Do you know what’s inside your air ducts? A lot can collect in your home’s HVAC system due to nearly continuous use during all seasons. Even the best air filters can’t keep everything out of your duct work. Unfortunately, stuff in your ducts can seep into your home every time your furnace or air conditioning comes on.
What’s Living in Them?
Dust and Debris
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Dust inevitably filters into your home, and left untouched, it will cover just about everything. While you can easily dust off the furniture and objects throughout your home, it’s not so easy getting into your air ducts.
Over time, piles of dust and miscellaneous debris can grow in your ducts. As air filters through them and out the vents, it can bring this extra dust with it, dirtying your air and making your home extra dusty.
Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew are two types of fungi that can find their way into many places of your home. Left untreated, they’ll spread, damaging your home and posing potential health risks.
These fungi thrive in moist, dark environments, making an air-duct the perfect place for them. The only to know it’s there is to have your ducts inspected and cleaned.
Animals
Just like mold, most creatures that enter your home like to hide where it’s cool and dark. That makes your air ducts a great home for them. The most common living things found in air ducts would be mice or spiders, but sometimes bats, birds, and even snakes have been found there.
Of course, they’re not always living. Sometimes, animals can get trapped in there and die.
Either way, it’s the last thing you should want in your air ducts.
Allergens
Regardless of how good your air filter is, allergens will make their way inside them If you have pets inside, their dander will collect in them and around your vents. But it isn’t just inside allergens you have to worry about, pollen from outside can make its way indoors through windows, open doors, and even on your clothing.
Getting Your Air Ducts Cleaned
Cleaning out your air ducts isn’t easy, but it’s important. That’s why it’s best left to a professional!