Can Dirty Air Ducts Make You Sick?

As the seasons change and we plan to spend more time indoors, the risk of contracting a contagious illness always naturally increases. But could there be another, more insidious cause of your inevitable seasonal sicknesses? Could your home’s dirty HVAC ducts be making you sick? Let’s get into it.

How Dirty Are Your Air Ducts?

Well you really can’t know for sure until we get into cleaning them, but if you’ve lived in your home for more than five years and you’ve never had professional air duct cleaning done, they’re probably dirtier than you’d like to imagine.

Outdoor dust and pollen, mold spores, pet hair and dander, dust mites and other indoors allergens along with unpleasant odors can take advantage of dirty air ducts. The built up dust and debris can hold these contaminants and help to recirculate them through your home. If you smoke indoors, have several pets, or have a large family, the potential for normal, household dust causing a problem in your HVAC ductwork increases pretty dramatically. Before and after images of HVAC duct cleaning can be dramatic too–you never know what’s growing in there!

Dirty Air Ducts And Illness

Since the home is relatively sealed off to the outdoors, indoor air is often cycled and recycled, catching new particles on each pass through the home. If ducts are dirty, some of these particles can lodge inside the ductwork. That means that potentially aggravating allergens could be contributing to your seasonal health complaints.

As mentioned, dust, dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens can accumulate in air ducts. Exposure to these triggers could set off allergic reactions like sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes. For those with seasonal or indoor allergies, this could be a real problem–one you can’t solve by cleaning and washing linens constantly. 

You may also encounter respiratory problems as a result of dirty air ducts. If mold, bacteria, or viruses are recirculating, you may be more prone to respiratory infections, such as colds, flu, sinus infections and asthma attacks. Even if you aren’t necessarily getting sick, you may experience constant irritation from dust and other particulate matter, leading to dry or sore eyes, nose, and throat or excessive coughing. Headaches and fatigue are also common issues that homeowners with dirty ducts may experience, along with allergic skin responses, like rashes and eczema. The resulting constant strain on your body’s immune system could leave you in a weakened state and you could then be more susceptible to any illness that you encounter out in the world. So even if your home’s dirty HVAC isn’t directly making you sick, it could be a contributing cause. 

If you already have an autoimmune disorder or a compromised immune system, you are especially at risk. Allergies, asthma and COPD indicate a predisposition to respiratory issues, and these individuals are also likely to be more sensitive to the dust and allergens in the air duct system. It’s also true that repeated or constant exposure to allergens can lead someone without allergies to develop a sensitivity. So having clean air ducts is really impactful for everyone in the home or office building, regardless of their current health.

How To Prevent Illness Resulting From Dirty HVAC Ducts

It’s already a known fact that indoor air quality is a problem for homeowners and businesses generally. Regardless of how you tackle this issue, regular duct cleaning is an important way to reduce the potential for illness and allergic reactions to indoor air pollutants.

Aside from regular HVAC maintenance, like cleaning coils and drain pans and changing filters, professional duct cleaning is a must. And thankfully, it doesn’t have to be done every year. Experts estimate that the average property owner could plan on a thorough duct cleaning every 3 to 5 years. If you start that schedule and stick to it–paired with other good household management techniques–you’ll find that you can see a reduction in the root cause of many illnesses related to indoor spaces. Getting an expert’s eyes on the interior of your home’s HVAC ductwork can also help you to catch any other issues that might arise, like moisture accumulation, leaks, and other potential breeding ground for mold and bacteria like insect or pest infestations.

Of course, in tandem with duct cleaning, it’s vital for you to visit a trusted healthcare professional in order to diagnose what you’re experiencing. That said though, having a cleaner home will generally help just about anyone feel better.

Cleaner Home, Better Health With Professional Air Duct Cleaning

Dealing with both seasonal and indoor allergies, among other respiratory conditions, can be a miserable experience. Even after doing everything right, you’re still suffering through the symptoms. Maybe it’s not you–maybe it’s your home’s dirty ductwork!

Take your solutions to the next level with professional air duct cleaning from Scrubber Ducts. Everyone in the home or office will enjoy improved indoor air quality, and you will have a space where you can know that you’re protected from indoor and outdoor allergens and respiratory contaminants. You can also rest assured knowing that your HVAC equipment is working more efficiently as it heats and cools your space. Contact the team at Scrubber Ducts to learn more about our residential and commercial services or to schedule an appointment for air duct cleaning today! We proudly serve communities throughout Northeast Ohio.