Your home is your castle, but it might not be a space that is helping you to remain healthy. Maintaining the HVAC system in your house is critical if you are going to stay as healthy as possible. Homes with an older system and HVAC systems that haven’t been cleaned and maintained could make the occupants sick.
If your home has an older HVAC system or you notice that it isn’t working optimally, today is the day that you must act. Waiting too long could mean that your utility bills rise, your health declines, and your HVAC system goes out prematurely.
Dangers of an Old HVAC System
When you first have an HVAC system installed, it is going to work as intended because everything is new. As the system ages, dirt and bacteria begin to accumulate in the ducts. The germs and dust blow through the ducts and into your home when the unit is on. This is the reason you might notice dust accumulation on surfaces throughout the house.
The presence of dust can lead to allergies for members of your family. People who have weakened immune systems can suffer from more illnesses than usual. You’re going to start having to dust more often, and you will likely find that surfaces are still unclean immediately after you clean.
Tips for Regular Maintenance
One of the primary maintenance steps to take is changing the air filter on the unit. This helps to trap some of the dust before it enters the ducts. Each HVAC system has a schedule for changing the filters. Be sure to abide by it, even if it doesn’t look dirty. Set a reminder on your phone so you can ensure that you never miss a filter change.
As the ducts age, microscopic cracks in them can occur. You can dress this issue by having professional duct cleaning performed regularly. This service helps to prevent the dust from accumulating in the ducts; however, it won’t address the issue of leaks.
If you notice mold on the HVAC unit or around any of the vents, having the ducts cleaning is a top priority. Leaks in the ductwork might lead to moisture accumulation. Mold and mildew thrive in moist conditions, so the moisture must be eliminated. If it is allowed to go unchecked, the mold or mildew spores can travel throughout your home because the HVAC system is infected with them.
Addressing Pesky Leaks in Ducts
If you are wondering how to fix a cold room, you have found the answer. Cold rooms are often due to leaks in the ducts that allow the warm air to escape before it gets to the room. These leaky spots can also allow dust to settle into the duct. Hiring someone to seal the ducts can help to alleviate three problems all at once. Dust won’t accumulate as much. Your family might be healthier. Your utility bill should begin to fall.
Be sure to make a note of which rooms remain colder during the winter or hotter during the summer. Relay this to the technician who comes out. They can focus on that area, so all the rooms in your home feel the same. Of course, the other ducts also need sealing to provide you with optimal benefit.
Reasonable Investment, Huge Benefits
Newer homes can use the most energy-efficient home design, but you don’t have to suffer if you already own an older home. Inspecting the HVAC system and determining what issues are present can result in you being able to stretch the life of the system so you aren’t trying to move or purchase a new one too soon.
Matt Lee is the owner of the Innovative Construction and Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.
