The HVAC ductwork hidden behind your home’s walls and ceilings is essential for distributing the air your family breathes, so keeping it free of contaminants is very important. Here’s how to prevent ductwork contamination and to keep your air supply free of pollen, mold, dust mites, bacteria, chemical residues and other undesirable pollutants:
Maintain Your HVAC System
During twice-yearly maintenance visits, a NATE-certified technician will inspect, clean and tune-up your system to boost energy efficiency and prolong equipment lifespan. Preventative care also keeps contaminants from entering your HVAC system, while ensuring your equipment operates safely to reduce your risk of exposure to deadly carbon monoxide (CO).
Prevent Moisture Infiltration
Leaky, unsealed ductwork and design issues can let moisture enter your air distribution system. This creates the ideal environment for mold growth. To avoid possible moisture and mold problems, have your ductwork system tested for leaks and assessed for design flaws.
Increase Filtration
Effective filtration is vital for keeping allergens and other unhealthy particles from entering your HVAC system. To gain the biggest benefit, choose a filter with the highest possible minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating that meets your equipment manufacturer’s recommendations. Your HVAC contractor can advise you about other options for boosting filtration.
Protect Your Ductwork When Renovating
Make sure your construction contractor seals your ductwork before starting remodeling work. This is vital for keeping debris, such as fine drywall particles and sawdust, from entering your HVAC system. Sealing your ductwork not only ensures a clean air supply, it also helps prevent damage to sensitive HVAC system components.
Keep Your Ductwork Clean
Regularly vacuuming your home can keep many unhealthy components from being pulled in through your HVAC system’s return air vents. To remove debris buildup, schedule professional duct cleaning periodically. If you’re having older ductwork replaced or are building a new home, make sure your installer cleans your ducts to remove oil residue and debris.
To learn other ways to prevent ductwork contamination in your Fresno home, contact Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Fresno, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about ductwork and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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