How Duct Cleaning Can Reduce Allergies in Your Oakland County Home

Between the wheezing and sneezing, your allergies has you feeling trapped.

With pollen levels already on the rise in Oakland County and other parts of Michigan, the question of how to find allergy relief is probably at the top of your list this spring.

Our team at Harriman Heating & Air Conditioning has some solutions to ward off the itchy eyes and scratchy eyes, and they involve more than just stocking up on Kleenex!

One Solution: Clean Your Ducts!

At Harriman Heating & Cooling, we understand the frustration of not being able to fully enjoy your home and the beautiful Michigan outdoors due to allergies and poor indoor air quality (IAQ). That’s why we want to shed light on a crucial yet often overlooked solution: professional air duct cleaning.

This blog is dedicated to homeowners in Novi, and throughout Oakland County who are tired of battling allergies and respiratory issues within the confines of their home. We’ll delve into how clean air ducts can significantly improve your indoor environment and help you breathe easier.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Why Clean Your Ducts: Uncover the hidden world of contaminants that can accumulate within your HVAC system’s ductwork.
• IAQ and Allergies: Understand the direct link between poor indoor air quality and the exacerbation of allergies and respiratory problems.
• How Duct Cleaning Works: Learn about the professional process of duct cleaning and what it entails.
• Protect Your Health: Discover the tangible health benefits of clean air ducts and how they contribute to a healthier living environment for you and your family.

Why Clean Your Ducts: Unveiling the Hidden Contaminants

Imagine the network of tunnels running throughout your home—these are your air ducts. They are responsible for carrying conditioned air from your furnace and air conditioner to every room, ensuring your comfort year-round.

Over time, these ducts can become a breeding ground for a surprising array of contaminants.

Think about the dust that settles on your furniture, the pet dander that clings to your carpets, and the pollen that drifts in through open windows. Now imagine a portion of these particles being sucked into your HVAC system through return air vents. Instead of being completely captured by your air filter, some of these contaminants can settle and accumulate within your ductwork.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. This is a significant statistic, especially considering that most Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors.

What’s in Those Air Ducts?

While you might diligently clean your living spaces, the hidden environment within your ductwork can harbor:

• Dust and Dust Mites: These microscopic creatures thrive in dust, and their droppings are a major trigger for allergies and asthma.
• Pet Dander: If you have furry companions, their shed skin and hair can circulate through your ducts and become trapped.
• Pollen: Even with closed windows, pollen can find its way into your home and HVAC system, especially during Michigan’s allergy seasons.
• Mold and Mildew: In humid environments or areas with leaks, mold spores can grow within your ductwork and release harmful mycotoxins into the air you breathe.
• Insect Droppings and Debris: Unwanted pests can sometimes find their way into ductwork, leaving behind allergens and contaminants.
• Construction Debris: If you’ve recently renovated your home, dust and debris from the construction process can linger in your ducts.

Every time your HVAC system operates, these accumulated contaminants are stirred up and circulated throughout your home, directly impacting the air you and your family breathe.

Poor IAQ and Allergies: The Perfect Storm

The quality of the air inside your home, or indoor air quality (IAQ), plays a critical role in your overall health, especially for those who suffer from allergies and respiratory conditions like asthma.

When the air circulating through your home is laden with the irritants mentioned above, it can trigger a cascade of unpleasant symptoms.

For allergy sufferers in Novi, and throughout the rest of Oakland County, the seasonal changes already present challenges. The spring brings pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds, while ragweed takes over in the late summer and fall.

When your indoor air is also contaminated with dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores, your body is under constant attack.

This can lead to allergies or asthma symptoms, respiratory irritation, fatigue, and headaches.

Your home is your sanctuary, a place where you should be able to escape the environmental triggers that plague you outdoors. However, if your air ducts are circulating these very irritants, your home becomes part of the problem, not the solution.

Many of our customers report a significant reduction in allergy symptoms after duct cleaning.

How Duct Cleaning Works

Professional ductwork cleaning is a specialized service that goes beyond simply changing your air filter. Harriman Heating & Cooling utilizes advanced equipment and techniques to thoroughly clean your entire ductwork system.

Here’s a glimpse into the process:

1. Inspection: Our certified technicians will begin with a thorough inspection of your ductwork using specialized cameras. This allows us to identify the extent of the contamination and any potential issues like mold growth or pest infestations.
2. Source Removal: We use powerful, truck-mounted vacuum systems equipped with HEPA filtration to create negative pressure within your ductwork. This ensures that the dislodged contaminants are effectively captured and removed from your home, preventing them from circulating into your living spaces.
3. Agitation: To loosen the debris that has adhered to the duct walls, we utilize specialized tools such as brushes, air whips, and compressed air nozzles. These tools are carefully maneuvered through your ductwork to dislodge dust, dander, and other contaminants.
4. Sanitization and Deodorization (Optional): In some cases, we may recommend sanitizing and deodorizing your ductwork to eliminate any remaining mold spores, bacteria, or odors. We use EPA-approved products that are safe for your home and family.
5. Final Inspection: After the cleaning is complete, we conduct a final inspection to ensure that your ductwork is clean and free of debris.

Professional duct cleaning requires specialized equipment and expertise to be done effectively and safely. We can get the job done in a few hours.

Attempting to clean your ducts yourself with a household vacuum cleaner is not sufficient and can even stir up more contaminants.

Protect Your Health: The Tangible Benefits of Clean Air Ducts

Investing in professional air duct cleaning from Harriman Heating & Cooling offers numerous health benefits for you and your family, especially if you suffer from allergies or respiratory issues:

• Reduced Allergens and Irritants: By removing the accumulated dust, dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and other allergens from your ductwork, you can significantly reduce the triggers that cause allergy symptoms.
• Elimination of Mold and Bacteria: Professional cleaning can remove mold and bacteria that may be growing in your ductwork, preventing the spread of harmful spores and improving overall air quality.
• Odor Removal: Trapped dust, mold, and other contaminants can contribute to unpleasant odors circulating through your home. Duct cleaning can help eliminate these odors, leaving your home smelling fresher.

Breathe Easier Inside Your Oakland County Home

Don’t let allergies and poor indoor air quality keep you from enjoying the beauty of spring in Michigan or the comfort of your own home year-round. If you’re a homeowner in Novi, MI, or any of the other surrounding Oakland County communities, it’s time to consider the benefits of professional air duct cleaning from Harriman Heating & Air Conditioning.

We’ve been helping homes and businesses with their heating, cooling, and IAQ since we opened our doors in 1996. Our experienced technicians are dedicated to providing you with the highest quality service and ensuring that your home’s air is clean, healthy, and breathable. For a free, no-obligation consultation, call us at 734-271-6200 or request service online.