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What are the Benefits of Cleaning your HVAC System?

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Indoor air quality can be just as bad for our health as its outdoor equivalent. More so, as some research on the very subject has found over recent years. While images of industrial installations belching out noxious fumes and potentially poisonous levelks of C02 emitting from motor vehicles has seemingly served as an omnipresent public health broadcast for as long as we care to remember, timely reminders of how dangerous the indoor air that we breathe can be for us should never be disregarded.


Indoors there's a host of unwelcome house guests which are equally well versed in inviting illnesses if we don't remain vigilant to the threats. Look no further than the hostile triumvirate of would-be antagonists represented by the familiar and recurrent presence of our heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. All three of which put in regular appearances in a variety of indoor scenarios; including domestic and employment settings.


It's worthwhile to perhaps imagine them as something akin to the 'lungs' of the property in which you find yourself. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (or HVAC, for short) are known to create a significant percentage of contaminants; as well as generate a proportionate amount of air pollution throughout a building simply by their existence alone. Existence and operation, obviously.


What Sort of Material or Residues Typically Collect in HVAC Systems?


From animal dander and dust, through to chemicals and human's dead skin excretions, an awful lot of contamination evolves in and around both our homes and workplace environments. Were you aware that these examples and many more besides, are drawn into HVAC assemblages and subsequently re-circulated on average 5 - 7 times every day? This perpetual redistribution will lead to a build-up of debris which will effectively clog up the ductwork over a period of time if left unchallenged.


Let it be clear, that while a nominal volume of accumulative dust residing in air ducts doesn't need to cause undue worry, the on-going cycle during a more elongated passage of time will inevitably give rise to health and wellbeing issues if not acted upon. And by acted upon, we naturally refer to the adoption of regular cleaning methodology and practices.


It's imperative that we maintain a routine and rigorous cleaning schedule when it comes to the HVAC systems which form a part and parcel of our indoor lives and quietly go about their business behind closed doors, so to speak. Failure to do so, isn't an option. But just what measures are we suggesting and moreover; what are the perceived benefits of keeping on top of the cleaning of HVAC systems.

Find out more about other risk systems you may have on site.


Ways in Which to Maintain a Robust HVAC Cleaning Protocol


The filtering of dust, dirt, allergens and a range of other contaminants which are attracted to - and gather within the infrastructure of - HVAC systems, are the primary concerns. And very much the fundamental remits of such equipment, whenever and wherever these systems are installed. Be it at home or in an office, workshop or factory space. This filtering process enables the extraction of said harmful substances from the artificially recycled air which goes on to repopulate a building via a traditional HVAC system.


Neglecting to sustain timely maintenance procedures to the juncture by which they are no longer fit for purpose, will almost certainly result in optimal indoor air quality being severely compromised. Which will have a damaging knock-on effect for the health of those who readily frequent the indoor space the assemblage is designed and engineered to service.


Means of cleaning HVAC systems are varied depending on the scope of the job in hand. Which is governed by the size of the system and if an industrial assemblage, the number of individual components housed within its construct. Removal and replacement of existing filters and air duct covers - if ordinarily accessible - are the start points for the more domestic of set-ups, whilst more complex systems are usually best serviced by dedicated experts as and when required. And usually determined when risk assessments are first undertaken at the point in which equipment is installed on a premises.


What Other Scenarios Could Lead to Contamination of a Space, Courtesy of HVAC Systems Being Poorly Maintained?


Not necessarily a case of sub-standard servicing principles, but more often the upshot of unforeseen life events playing out. Which ultimately cause issues within the infrastructure of a system which controls heating, ventilation or air conditioning. That being the physical consequence of a building which has been exposed to water, storm, smoke or fire damage. Which has culminated in systematic contamination which requires reversing ASAP. Otherwise the likes of mould and mildew spores, soot et al can take root, and thus begin a process by which human health will again be impacted further down the line should recent happenings not be suitably addressed in situ.


OK. So With Reference to the Benefits of Cleaning the HVAC System, What Would You Highlight These as Being?


First and foremost as we've already pointed out, human health and wellbeing is both the highest priority and the most beneficial and quantifiable ramification of implementing a thorough and timely cleaning of HVAC systems in place.


Better Health and Wellbeing - 'Sick Building Syndrome' isn't merely a modern buzzword, but rather a very real health problem which affects many people across the globe at any one time. With causes more often than not traced back to poor indoor air quality caused by a multitude of protagonists. A sizeable quota of which remain largely unseen to the naked eye, yet not only exist, but thrive unobserved, if monitoring and maintenance of HVAC systems aren't identified and actioned on a regular basis.


Allergens Diminished - Aside from this, other advantages run to a noticeable reduction in allergens; especially noted when and where individuals display allergies at other times. Cleaning of air ducts tends to promote a healthier immediate environment per se, as clean-running HVAC equipment will then be able to perform its duties with more far-reaching successes.


Odour Elimination - Odours can't just be eradicated by air fresheners alone. So that musty, anti-social scent lingering in your home or place of work needs an extra boost if it's to be banished completely. A well-maintained HVAC system is the first line of defence in consigning unwanted smells to history. The ones more commonly associated with the congregation of dust, fungi and mildew; which over time conspire to create noxious odours which simply won't disappear by their own means.


The Saving of Energy/Money - For energy-saving, also read money-saving. If one of the aforementioned bonuses doesn't grab your attentions, then the other should. Tremendous costs and energy-saving will quickly be acknowledged after the timely cleaning of air ducts, make no mistake. Especially if a HVAC system has been ignored for a considerable passing of time, allowing for an excessive accumulation of various allergens and contaminants. All of which hinder the optimal performance of a system which is there to circulate indoor air by one means or another at any given time. By being unloved, heating and cooling systems are left with little choice than to recruit more energy and essentially work that much harder so as to filter out nefarious pollutants. Which also shortens the lifespan on an over-worked assemblage too. What's more, air filtered with considerably more ease not only minimises utility bills, but also has a positive effect in terms of lessening our carbon footprints too.


Impacts on Repair Costs - Should heating/cooling systems encounter constant issues as it attempts to move air through ductwork, all that extra physical burden will inevitably lead to (at best) the compromising of loss of functionality. Or (at worst) a limited life cycle as touched on above. Extra stresses on system architecture equals more advanced wear and tear, which in turn results in higher maintenance and the unavoidable end game best illustrated by parts failure and system breakdown as it capitulates under the pressure. Conversely, routine cleaning of HVAC systems will enable and champion a greater longevity of the equipment.


Comfortable Temperatures - Think about it for a minute. If a HVAC system is clogged up and constantly wrestling with contaminants, it can affect the air ducts. Which of course then impacts on the actual performance of the heating/air cooling mechanisms, as you might expect. Cleaned air ducts however removes the common debris which stifle the air flow. Fast forward to a cleaner-running system, and efficient heating will follow. Together with a far more effective air flow surrounding air conditioning.

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