Clean Air Ducts
People want to know the facts about Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and the importance of improving the quality of the air we breathe
The facts below should help you understand how clean air ducts improving IAQ. Clean air ducts help to significantly reduce the source of contaminants and various pollutants which may trigger reactions in your health.
Heating and air conditioning ducts are dark, damp and rich in "nutrients" which in turn makes for a breeding ground for mold, fungi and dust mites. These allergens can spread rapidly since the ducts are used to spread air around the house. You can also prevent these allergens from spreading by improving your ventilation and changing your filters regularly. Mold and fungi can cause disease, infections and most commonly trigger allergic reactions.
Clean ducts alone won't solve the problems of asthma and allergies in your home of course, but it does play a significant role in the prevention of these things. By keeping your ducts clean your HVAC system you will remove allergens like dust and mold from the duct work as well as residue from cigarette smoke. It is also a good idea to make sure you change your furnace filter often.
INDOOR AIR QUALITY FACTS
Indoor air pollution is ranked among the top 5 environmental dangers to the public. (EPA)
Studies have shown that two out of three indoor air quality problems involve the HVAC/Duct System.
Children and the elderly are especially affected by polluted indoor air. (Department of Consumer Affairs)
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in indoor air can be 2 to 5 times greater than in outdoor air. (EPA)
20% of all illnesses are either caused by, or aggravated by, polluted indoor air. (American College of Allergists)
The levels of some hazardous pollutants in indoor air has been found to be up to 70 times greater than in outdoor air. (USEPA)
HEATING AND COOLING FACTS
Airflow problems can reduce your system's efficiency by up to 15 percent. (energystar.gov)
A buildup of .042 inches of dirt on a heating or cooling coil can result in a decrease in efficiency of 21%. (EPA)
Most commercially available fiberglass furnace filters are less than 7% efficient. (ASHRAE)
Dirty coils reduce the system's ability to cool your home and cause the system to run longer, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment. (energystar.gov)
Too much or too little refrigerant will make your system less efficient increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment. (energystar.gov)
9 out of 10 system failures are caused by dirt and dust.
