Many people wonder if having their heating and air conditioning ducts professionally cleaned can help limit the spread of airborne illnesses within their home. While duct cleaning alone cannot eliminate all risk of infection, it can indeed minimize the transmission of viruses and bacteria through a home’s HVAC system. Let’s examine how duct cleaning may help reduce the spread of airborne illnesses.
Removing Contamination
First and foremost, duct cleaning removes the dust, dirt and debris that has accumulated in your HVAC system over time. This buildup acts as a breeding ground for harmful microbes, mold, and allergens.
Professional duct cleaners use powerful vacuum systems and brushes to dislodge and capture contaminants from all duct surfaces. They also deploy sanitizing agents that kill bacteria and viruses adhering to ductwork walls.
By removing this reservoir of microbes within the ducts, duct cleaning minimizes the number of harmful particles recirculated through your home’s ventilation system. This reduces the potential transmission of airborne illnesses among household members.
Improving Air Filtration
Additionally, a thorough duct cleaning improves the efficiency of your HVAC system’s air filters.
Over time, contaminants trapped in ducts work their way into air filters, reducing the filters’ ability to capture tiny particles. Duct cleaning restores the filters to like-new condition, allowing them to more effectively trap microbes passed through the vents.
This enhanced air filtration further limits the circulation of viruses, bacteria and mold spores responsible for common colds, flu and other infections. Clean air filters can capture up to 90% of particles larger than 0.3 microns, where many illness-causing microbes reside.
In summary, while duct cleaning alone cannot completely eliminate the spread of airborne illnesses, it does minimize the transmission of viruses and bacteria through a home’s HVAC system in several key ways. By removing contaminant buildup that harbors microbes and improving the efficiency of air filters, duct cleaning creates a healthier environment less conducive to the spread of infection. Coupled with proper hand washing and surface disinfection, duct cleaning as part of your preventative home maintenance plan can further reduce your risk of catching colds, flu and other airborne illnesses.