Can Problems With Your Ductwork Affect Indoor Air Quality?

It’s easy to forget about your home’s ductwork when considering regular home maintenance, since it’s virtually unseen. Unfortunately, hidden problems in the ducts can result in poor indoor air quality, and create health problems. Even the best HVAC maintenance efforts may be thwarted if your ductwork goes unchecked.

Leaky Ductwork and Negative Pressure

If your ductwork isn’t properly sealed, your home will lose the heated or cooled air at the leak point(s), instead of circulating through your home as it should. This creates negative pressure in the home, reducing the efficiency of your HVAC system.

The less efficient air movement negatively impacts indoor air quality (IAQ), as various particulates, and fumes from household and other chemicals that enter the duct, can now seep into your home. Outside air, bringing pollen and other pollutants will pose a problem, particularly for those with respiratory or allergy problems. Even worse, the negative pressure can cause backdrafting from combustion appliances, bringing dangerous carbon monoxide into the home.

Moisture Buildup in the Ducts

Leaky ductwork can cause moisture control problems. Any area that is damp for too long presents serious threats to indoor air quality. Mold and mildew thrive in these conditions and are harmful to your health.

Dirty Ductwork Issues

As with leaky ducts, many persons do not necessarily consider the importance of duct cleaning. Dirty ducts can also result in health problems. If your home has suffered water damage or an animal infestation, there could be mold, mildew or animal droppings in your ducts. Since this is a closed system, these contaminants will simply circulate throughout the home, reducing your indoor air quality and adding potentially dangerous elements to the air.

Learn more about Preferred Air Conditioning & Mechanical, LLC’s indoor air quality solutions, or give our team of experts a call at (772) 905-3358.