Air pollution is a worldwide growing menace. While we cannot filter the outside air, we can control the air we breathe in our homes. Have you had your ducts cleaned recently? Duct cleaning is a process that helps maintain a safe and healthy air quality in your home. If you are cleaning the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning System (HVAC) on a regular basis, you are practicing routine care which is a valuable investment in the long run. Through routine care you are increasing the efficiency of your equipment and preventing your air from becoming contaminated. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems may accumulate various types of contaminants such as bacteria, fungi, and mold etc., which reduces the quality of air in your home or business and adversely affects your health.
Routine duct cleaning improves air quality and reduces the contaminants in your air. The cleaning schedule primarily depends on equipment operation, climate, use of the filtration, the quality of air, costs, and expectations of home occupants. Consider having your air ducts cleaned regularly if these signs are present:
1. Mold and Your Health
Small amounts of mold are not dangerous to you, however, large amounts of mold exposure could make you sick. Removing all of the mold is the best option to prevent any future spreads and to protect your health in the long-run. If you are planning a home renovation be sure to inspect your home for signs of mold. When you opt to hire a professional often they offer a service for duct cleaning and sterilization. The best part of hiring a professional company to remove mold is they are aware of the steps to follow to remove mold straight from the source and take precautions for future care.
2. Prevent Pests From Moving In
You should consider an air duct cleaning service if you spot pests. At times, the heating and cooling system may be invaded by rodents or insects such as roaches, spiders, rats, mice, racoons, etc. During the cold months pests tend to make their way into homes to find shelter and warmth. Time passes by with pests living in our home’s ducts which leads to other home maintenance issues such as when rodents begin to gnaw at the electrical wires or insulation or cause other damages to the foundation of your home. If you notice a musky smell it may be a rodent caught in your ducts. This leads to contamination of the air you breathe and should be addressed immediately. When you schedule routine maintenance and cleaning, you’ll spot pests quicker and take the appropriate measures.
3. Dust, Dirt, and more
Through time ducts become filled with dust particles and other contaminants. A good rule of thumb for homeowners is to clean your ducts every 3 to 5 years. According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association this is the length of time it takes for ducts to backup and become filled with dust, allergens, and moisture. Even though we keep our homes clean, air ducts can still become clogged with contaminants and brew into bacteria and mold that can and do make us sick when we breathe them in for long periods of time.
Additional efforts to keep the air in your home clean are to acquire a professional HVAC company to install an air purifying system. Atlas is proud to offer homeowners options to improve the air quality in their homes. Whether it’s installing an air quality purification system or scheduling your duct cleaning we will inspect and thoroughly clean your ducts to give you peace of mind. Contact Atlas at (956) 758-3669 to schedule an appointment today!