Midvale, Utah and the entire Salt Lake City metro area is absolutely no stranger to air quality issues.
From traffic and construction to seasonal atmospheric inversions, air pollution has continued to be one of the top environmental issues for all of Northern Utah.
But what’s important for Utah residents to understand is that their outdoor air issues can also plague indoor air quality (IAQ) at both homes and businesses, which essentially means that countless Utahans don’t realize that they’re breathing in bad air on a daily basis.
We’ve recently reached out to the ductwork cleaning midvale utah experts at Apex Clean Air to get a better idea of why dirty ductwork worsens indoor air quality in places like Salt Lake City, and the answers we received from their HVAC technicians were truly troubling…
So, check out the below sections to learn more about the links between poor IAQ and outdoor pollution, why dirty ducts make your property’s indoor air much worse, and common warning signs that your property might need professional duct cleaning!
The Hidden Links Between Indoor Air Quality & Outdoor Pollution
It’s no secret how Utah has a very unique geography in comparison to the rest of the country, and cities like Midvale just so happen to be located right in the crux of the region’s air pollution problems.
Atmospheric inversions are known for trapping particulate matter and smog during both the summer and winter months, and wildfire smoke has also become a huge issue in recent years in the summertime as well.
But the real catch is that once this polluted outdoor air enters your property’s duct system, it often circulates and doesn’t go away.
This is crucial for local homeowners to understand, because neglecting ductwork cleaning can lead to dangerous repositories for allergens, dust, mold spores, bacteria, and other outdoor pollutants that only keep cycling throughout your property!
Why Dirty Ductwork Worsens Indoor Air Pollution
Dirty ductwork is essentially like a sponge for indoor air contaminants, and here’s how:
- Debris & Dust Buildup: As harmful air particles settle into your property’s ducts, they’ll inevitably be pushed into your indoor air supply while you consistently run your HVAC system.
- Mold Development: Moisture like condensation and humidity from your HVAC system can often lead to mold development deep within your ductwork, which unfortunately releases harmful spores into your home.
- Trapped Pollen & Allergens: Springtime pollen often makes its way into residential HVAC systems, and neglecting AC maintenance can lead to these allergens getting trapped—and subsequently exacerbating seasonal allergies a lot longer than normal.
- Pests or Rodents: In some rare scenarios, pests can crawl their way into a home’s ductwork and leave behind dander or droppings, which contaminates a home’s indoor air quality.
So, the bottom line essentially is that your home’s entire HVAC system can silently be harming your household when you neglect professional ductwork cleaning for too long!
How Midvale, Utah’s Construction & Climate Add To Indoor Air Quality Problems
Midvale and all of Salt Lake City have experienced rapid development, which means that there are construction projects just about everywhere you look these days.
And when you add this exorbitant amount of construction on top of the area’s dry climate, you add the following layers onto existing indoor air quality issues:
- Widespread construction inevitably stirs up debris and dirt, which often find its way inside properties.
- Dry wind and air will carry the region’s dust particles, until it settles into a home’s ductwork.
- Closed windows during atmospheric inversions can make your home’s indoor air the main air that you breathe on a daily basis, so your property’s IAQ becomes exponentially more important.
Who’s Most At Risk Of Indoor Air Quality Issues?
Although everyone is at risk of poor indoor air quality issues, there are certain groups of people who are often particularly vulnerable, including:
- Elderly people and children
- People with allergies, asthma and other respiratory conditions
- Pets
- Office workers
How Professional Ductwork Cleaning Helps Improve A Home’s Indoor Air Quality
Homeowners will inevitably notice all sorts of differences when they hire professional teams for ductwork cleaning services, and this is largely because cleaning your ducts will remove things like:
- Mold and mildew
- Debris
- Built-up dust
- Pest waste
- Trapped pollutants and allergens
The main result of these appointments is healthier, fresher and cleaner air in your home!
Common Red Flags That Your Home Might Need Ductwork Cleaning
If you’re not quite sure if your home needs professional air duct cleaning or not, check out these red flags that you should be on the lookout for:
- Dust buildup around registers or vents
- Stale or musty odors whenever your HVAC system is running
- Increased respiratory irritation or allergies
- Uneven cold/hot spots or indoor airflow
- Nearby construction projects or recent home renovations
If any of these warning signs apply to your property, it could be a good idea to schedule a ductwork inspection appointment to ultimately determine if the cleanliness of your ducts is contributing to your property’s poor air quality.
Don’t Let Dirty Ducts Undermine Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality!
There are all sorts of DIY house cleaning chores that you can try when you notice that something isn’t quite right with your indoor air quality, but most of these efforts won’t make much of a difference if the culprit of your problem lies deep within your property’s ductwork.
Duct cleaning is often the foundation of healthy indoor air, and this is particularly the case in vulnerable areas like Salt Lake City and its surrounding suburbs like Midvale.
So, if it’s been a while since you’ve hired professional ductwork specialists, this summer could be the right time to get the inner workings of your home inspected and cleaned!
Holding a Master’s in Construction Management from Purdue University, William Ray has dedicated more than two decades to studying and applying construction principles. His professional journey includes a tenure with a prominent construction firm, where he specialized in project management and building technologies. William brought his knowledge to our team, providing in-depth insights into practical construction techniques. As the leader of our beginner’s guide to building since 2019, he has a knack for breaking down intricate processes into easily digestible content. When not involved in writing or onsite consultations, William enjoys woodworking and volunteering in community building projects, which aligns with his passion for hands-on construction and community service.
