Improve Indoor Air Quality with Air Duct Cleaning

Posted on 08/16/2017

Indoor animals can stir up more than just allergies

air duct cleaning indoor air quality

Americans love their pets, but few are as fond of the way pet hair can build up. If you’re wondering why a visitor with animal allergies is still sneezing after you’ve cleaned and vacuumed up after your pet, the answer may be indoor air pollution. Animal dander—the skin cells that animals naturally shed, like dandruff in humans—and other things like pet drool and dirt being tracked in from outdoors can build up and circulate through the air in your home. Dander can be especially difficult to get rid of because it stays in the air for a long time, and can easily become airborne again when you clean. 

Diligent cleaning and vacuuming are just one way to combat the buildup of indoor air pollution from pets. NADCA recommends that pet owners have their home’s air ducts cleaned on a regular basis to clear out any built-up pet hair, dander and other dirt circulation through the home. This can help ensure that once you’ve cleaned up after a pet, old pet hair and dander won’t blow back out of dirty air ducts when your heat or air conditioning kick on.

The other air-quality problem created by the presence of pets is that air ducts and ventilation systems can become clogged with pet hair. When air can’t circulate through a system, or when filters are especially dirty, they become breeding grounds for mold and bacteria, which can cause a slew of other unpleasant symptoms for visitors and people living in the home. 

NADCA recommends that air handling units--your air conditioning unit or furnance--be inspected at least once a year and cleaned as needed. When looking to hire an air duct cleaning company, make sure to hire a reputable company with NADCA-certified technicians who clean ducts according to industry standards. Use the Find a Professional Directory within the NADCA website to locate a member company in your area.