The indoor air quality of your home will play a significant role in your health and comfort. It's up to you to take control of your indoor conditions to avoid substantial health concerns. Air pollutants and temperature will significantly affect the indoor conditions that partly determine your well-being.
We have discussed with Jason, the author and owner (of the local HVAC business) of this article https://www.aaaac.us/air-duct-cleaning-corpus-christi/
He recommended some important things; here are some of the contaminants that may be present in your space include;
- Carbon dioxide
- Cigarette smoke
- Dust
- Body odor from room occupants
- Smoke from outside
- Pet fur
- Aerosols and sprays
You may not know the extent of air contamination until you start experiencing some mild symptoms. Symptoms of indoor air contamination include;
- Headaches or migraines
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Sinus congestion
- Dry mouth and eyes
- Allergies
- Sneezing
There are many culprits behind the poor indoor air quality that will call for various corrective measures. It would be best if you start by checking whether your AC is functioning properly. The AC may be fully functional, but there may be a problem with its components.
Check your AC filters and ensure they are working well and free from dust. Also, make sure to check your air ducts and clean them regularly. Clogged air ducts may be among the many reasons why you are not receiving a supply of fresh air.
As soon as you start experiencing indoor air contamination symptoms, it might be time to have your AC cleaned. You don't have to wait for the AC professionals as you can get started on your air ducts. Here are some good reasons to clean your air ducts.
Ease up on allergies
Someone in the household or yourself may have allergic reactions to various agents. Cleaning your air ducts regularly allows you to get rid of pollen and other contaminants that may trigger allergies.
Control Mold
Mold may find its way through your air vents and AC ducts. Mold growth in your ducts may cause severe air pollution and affect your health. Cleaning your ducts allows you to detect mold growth and prevent further pollution.
Presence of Pets
Your furry friend will significantly contribute to indoor air contamination. The fur from pets may build up on furniture and carpets. The air ducts are no different, and fur buildup may cause severe problems with your AC. Having pets around should be enough reason to check and clean your air ducts regularly.
Save Money
Professional duct cleaning and sanitation services may be pricey, especially in cases of extreme dirtiness. Thus, cleaning your ducts frequently not only promotes air quality but also cuts down the cost of hiring professionals.
It also saves you the considerable cost of AC repairs, as clogged ducts may cause mechanical problems. If you have not cleaned your ducts for an extended period, it would be wise to take action before it results in serious issues.
Cleaning your air ducts regularly is not an easy task. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Assess the Ducts
Take a look at your ducts and determine the configuration. Air ducts come in different sizes and modifications. The installation method also determines the cleaning process and whether to call a professional. The ducts may run overhead, on the floor, or the walls.
Determine the installation configuration of your ducts to know where to begin. You can also know the right equipment to use for the cleaning process.
Cover the Vents
The air conditioner supplies air to your rooms through vents installed in specific areas. When cleaning your ducts, make sure to cover the vents to avoid dust and other contaminants from spreading in the room.
Organize the Cleaning Supplies
It is imperative to gather all your cleaning equipment before you start cleaning the air ducts. Have everything you need to avoid leaving the vents exposed in between the cleaning session. The more you leave the vents and ducts exposed, the more pollutants accumulate in the ducts.
Check AC Filters
Cleaning your air ducts is not enough. That said, you also need to check your filters and ensure they aren't clogged. This way, you can avoid all the pollutants in the filters from being deposited in the air ducts after cleaning.
Keep the Fan Running
Once you have disassembled the ducts from the central system, don't switch off the fan. Running the fan ensures that all the remaining contaminants are blown out of the system. This way, you can avoid the pollutants from building up in the ducts after reassembling. Thus, you can have a grace period before cleaning your ducts again.
Duct Material
It is imperative to learn what your ducts are made of before you can clean. This way, you can know what cleaning materials to use on the ducts and avoid inflicting damage. For example, fiberglass should not be cleaned using a wet sponge as it may cause damage. Cleaning metallic ducts with wet sponges also favor mold growth.
Thus, take time to know what your ducts are made of and research on the best cleaning materials to use. Be careful about the cleaning equipment used in cleaning as they may inflict damage and add unnecessary repair costs.
Chemicals
There are various chemicals that you can use for duct cleaning. These chemicals include sanitizers, disinfectants, and deodorizers. Research on the best chemicals to use and get rid of the odors. Gather the chemicals needed and find the best option to get rid of mold growth and other odors.
Break Contaminants
When duct cleaning, look or the sources of contamination. This means that you should use equipment to break the contaminants from the duct surface. These devices may include brushes, vacuum cleaners, or air whips. Break contaminants in the ducts and within the air conditioning system.
Call a Professional
Last but not least, you can find the right professionals to check the quality f your work. The professionals may also provide additional tips to clean your ducts. They will determine if you've done it right and followed the proper cleaning and treatment procedures. The AC expert will also give you extra info on how to keep your ducts clean.
You can also learn new ways to clean your ducts and come up with a cleaning schedule.
