How Does Debris Get Into Your Air Ducts?
How Does Debris Get Into Your Air Ducts?
Every time you turn on your HVAC system, many allergens in the air and contaminants such as, dirt, debris, rodent droppings, dander, dead insects and other grime get sucked in and end up in the air ducts. Over time, can result in up to three inches of filth.
These same contaminants continue to recirculate over and over again. This constant cycle of dust and allergens accumulation and redistribution can have serious effects on your indoor air quality.
How to Prevent Dirt from
Re-entering
the System
How to Prevent Dirt from Re-entering the System
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Use the highest efficiency air filter recommended by the manufacturer of your heating and cooling system.
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Change filters regularly.
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If your filters become clogged, change them more frequently.
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Be sure you do not have any missing filters and that air cannot bypass filters through gaps around the filter holder.
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When having your heating and cooling system maintained or checked for other reasons, be sure to ask the service provider to clean cooling coils and drain pans.
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During construction or renovation work that produces dust in your home, seal off supply and return registers and do not operate the heating and cooling system until after cleaning up the dust.
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Remove dust and vacuum your home/office regularly. (Use a high efficiency vacuum (HEPA) cleaner or the highest efficiency filter bags your vacuum cleaner can take. Vacuuming can increase the amount of dust in the air during and after vacuuming as well as in your ducts).
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If your heating system includes in-duct humidification equipment, be sure to operate and maintain the humidifier strictly as recommended by the manufacturer.
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Controlling moisture is the most effective way to prevent biological growth in air ducts. Moisture should not be present in ducts.