Thursday 26 March 2015

Can your HVAC system decrease your home air quality?

Dirt, dust and debris have a tendency to get accumulated within the air ducts of your HVAC if you do not clean them regularly. They become breeding grounds of dangerous fungi and bacteria that may cause problems such as allergies, asthma, and respiratory problems.

So, to ensure respectable indoor air quality, you must clean the air ducts regularly and thoroughly.


When is the right time to clean the HVAC system?

Whether you perform the cleaning yourself or take the help of a professional, you should know when your air conditioning system needs cleaning. Here are a few signs that indicate towards an unclean HVAC machine:

1.Noticeable mold growth within the ducts

Mold is essentially a fungal growth that gradually spreads within the hard surface of the HVAC system. By cleaning regularly, you can remove the growth of molds. But, if the molds get accumulated over a period of time, your HVAC will require professional cleaning. 

2.Ducts congested with debris and dust

When the ducts in the HVAC system are blocked with debris and dust, you are likely to inhale unhealthy air that may lead to health issues. Moreover, your system will also become less efficient in terms of performance.

Although you can clean the small debris on your own, for tougher molds, debris or clogs, you will need professional help, as HVAC cleaning companies use EPA approved sanitizers to apply on the problem areas.

How to choose a HVAC cleaning company?

After inspecting the condition of the system, if you decide to hire a professional, you must speak to at least three cleaning companies. Verify if they have proper accreditation and licenses. By doing this, you can rest assured that you have selected a knowledgeable, responsible and reliable service provider who knows how to do his job well.

Another way to short list a good service provider is to ask for recommendations from friends and family. You can even call your neighbor to find out which company does the best job within your area.

Precautions you can take to minimize contamination of ducts

Oftentimes air ducts within the HVAC system collect significant amounts of dust, debris and dirt particles that end up contaminating the air. Hence, it is important to minimize contamination by stopping dirt from entering the system. For this, you need to ensure the following:

1.Make use of efficient air filters and make sure you change them on a regular basis
2.In case of damage or leakage, get it corrected
3.Make sure there is no moisture present in the system
4.Clean the drain pans and cooling coils by a professional cleaning service
5.Make sure there are no missing filters
6.In case any renovation or construction work is being carried out, seal the air ducts, so that debris and dust don’t enter the machine

Most AC contractors advise on having your heating/cooling system checked twice a year. The whole system should be flushed out of unwanted stuff that gets accumulated. Ductwork also should be cleaned thoroughly. Such cleaning is recommended to ensure that the HVAC systems are operating at optimal levels so that the desired air quality in your house is maintained.