27 Mar Keep your ducts dry
Keep your ducts dry
Moisture can be bad news for your duct system. Condensation and high humidity will allow unwanted biological growth to develop inside ducts. Biological growth may be welcome in other areas, but not in your building’s ducts, where it can come in the form of pollen, dust, bacteria, viruses, mites, and animal dander.
Make sure your system has no leaks – often caused by poor installation. If you find a leak, repair it immediately.
What to look for
The Environmental Protection Agency has a checklist to help you guard against moisture that can lead to mold or other unwanted growth inside the ducts:
- “Pay particular attention to cooling coils, which are designed to remove water from the air and can be a major source of moisture contamination of the system that can lead to mold growth.
- “Make sure the condensate pan drains properly.” Look for debris or sizable bits of standing water that could indicate a larger problem.
- Examine insulation to see if there are wet spots.
- If your ducts are properly sealed and insulated they should prevent moisture
- The heating and cooling system should be insulated to prevent condensation.
For more tips on preventing moisture in air ducts, see https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/should-you-have-air-ducts-your-home-cleaned#how_to_determine.
Dapper Ducts NYC is an authority on duct cleaning, repair and installation.