How Do HVAC Ducts Get Dirty?

When you first buy a home or office space, you need to inspect the heating and air conditioning system to look out for any problems that could later lead to constant cleaning demands. It's wise to have the ducts looked over by a professional heating and cooling contractor before purchase. You want to be wary of the following threats to a clean system:

Airborne Materials
An HVAC system circulates air throughout an indoor location. This means the ducts could become full of dust, chemicals, smoke, pollen, dander, pet hair or mold found in a residential or commercial building. Normally, it is the job of an air filter to protect vents and ducts from these particles and keep the HVAC system clean. When the filter is old, cheaply made or not properly installed, contaminants not only get through, they build up in the system.

When the ducts are dirty, the continuous circulation of air in the building consistently adds dust or other materials to vent and duct buildup and redistributes the material back into the air. This is especially troublesome if dirty ducts create an environment that grows mold or attracts vermin.

Moisture Intrusion
Mold needs moisture to grow. When cooling systems aren't properly maintained, installed or repaired, leaks and pools of water can develop. Normally, a cooling coil keeps moisture contaminants out of an air conditioning system. If it's not functioning properly, cleaning may be warranted after repair.

Improperly sized air conditioner units or hastily installed ducts are other causes for concern. You should make sure there are no seams between ducts or vents that would allow water through.

High-Risk Environments
While a proper filter can prevent the need for constant HVAC system cleaning, certain environments will call for regular maintenance regardless of care. According to the EPA, if you have a fuel burning furnace, stove or fireplace, you need to check for problems with vents and ducts to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Smoke build-up in HVAC systems could also create less dangerous - but very annoying - problems likes unpleasant odors.


This post brought you by Duct Masters Orlando from The Real Yellow Pages

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