A Working AC Makes a Clean Home
Cleaning is a never-ending battle for most families. From picking up dirty socks every morning, to trying to get the kids excited about a chore chart, it’s exhausting and sometimes it seems like the mess never ends.
Seriously. Didn’t you just dust that table yesterday?
Your never-ending battle with dust may not be in your head. There could be a culprit hiding in plain sight, disguised as something that is supposed to make your home more comfortable and essentially more livable: your air conditioner.
We’re here to give you the dirty truth about your dusty home, how your AC comes into play, and how to prevent the need for excessive cleaning.
The Dusty Details
For something that seems to be everywhere, we don’t often think about what dust actually is. Or maybe we do know what it is, and choose not to think about it. Because when you break it down, dust is gross.
What is Dust?
Dust is a fine matter made up of:
- Dirt
- Lint
- Pollen
- Food debris
- Mold spores
- Decaying insects
- Human and animal skin cells
Really, dust is made of anything that can break down into very small particles, float around, and settle. Like we said...gross.
How Does Dust Affect My Home?
Other than being an eyesore, dust can have a largely negative impact on your home. Exposure to dust can lead to irritation of the respiratory system, skin, and eyes. If a family member suffers from a respiratory condition like asthma or chronic obstructive airways disease, their symptoms could be made worse from long exposure to dust.
What’s Wrong With My AC?
A good air conditioner has components that work to keep debris out of your circulating air. So, layers of dust gathering on every surface is a big indicator that something is off with your system.
Here are a few things that could be causing your air conditioner to act up.
Dirty Filters
We are constantly preaching the importance of air filters for a reason! An air filter serves to catch all the yucky particles in the air before they flow out into your home. Once the filters become full, there is nothing to keep your air clean.
This is why it’s important to consistently replace your air filters. Every 2-3 months is recommended for homes with pets, and every month is recommended for those who have a family member with allergies or asthma.
Ductwork
Your air ducts are responsible for carrying air from room to room and when they’re dirty, they’ll pick up particles and recirculate them in your air. Your ducts should be cleaned about once every 3-5 years to keep air quality up.
If there is a leak in your air ducts, it will allow surrounding air to enter your airflow. Since ductwork is typically located in dirty spots like your attic, basement, or behind walls, the air entering is not the air you’d like to breathe or have settled in your home.
Outdated System
Another reason your AC could be making your home dusty is simply old age. As HVAC systems get older, they slow down and don’t work as properly. If yours is over 15 years old, it may be time for a new unit.
Wipe Away The Problem
Now that we know what is causing the air conditioner to dirty up your home, how do we solve it? One way homeowners can help is by changing their air filters as instructed above. It’s also important that you have a professional come in to inspect your unit and perform preventative maintenance. This maintenance will help avoid larger problems down the line that could cost you more.
You should also schedule regular duct cleaning to ensure a squeaky clean system and fresh, beautiful air for your family!
Fountain Valley HVAC Services
Our technicians are the ones to call for your maintenance appointments! With quality customer service and expert knowledge of HVAC systems, we are ready to get your home back to dust-free air! Give John Stevenson Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. a call at (760) 276-6690 to schedule your duct cleaning!