fans and dehumidifiers to prevent mold growth
5. Vacuum your area regularly to reduce dirt and dust mites

The Takeaway:

If it has been more than a year since you’ve checked and cleaned your ducts, your HVAC system might not be operating at peak efficiency, then it’s high time to contact a professional and get the ducts inspected and cleaned. Due to poor indoor quality, filthy air ducts contribute to health issues largely. HVAC yearly upkeep should always be your priority if you wish to save your life from the menacing effects of unclean air ducts. The higher the efficiency of your HVAC, the lower will be the energy consumption and costs in the longer run. Call Dry Effect for your pricing on having your ducts cleaned.

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