If you have just moved into a new home, everything may appear to be spotless, as the outgoing seller certainly wanted to make sure that they left a good impression. After all, you wouldn't agree to buy a home that hadn't been cleaned and looked dirty, would you? However, what you can't see, should worry you and in particular you should be focusing on the A/C ducting. Why is it important for you to take action and what should you be doing to fix the issue?
Why It's Overlooked
Think of air conditioning ducts as a breathing system for your home. You cannot see inside them, so you are unaware of what condition they're in. Most homeowners do not schedule an annual cleaning for these systems, unfortunately, and the outgoing seller may not have done so. However, the dust and dirt can still build up inside.
How Dirt Builds Up
As you know, particles of dust are everywhere and when your air conditioning system is on, the intake will gather dirt- and dust-laden air on a constant basis. It'll pick up pet hair, construction dust, smoking residue and other airborne allergens. While many of these particles will get trapped in the filter on the way in, a certain amount will not. They will enter the ducting system and some will stick to the walls due to a certain amount of humidity or moisture inside. Over time, this contamination will build up considerably and it will affect the clean air flowing by on its way to cool your rooms.
What the Bigger Risk Is
When you're inside, you are breathing in whatever comes out of the A/C ducting and if the interior is contaminated in this way, your health could be at risk in the long term, as well.
How to Schedule a Cleaning
Get in touch with an A/C contractor to schedule a duct cleaning job as soon as possible. You need to ensure that all of the accessible ductwork is brushed and vacuumed, at the same time as all of the vent grilles are removed, cleaned and replaced. The blower wheel and air chases also need to be serviced, as does the evaporator coil in the main system. It's best if anti-fungal sealant is applied in the appropriate areas and the entire system is sprayed with disinfectant.
For more information about A/C cleaning, talk to a repair company near you.
