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It’s important for homeowners to know what to expect in their air
ducts as well as their crawlspaces. Improving the condition of the
home's crawlspace without addressing the duct work is self-defeating.
The most common thing populating air ducts is common household dust.
What’s more, this is normal and expected.
As fall begins to give way to winter lots of
homeowners are scrambling to get their homes ready for colder weather.
HVAC units have been checked and serviced, vents and registers have been
dusted and opened, and homes are generally buttoned up against the
harshest of seasons. Even with all this preparation few homeowners give a
second thought to what could be the most important part of their
heating and air-conditioning system, the ducts.
Without ductwork all that hot or cold air is
useless. The ducts bring that warm air from your HVAC system to your
chilly feet on winter nights, and supply that cooling breeze during the
summer. Still few homeowners check ductwork at all, and when they do
they often panic at what they find.
A hidden benefit of a properly operating HVAC
system is that it filters the air and removes much of the dust and
allergens from a household. Invariably not all that dust is caught by
even the best HEPA filters and ends up in the ducts. Dust in ducts will
cling to edges first, but will eventually settle onto most other duct
surfaces. It is normal to see a small accumulation of grayish colored
dust inside ductwork. Dust accumulation isn’t a problem unless it’s
obstructing vents or has built up to the point where it is hanging in
strings inside the duct. If this much dust is present it could signal a
problem with your ducts or system and a professional HVAC contractor
should be contacted.
Some homeowners are shocked to find evidence of
rodents or insects inside ductwork, but again this is common. Mice,
rats, and other rodents, as well as spiders and insects will find their
way into ducts because they make ideal habitats, especially during cold
weather months. A few bugs or mice is to be expected, but large colonies
of insects, spiders, or rodents is a sign of a problem. This usually
means that ductwork integrity has been compromised and a hole or gap is
present. These gaps and holes not only let creepy-crawlies into the
system, but it lets cold or warm air out of the system, potentially
costing you money in the process. Again, this is sign that a
professional should be consulted.
The worst thing to found in ducts is the presence
of mold and/or mildew. Moisture in the system can cause mold and mildew
to grow, and signals a major problem with your system. A properly
operating system controls the level of moisture in your home’s air. If
mold is present it means something isn’t operating as it should. This is
not only a problem for your HVAC system, but could be a health threat
to you and your family. Individuals suffering from allergies will notice
an increase in symptoms when mold and mildew is present in ductwork,
and some studies suggest that colds and flu can be caused and/or
worsened by mold in the home. Find a professional who does mold
remediation.
Not only should an HVAC professional be consulted
if you have mold in your system, it’s important that your contractor can
test the mold to see if it is a potentially dangerous variety. Also
removing mold can be tricky business and a HVAC professional with
experience in mold removal should be consulted.
Your HVAC system can keep your home warm and toasty
this winter, and if it’s working properly it can also help keep you
healthy and feeling well. Take the time to see what’s hiding in your
ducts, and if necessary consult a professional to get your system
working at peak efficiency. A little prevention now could prevent a
major expense down the road, and give you peace of mind throughout the
winter months.
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