All homeowners have heard at one time or another that they need to clean their residential HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) ducts. But why? There are two primarybenefits to cleaning a house’s HVAC system: the removal of health risks, and energy conservation.
Indoor Air Pollution
Most people wrongly assume that they are more exposed to air pollution while outdoors than when indoors. But (barring disaster conditions outside), indoor air pollution is far more detrimental to health. One of the main reasons for this is that on average, Americans spend at least 80% of their lives indoors. (For many, that number is 90% or more.) So indoor air conditions deserve much more of our concern than the air quality outside.
Indoor Air Contaminants
Dust and biological contaminants naturally build up over time in HVAC ducts. This buildup leads to poor ventilation. As a result, biological contaminants such as mold, pollen, and bacteria are deposited into air ducts. Allergies that are thought to have outdoor sources are often actually caused indoors, by dirty residential HVAC systems. Chemical contaminants, such as carbon monoxide and harmful particulates released into the air from toxic cleaning products, cause indoor air pollution and Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).
Individuals who live and/or work in "sick" buildings often exhibit symptoms of SBS, including much higher incidence of illness than is found in populations who work and/or live in healthy buildings. Symptoms felt immediately upon entering a house with SBS include: fatigue, headache, migraine, asthma, (irritated) red eyes, and sore throat. SBS most often causes allergic reactions such as coughing, sneezing, and wheezing.
Most people who experience symptoms of SBS find that their pain or fatigue is relieved simply by leaving the building. However, there are long-term health damages from SBS that often go undetected, mostly due to lingering neurotoxins (substances harmful to the nervous system) inhaled in "sick" buildings.
Those most at risk for these dangerous effects on their health include: children, pets, asthmatics, the elderly, and unborn babies (via polluted air inhaled by their pregnant mothers). Cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are much worsened by the dust and contaminating particles inhaled from residential HVAC systems.
Adding an immediate risk to everyone living in these buildings are accumulated oils, ash, lint and other flammable materials. And not only are the effects felt almost immediately as short-term consequences of exposure; long-term health problems can also be caused by indoor air pollution.
Short-term health effects:
Indoor Air Contaminants
Dust and biological contaminants naturally build up over time in HVAC ducts. This buildup leads to poor ventilation. As a result, biological contaminants such as mold, pollen, and bacteria are deposited into air ducts. Allergies that are thought to have outdoor sources are often actually caused indoors, by dirty residential HVAC systems. Chemical contaminants, such as carbon monoxide and harmful particulates released into the air from toxic cleaning products, cause indoor air pollution and Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).
Individuals who live and/or work in "sick" buildings often exhibit symptoms of SBS, including much higher incidence of illness than is found in populations who work and/or live in healthy buildings. Symptoms felt immediately upon entering a house with SBS include: fatigue, headache, migraine, asthma, (irritated) red eyes, and sore throat. SBS most often causes allergic reactions such as coughing, sneezing, and wheezing.
Most people who experience symptoms of SBS find that their pain or fatigue is relieved simply by leaving the building. However, there are long-term health damages from SBS that often go undetected, mostly due to lingering neurotoxins (substances harmful to the nervous system) inhaled in "sick" buildings.
Those most at risk for these dangerous effects on their health include: children, pets, asthmatics, the elderly, and unborn babies (via polluted air inhaled by their pregnant mothers). Cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are much worsened by the dust and contaminating particles inhaled from residential HVAC systems.
Adding an immediate risk to everyone living in these buildings are accumulated oils, ash, lint and other flammable materials. And not only are the effects felt almost immediately as short-term consequences of exposure; long-term health problems can also be caused by indoor air pollution.
Short-term health effects:
- irritation of the eyes, nose and throat
- upper respiratory infections
- headache
- nausea
- allergies
Long-term health effects
- respiratory disease
- asthma
- lung cancer
- cardiovascular disease
- nervous system damage
- premature death
Higher energy costs due to dirty residential HVAC
The effects of indoor pollution can be very expensive in terms of work productivity and healthcare costs. But residential HVAC systems also cause needless spending on energy bills. HVAC ducts are simply more expensive to run when dirty. Dirty ducts slow air circulation, making the entire HVAC system work harder.
This waste of energy has been estimated to raise monthly energy bills as much as 20%. Additionally, debris collected in the ducts can cause damage to, and even failure of, a household's HVAC. Repair or replacement costs are very substantial.These monetary savings, added to the health benefits of maintenance and cleaning, make the case clear that HVAC ducts do need to be cleaned.
After learning about the risks and costs of dirty residential HVAC units, many homeowners ask themselves: "When was the last time I had my ducts professionally cleaned?" For health and safety, it is recommended that residential HVAC ducts are cleaned every 3-5 years. Call a professional duct cleaning service today- it will give you instant peace of mind.
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