Last updated on January 20th, 2021 at 12:20 pm
What if there are infectious bacteria and viruses looming behind the walls of your own home? Unfortunately, there probably are. Microbes can spread anywhere, and that includes the parts of your house that are out of everyday reach: Your Air Ducts.
How Do Viruses and Bacteria End Up in Air Ducts?
People, pets, and pests will inevitably bring microbes into your home. In most cases, they are carried by hosts and transferred to others through direct contact rather than the air. However, microbes can also become airborne and spread throughout your home environment. It’s inevitable that some will wind up hidden in your air ducts.
Since Air Ducts aren’t cleaned very often, the viruses and bacteria in your ducts will go untouched. Most will remain undisturbed in your ducts and die before they can infect anyone, but a few will get blown around your home as soon as you turn on your heat or even just from normal air flow.
Your heating system may be pumping germs as well as warm air throughout your home. That’s one reason why many homeowners choose to have their air ducts cleaned.
Are Germs More Likely to Survive in Air Ducts?
Most viruses cannot survive more than a few days without a host, but they can stick around longer in certain environments. Air vents tend to be fairly warm, and in many cases, they are also moist due to condensation. This makes them the perfect place for viruses and bacteria to survive.
How Do I Prevent the Spread of Viruses and Bacteria in My Home?
It’s inevitable that microbes will end up inside your home no matter what you do. All living creatures carry viruses and bacteria — including people, pets, pests, and insects. However, there are still actions you can take to reduce your exposure.
The two main methods for preventing the spread of viruses in your home are cleaning and hygiene. Most people know to cover their coughs and sneezes, wash their hands often, and limit contact with family members who are ill, but that’s not always enough.
Viruses and bacteria love to lurk on areas like kitchen sponges, dishcloths, floors, toilets, and home desks. It’s best to regularly clean and disinfect these areas and any others you often touch. To disinfect a kitchen sponge, dampen it and microwave it for 1-2 minutes on high. Take special care when washing anything that was touched by someone who is sick.
If you want to go further, you can also invest in a Whole House UV Air Purifier. These air quality systems filter the air using a combination of UV-C light and activated carbon, which provides unmatched germ and odor reduction. The APCO UV Air Purifier also reduces volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and toluene.
How to Remove Viruses from Air Ducts?
Unfortunately, none of these measures will remove microbes from your air ducts. The only way to effectively remove all the dust, germs, mold, and other contaminants that build up in your ducts over time is to hire a qualified air duct cleaning professional.
DuctVac Northwest provides professional duct cleaning to help you improve your indoor air quality. With over 25 years of experience in the HVAC industry, we have the skills and knowledge to help you improve your indoor air quality.