June 10, 2024
Why Duct Cleaning Is Essential for Allergy Sufferers

Do you or someone in your Drexel Hill, PA home suffer from annoying allergy symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, or coughing? If so, you’re one of the 50 million people in the United States who suffer from allergies.

Allergy symptoms can be caused by several things, including pollution, pollen, foods, animals, and more. In your home, contaminants such as dust particles, pet dander, volatile organic compounds, and mold spores may be to blame for your symptoms. There are several ways that you can tackle this issue, such as having your ducts professionally cleaned. Let’s look at the benefits of this process.

Removal of Particulates From Your Indoor Air

As time goes on and more air passes through your ductwork by way of your HVAC system, more and more particulates will build up in your ducts. These particulates circulate freely in your home, decreasing indoor air quality and increasing allergy symptoms.

A routine duct cleaning should be performed once every two to three years. Some homeowners schedule this service more frequently if they have pets, live in a very polluted area, or have recently had some remodeling work performed in their homes. It can benefit those who suffer from allergies to have their ducts cleaned yearly.

Using specialized equipment, an HVAC professional will remove particles from your ducts, vents, and other related HVAC equipment. Clean surfaces are left behind, allowing clean air to circulate and keep your home comfortable. These professionals often use camera equipment to inspect your ducts before they deem them completely clean.

This inspection process can also check for any damage to your ducts. If you have cracks or gaps present, a variety of contaminants can enter your ducts, making them dirtier over time. Not to mention, gaps can allow different pests to make their way into your ductwork. These pets leave behind waste material, fur, etc., which compromises your indoor air quality and allergies.

Protecting the Integrity and Function of Your HVAC System

In addition to promoting cleaner indoor air, duct cleaning can also protect your HVAC system. We rely heavily on our heating and cooling equipment to keep our indoor air clean, so it’s imperative to take the appropriate steps for whole-house system efficiency.

There are a lot of particulates that can build up on the inner components of your heating and cooling equipment, which often decreases efficiency. This can also lead to the need for more frequent repairs. A professional will clean these components during routine maintenance and duct cleaning. This is a good opportunity to spot any minor issues that need to be addressed.

Addressing Illness

Many allergy sufferers find that they get sick often. This can be caused by irritated sinuses, which allow bacteria and viruses to enter the body. When your body is already in an inflamed, irritated, and reactive state, this puts you at risk for more health issues as well. Having your ducts cleaned can reduce the presence of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens in the air you’re breathing each day. You may find that you get sick less often when you’re keeping up with routine maintenance.

Spotting Mold Issues

Exposure to mold spores can increase allergy symptoms but can also cause a host of other health problems. It’s imperative that you have mold addressed immediately if it’s spotted in your ducts. A professional can also help you determine the source of the mold. They may find a leak that’s causing the problem, or you may have high levels of humidity in your home, which is common in the Drexel Hill area. A whole-house dehumidifier can rectify this issue and bring relative humidity back down to a healthy level.

If you need to schedule a duct cleaning, reach out to the team at O'Brien Heating & Air Conditioning for assistance. Not only will we help to reduce the contaminant buildup inside of your ductwork, but we can also improve the overall efficiency of your heating and cooling equipment. This will help promote healthy indoor air. We also install new heating and cooling equipment, make emergency repairs, take care of routine maintenance, and much more. Reach out to O'Brien Heating & Air Conditioning in Drexel Hill today to schedule an appointment.

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