Dirty Ductwork: 7 Health Risks of Living With Dirty Air Ducts in Your Home

If you’re like the average American, you probably spend about 90 percent of your time indoors.

You might even think this is a good thing, especially with so many reports circulating about poor air quality outdoors. The truth of the matter, though, is that the air inside your home can be between two and five times more polluted than the air outside!

One of the main causes of indoor air pollution is dirty air ducts. 

Read on to learn about some of the most dangerous health risks associated with them. You’ll also learn how to tell if your air ducts need cleaning.

1. Pest Infestations

If you go too long without cleaning the ductwork in your home, it can become the perfect nesting ground for pests like mice and rats. They love to burrow into and build their nests in dirty, dusty places like your air ducts.

If you have pests running around your home, they could expose you and your family to all kinds of germs and diseases. They may also bring in more pests, such as fleas, giving you additional problems to worry about.

2. Mold Growth

When your air ducts remain dirty for extended periods of time, moisture can start to build up in them. This, in turn, makes it easy for mold to start building up in them. 

Every time your air conditioner or heater kicks on, mold spores can get carried out into your home, where it’s easy for you and your loved ones to breathe it in.

Chronic mold exposure can lead to mold toxicity. This is characterized by a variety of health problems, including respiratory issues, fatigue, weight gain, and headaches.

3. Dust Buildup

If dirt and dust build up in your air ducts, those particles will get blown around your home whenever the HVAC system is running. This can cause dust to buildup on the surfaces throughout your home.

You may find that you’re dusting more often than you’d like as a result. Not only is this annoying, but dust buildup can be problematic to people dealing with respiratory issues like allergies or asthma. 

4. Asbestos Exposure

Sometimes, when air ducts aren’t cleaned on a regular basis, the material used in their insulation can break off and mix into the air.

Many air ducts are insulated with a material that contains asbestos, a combination of fibrous minerals that may be carcinogenic.

If asbestos gets into the air of your home, they can contribute to serious illnesses (including lung cancer) for yourself and your loved ones.

5. Faster Aging

Breathing in contaminated air from dirty air ducts can also speed up the aging process. You may notice that you get tired more easily if your air ducts are dirty and go too long without being cleaned.

You may also start to experience outward signs of aging, such as wrinkles. This is because exposure to polluted air also increases your exposure to free radicals. Free radicals cause oxidative stress to the body and damage your cells.

6. Skin Conditions

In addition to wrinkles, you might notice other skin problems affecting you and your family.

Polluted air may make skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis worse. It could also contribute to the development of rashes and hives.

7. Worsened Pre-Existing Conditions

If you or someone in your family already deals with a chronic health condition, dirty ductwork could make their symptoms worse.

For example, if someone has asthma or a chronic pulmonary condition, they may find that they have more attacks or that they feel generally unwell when they are exposed to polluted indoor air.

Signs You Have Dirty Air Ducts

As you can see, dirty air ducts can cause a lot of problems for you and your family. How do you know if dirty ductwork is to blame for the symptoms you or your loved ones are experiencing, though?

If you’re on the fence about investing in air duct cleaning in Austin, ask yourself the following questions and see if they apply to your home situation:

When Did You Last Have Your Ductwork Cleaned?

If you can’t remember when the ductwork in your house was last cleaned, there’s a good chance you need to call a professional. Who knows what’s been building up in there since your last cleaning?

Is There Visible Dust on Your Vents?

Take a look at the vents in your home. Do you see dust built up on them or inside of them? If so, that’s a good sign that it’s time for a duct cleaning.

Is There Visible Mold on Your HVAC Unit?

If mold is growing on your HVAC unit, it’s probably growing in other areas of your home, too. As soon as you notice mold growth, it’s time to get the ductwork cleaned.

Do You Have Consistent Airflow?

Have you noticed that certain areas of your home cool down or heat up faster than others? Inconsistent airflow throughout your home could indicate dirty ductwork. 

Do You Hear Noises Coming from Your Ductwork?

Do you hear strange noises coming from the ducts in your home? This could be a sign of a pest infestation. It could also indicate a blockage created by dust or dirt buildup.

Are Your Energy Bills Going Up?

Finally, consider whether your energy bills have been higher than usual. If there’s been an increase and you’re not sure why, it could be because your HVAC system is not running in an efficient way due to dirt buildup or other cleanliness issues.

Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned Today

Now that you know more about the health risks that come with long-term exposure to dirty air ducts, are you ready to take action and keep yourself (and your family) safe?

Start by checking for signs that your air ducts are in need of a good cleaning. If you notice any of the signs listed above, call an air duct cleaning company right away (don’t try to tackle the problem on your own).

Do you want to learn more about keeping your home clean and making sure it’s a health-promoting place? Visit the Home Advice section of our site today for more advice.