Air Duct Cleaning Near Me for Clean Indoor Air Quality

In the realm of home upkeep, air ducts tend to receive little attention. Most folks wouldn't even know how to go about maintaining them, let alone considering air duct cleaning near my service since they are essentially invisible. What a lot of people don't realize is that if your air ducts are dirty, residential air quality is toast—which can lead to a bevy of seemingly unrelated health issues.

Here, we take a closer look at the poor indoor air quality effects of dirty air ducts, backing them up with some data. After reading this, you will be convinced to consider air duct cleaning near me services.

How Bad Indoor Air Quality Affects Your Health

A steady flow of fresh outdoor air is essential to maintain good indoor air quality. People living in modern, tightly sealed homes with energy-efficient windows might not receive a regular supply of outside air. The air we breathe is much more heavily contaminated than the air outside—an average of two to five times, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The main culprits are household duct cleaning Toronto products, paints and other materials used in home construction and renovation, and appliances, many of which are powered by natural gas.

1. Health Effects

Breathing problems. One of the most immediate and obvious health effects of unclean air ducts is the increased risk of respiratory health problems. Dust, pet dander, mold spores, and other air contaminants can worsen conditions like asthma, allergies, and bronchitis.

A study reported in the Journal of Environmental Health found that homes with dirty air ducts had a 25% higher rate of respiratory health complaints compared to homes with clean ducts.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has noted that children are especially vulnerable to the kinds of particulate matter that accumulate in air ducts, with some studies estimating that exposure to indoor dust can increase the likelihood of developing asthma by as much as 40%.

2. Asthma And Allergies Symptoms

For people with allergies or asthma, unclean air ducts can be a source of aggravation. Dander, dust, and other common allergens can accumulate in air ducts and cause allergic episodes when the system is in use.

A survey conducted by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reported that 60% of individuals who suffer from allergies notice an uptick in their symptoms when they're exposed to poor indoor air quality, which is often a result of having air ducts that need air duct cleaning near me services. Mold is another major concern.

Not only can mold be an allergen in and of itself, but the spores can also trigger episodes in asthmatics and others who are sensitive to mold. Mold can (and often does) grow in the damp, humid, dark environment that air ducts often provide, and when the HVAC system is running, it can send mold spores into the air.

3. VOCs And Chemical Contaminants

Air ducts can also be contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in addition to biological pollutants like dust and mold. VOCs are chemicals that are emitted from various household products, including paints, duct cleaning Toronto supplies, and building materials. The EPA has found that the concentration of VOCs is often ten times higher indoors than outdoors.

This means that if the air ducts in your home are dirty, not only are they recirculating dust, molds, and a host of other nasty biological pollutants, but they're also spreading around very toxic chemicals that could be causing you (and your family) all sorts of health problems. Prolonged exposure to VOCs has been linked to nausea, headaches, and even more severe health issues like damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.

4. How Is HVAC System Affected by Dirty Ducts?

a. Reduces Airflow

Your ductwork is like a circulatory system; it has to move air in and out for you to be comfortable. Air has to move freely, and it has to move without obstruction to be efficient. Dust and debris are obstructionists. And that's straight-up science. You could be using an air filtration system that gets a 99% collection rate (which is, by the way, excellent).

That still leaves nearly 1% that isn't being captured—and some of that, particularly the larger particles, is going to find its way into your ducts, especially if your ductwork is in the attic, a basement, or another space where it is susceptible to blowing dust.

b. Heightened Strain and Stress

An HVAC system's air blower, motor, and heat exchanger are just three fundamental parts that can take excessive wear and tear thanks to dirty air ducts. When the air can't flow freely through the ducts because they are full of dirt and debris, the blower and motor must work harder to move the same volume of air that would otherwise flow effortlessly through clean ducts. If they work too hard for too long, they can overheat and fail.