Although the usual suspects such as dirt and debris do affect the air quality in your Charlottesville, Virginia, home, you may not realize that bugs and rodents can, too. If pests infest your attic, get trapped in your air filters, or crawl into your ducts, your family’s health is at risk.
If your air filters are doing their job, then a lot of the pollutants will be caught in the filter instead of circulating throughout your home. However, you don’t want your air filters to get too clogged with debris because all those pollutants in the filter will end up back in your home. Make sure you change your air filters regularly. A regular maintenance plan ensures your seem is free of pollutants, but you should also check your filters between maintenance calls.
Insects and rodents can find their way into your ducts if your vents aren’t secure or your ducts aren’t sealed properly. In the winter, an animal might try to crawl into your ducts to keep warm. Sometimes the animals can’t find their way out. If they die within your ductwork, this will eventually cause an unfavorable smell that can affect your entire home. Your technician will inspect your ducts during the maintenance visit, and make sure your ducts are properly sealed, to keep pollutants and pesky animals out.
Animals may also try to seek warmth in the outdoor unit. They can cause damage by gnawing on wiring or from getting stuck between the parts. Dirt or debris from these animals or their activities affects the system and your air quality.
Whether inside or outside, if an animal is caught in your system it is best to call a professional for help. A trained professional from a pest control company can remove the animal, which can attack simply out of fear. You also want to be protected in case these animals have any diseases.
A professional HVAC contractor can ensure there is no damage to delicate components like the fins in the outdoor unit. If you have concerns about your air quality, call the experts at W.E. Brown today at (434) 295-1177 to have your air quality tested.
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