There are so many things that contribute to indoor air pollution, but one of the most overlooked is uncleaned air ducts. You might not realize that when you allow your air ducts and filters to go unchecked, it can lead to dust, debris, pet hair, and other particulate matter clogging up the system. This not only affects your health by making breathing more difficult (due to increased allergens) but also contributes to less efficient heating or cooling in your home.
Keep reading to find out more the importance of duct cleaning and just how much it can affect your indoor air quality.
How Much Do Uncleaned Air Ducts Contribute to Indoor Air Pollution?
The straightforward answer is that uncleaned air ducts do contribute significantly to indoor air pollution.
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) even states that indoor air quality is one of the most common environmental health risks and can be caused by a variety of different factors, including:
- Unclean ducts
- Poor ventilation
- Humidity control issues
- Lack of insulation or sealing in your home.
Given what your home ventilation system does for you, it’s easy to see how important it is for these systems to be maintained. It keeps the air in your house clean and breathable.
Uncleaned Air Ducts Introduce Pollutants from Outside
In addition, uncleaned ducts allow pollutants from the outside into our homes where they can be easily inhaled. This is especially true in the summer months when windows are typically open, and you can’t keep all of your air ducts closed.
Uncleaned Air Ducts are Sources of Contaminants
Material from air ducts can also contribute to the air quality of your home by releasing chemicals, such as formaldehyde. In addition, dust and other contaminants from uncleaned ducts may spread allergens throughout a family or office space.
To maintain healthy indoor air conditions in your house, it is crucial to clean your ducts and filters regularly. This can significantly reduce the number of contaminants that you breathe in as well as help to improve air quality throughout your home or office space.
Other Health Impacts of Uncleaned Air Ducts
It’s vital to understand that leaving your air ducts uncleaned can introduce a wide range of adverse health impacts to your home.
Asthma
If you have Asthma, it’s crucial to know that your indoor air quality matters significantly. Not only can uncleaned air ducts contribute to indoor air pollution, but they also increase the risk of Asthma.
In addition, Asthma can be triggered by allergens or irritants like dust mites, pollen, and mold spores too. When dust or dirt particles are not filtered out of your air system, they can make their way into your lungs, causing inflammation that makes it difficult for you to breathe normally.
Sinus Problems
With uncleaned air ducts, it’s no surprise that your sinuses may become inflamed. If left untreated, sinus issues could lead to more serious respiratory conditions like pneumonia.
Eye Irritations
If your eye has been irritated often, your uncleaned air ducts could be the culprit. Dust particles in the air increase your risk of contracting an eye infection.
Mold and Mildew
Dirty air ducts also contribute to the formation of mold and mildew. Mold spores are common in uncleaned ventilation systems, which can cause allergic reactions like hives or skin rashes and increase your risk for respiratory infections.
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Conclusion
When ducts are left uncleaned, they can have a negative impact on indoor air quality and increase the risk of illness or infection. Remember to clean out your air ducts regularly to reduce the presence of pollutants in your indoor environment. In addition, cleaning your air ducts will also help keep your energy bills low by increasing the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems.
Call us today to get your air ducts cleaned so that you can have clean indoor air again!