How Dirty Ductwork Can Damage Your Home Comfort

Most homes have central heating and cooling that relies on ductwork hidden in walls, floors, ceilings, and crawl spaces. Because you can’t see it, ductwork tends to go years without being cleaned, and that can have a real impact on your comfort and your health. In South Louisiana, where humidity is high and many homes sit on piers with exposed ductwork underneath, the problem is even more common.

Mold Can Live in Ductwork

Mold is a common fungus that can be found in many homes. It’s necessary for decomposition in nature, but you don’t want it in your ventilation system. Mold thrives in humid environments, and even though ductwork might not seem wet, insulated air ducts are prone to absorbing moisture. Mold in your ducts contributes to poor indoor air quality and can cause symptoms like wheezing, coughing, increased mucus production, and skin rashes.

Poor Indoor Air Quality

Neglecting your home’s ductwork can result in poor indoor air quality. Even without other indoor pollutants, dirty ductwork alone can substantially reduce your quality of living.

Mice and Bugs Sometimes Live in Ductwork

Mice and insects, again, are part of life on planet Earth, but virtually nobody wants to live with them. Since ducts often go years, if not decades, without being inspected, rodents or insects can puncture, travel through, or even live in them. While mice traps and fumigators might be effective in many situations, eliminating these pests from ductwork is a different story. In addition to not being fun to live around, they can cause allergy and asthma flares and even spread disease.

Dirty ductwork can impact your family’s health, lower energy efficiency, and even reduce your home’s value. We’ve been cleaning and replacing ductwork across Acadiana since 1956, and we’ve pulled some shocking things out of older duct systems. If it’s been more than a few years since your ducts were inspected (or if you’ve never had them checked), call F & R Air Conditioning at (337) 893-5646 and we’ll take a look.