Everyone knows that good insulation can prevent many undesirable things including heat or cold from infiltrating your home, but how many people think about the unwanted health risks that old insulation brings to your home? Depending on the type of insulation you have at home, your health may be affected already, and your insulation may be too old to be effective. At Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating, our team has been working with residents and business owners throughout the Dallas / Fort Worth, TX area for decades, and we understand how important it is to have effective, well-maintained insulation in your home or office.
Your home is full of cables, wires, and pipes of all kinds that support the smooth functioning of various utilities and devices. Ducts are one of the most important elements of air circulation but are often ignored or hardly ever noticed in every household. They ensure that air flows through your HVAC system to your home and works to ensure allergens and other unwanted residues are removed from the air.
At the same time, ducts and insulation systems that are not properly maintained can and will cause problems. They are inefficient, increase your electricity bill, and generally make your indoor areas an uncomfortable place. Even worse, aging insulation can actually harm your health!
Recognizing The Signs Of Aged Insulation
Some examples of old insulation are loose-fill or batt fiberglass insulation which was popular in the past. Batt fiberglass, for example, can be recognized by color and can be available in pink, yellow or white. While fiberglass insulation is still used today, older insulation tends to discolor or tear, making it far less effective. Another older type of insulation is loose-fill Rockwool, which can be easily identified by its gray and woolly appearance. Some other examples of old insulation are sawdust, balsa wood, cut newspaper, and loose pulp.
Increased Dust In The Air
Dust in the house is a wide combination of everything that is carried around your house – feathers, ash from cigarettes, soil, pollen, insect particles, pollution, and even human skin. When insulation starts to age, it can crumble apart into particles that could be disturbed and start to circulate as dust in the air. This problem can cause sneezing, worsen allergies, and make breathing difficult. Ductwork that is not sealed properly can carry dust from the attic or under your home directly to your home.
Increased Risk Of Mold Growth
Fungi and mold can be found basically anywhere that moisture can persistently gather over a period of time. If your insulation is aging, then the chances are high that it isn’t doing its job as well as in the past, and the possibility of condensation and mold growth occurring becomes very real. As long as moisture can gather in the area that is poorly insulated, things such as wood rot and even airborne mold can grow and circulate. While that alone is cause for concern, it can get even worse because of your HVAC system. Because your ducts consist of a network that passes throughout your home, these particles have easy access to almost every corner of your home. Inhaling some mold spores can cause respiratory problems that often mimic seasonal allergies, including headaches, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. Frequent contamination can cause illness and respiratory problems throughout the year.
Contact Ellis Air Conditioning And Heating In Dallas, Texas For Support
If you’re concerned about the air quality in your home, or you’ve noticed an increased level of particles circulating through the air, then it’s a good time to reach out to a team of experienced HVAC specialists. With decades of knowledge and a respected reputation throughout the DFW Metroplex, our team is always ready to work with you to find the best ways to solve your HVAC concerns.