Did you know that the air inside your home could be five times more polluted than outside air? It’s true! Your home is an enclosed environment and can be full of potential sources of air pollution, including particulates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and bioburden.

What is the common denominator of these pollutants living in your home and affecting your family’s air quality? Your air ducts.

Having dirty air ducts could very well be causing those never-ending allergies, and leaving your air ducts dirty creates a source for pollutants, bacteria, illnesses, and health risks for you, your family, and your pets. Clogged air ducts also serve as an ideal location for trapped moisture and mold growth.

If you want to avoid these health risks circulating around your home, it’s required that you do more than just the routine filter change on your home’s AC. Your air ducts should be maintained and cleaned regularly by a professional to prevent major health issues. 

Let’s take a deeper look into these health issues and how dirty air ducts affect your air quality.If you’d prefer portable extractor fans, they help to remove dirty air ducts and improve air quality.

Dust and Debris

Here’s a scary statistic: the average home collects 40 pounds of dust every year! Which means your HVAC system is circulating that 40 pounds of dust throughout your home!

The category of dust can also include pet dander, pollen, and other particles that can be trapped in your air ducts. These trapped particles compromise the air flow in your AC system and contaminate the air inside of your home. Breathing in this air can cause serious allergies and eventually lead to chronic respiratory diseases if continuously inhaled.

For those already suffering from respiratory diseases, contaminated airflow will only irritate the condition. Also, people with autoimmune disorders will experience heightened symptoms if living in a home with dirty air ducts.

Fatigue

Do you often feel fatigued throughout the day? It could be from the air quality in your home! When your indoor air quality is contaminated, it could make you feel discomfort and fatigue. Not only will other health issues be present, but poor air quality can also cause drowsiness.

Sinus Health

If your air ducts are left unattended for long periods of time, your sinuses will be affected. Dirt, debris, and pet dander fills your nasal passages leaving them inflamed, which can turn into a sinus infection. 

Mold and Mildew Growth

One of the most dangerous consequences of a dirty air duct is mold and mildew growth. Dirty air ducts have an imbalance of moisture, which can lead to the growth of mold and mildew. Once mold and mildew spores get into the air, they are blown back out and pollute your home’s air.

If mold spreads throughout the air, it can potentially latch onto other parts of your home – walls, furniture, carpets, bathrooms, the laundry room, and even more. 

Mold particles will irritate your nose, throat, and lungs and worsen conditions such as asthma or chronic lung issues. Mold also has a really bad smell, which you certainly do not want in your home.

What Can I Do to Clean My Air Ducts?

The best time to clean your air ducts – if you haven’t done so recently – is now. To clean your air ducts, you’ll want to hire a professional air duct cleaning company for their expertise, equipment, and attention to detail.