Dirty vents are one of the symptoms you can look forward to when using an air conditioning system at home. This problem gets worse over time, especially when you fail to clean your dirty air ducts frequently. Dust in your vents can cause serious illness, but it is not just an issue for homeowners. This post discusses some of the health issues associated with dusty ac vents.
How can dusty vents make you sick?
Allowing dust to collect inside your air vents over a prolonged period can result in various health conditions in your household. It is essential to clean them regularly to avoid any of the sicknesses below:
Coughing
The risk of getting a cold or the flu is much higher when dust accumulates inside your vents. This is because these conditions are airborne, meaning they can easily be transmitted through particles in the air. The dust tends to block your airways, resulting in a cough.
Allergy Symptoms
Cleaning your dirty air ducts regularly can reduce the risk for allergy attacks by up to 70%. For people who suffer from allergies, this can be a significant benefit. Dust in your vents is especially problematic because it contains so many allergens, such as pollen, that can cause discomfort for allergy sufferers.
Asthma Attacks
People with asthma are at risk of an attack when exposed to dusty air. They may experience a worsening of their symptoms, especially if they have sensitivities to dust and allergens that are common in homes with dirty vents, such as animal dander or pollen. Furthermore, if you have lung conditions such as COPD, bronchitis, sick building syndrome, or pneumonia in your household, consider air duct cleaning and dust proofing your vents to improve your indoor air quality.
Eye irritation
Dusty air vents can irritate the eyes of anyone living in a home with dirty ducts. This can be an annoying problem when you are trying to watch TV or read inside your home. Putting in the effort to clean your dirty air ducts regularly will reduce the amount of dust in your home, resulting in fewer cases of eye irritation.
Sore throat
People will experience sore throats when exposed to poor indoor air quality. This is because the particles are very irritating, which causes your airways to swell up slightly and results in a scratchy throat.
Fatigue
People living in dusty homes often feel lethargic. This is because the amount of dust you inhale over time can cause various pulmonary health conditions, resulting in fatigue. Dust blocking your airways leads to less oxygen being available, making it harder for your body to function normally. You might find yourself yearning to sit down and take a rest every other time.
Dizziness
Another side effect of dirty air ducts is dizziness. Dust build-up inside your air ducts can result in the accumulation of particles to block your airflow and make you feel out of sorts or dizzy. This happens because less oxygen reaches your brain, which may cause you to lose consciousness if not treated swiftly.
Dry and itchy skin
Dirty air ducts affect the health of your skin. The particles tend to irritate your skin, causing dry and itchy patches on your body. This is especially true for people who suffer from dermatitis or eczema because they are more sensitive to allergens than other individuals.
Autoimmune disorders
People who suffer from autoimmune disorders are more likely to get sick due to harmful indoor air quality. Dust in your HVAC system can trigger an immune response, which results in the body attacking its cells and tissues, leading to inflammation that causes discomfort or even pain.
Headaches
Dusty ac vents may also lead to headaches. When your air quality is not to the desired standards, airways are irritated from dust in the vents; you may feel a headache coming on after inhaling particles for an extended period.
Sinus infections
Sinus infections can also be a result of a dusty air system. The accumulation of dust inside your air ducts causes the sinuses to swell up and become inflamed or irritated. Poor air quality leads to pain, pressure and mucus build-up in the nose that is hard to get rid of since it blocks airflow completely.
Stress
Lastly, you might experience more stress as a result of dusty vents. The accumulation of particles compromises the air quality, resulting in constant discomfort, impacting your mental health, leading to anxiety and mood disorders that are difficult to treat. Not to mention that you’ll be dealing with so many unwanted symptoms over time.
How to reduce dust build-up
Keeping your vents clean requires regular maintenance. You should hire a professional to do the job for you or purchase tools and equipment to help you keep the air ducts cleaned. Ideally, this should happen once every six months to keep your ducts clean and avoid such problems. Alternatively, you can do it anytime you feel there is too much dust for your comfort.
What are the benefits of air duct cleaning?
Regularly cleaning your dirty air ducts can reduce the amount of dust in your home, shielding you from a host of medical conditions, as discussed above. This is not only good for the health of your family but also that of your air conditioning unit.
We Offer All Air Conditioning Services!
At Desert Air Conditioning, we offer all HVAC services for your home and office, including air duct cleaning, AC repair, and maintenance. Our air conditioning contractors La Quinta are trained to help you determine what type of service your HVAC system needs and provide the necessary assistance. Call us today and book an appointment!