Many people know how crucial cleaning the air ducts is to ensure a clean and healthy environment, whether at home or in the office. When speaking about a medical facility, the stakes are more important. It is an absolute priority in a healthcare setting for various reasons. This article will discuss Duct Cleaning and the benefits of air Duct Cleanliness in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Continue reading to learn more!
What is Duct Cleaning?
The majority of homeowners in the United States have central air conditioning for cooling and heating. Dust, debris, and other airborne particles travel through your ductwork continuously. Although your filter can stop certain particles from moving through the air, these filters are only effective to a certain extent.
In time, dust, dirt, and other harmful substances, such as mold, can begin to form and build up inside your ductwork. This can not only result in the air you breathe being unhealthy, but it could also cause blockages within the evaporator and blower wheel coils and impede the airflow.
Air ducts and HVAC systems can accumulate dust, hair, dirt, pollen, and other pollutants, no matter the type of building. This is especially true in hospitals and medical facilities. In addition to linen sheets to airborne illnesses, HVAC and air ducts must be maintained regularly. Read the full article to learn more about the many advantages of air duct cleaning.
The Importance of Clean Air Ducts
Allergens, bacteria, and dust accumulate in the HVAC system. They do more than sit there and circulate through airflow. When the air conditioner or furnace starts, the air is pushed through dirty ducts and circulates throughout the facility. This is a particular issue for those with a weak immune system. Dirty air ducts could increase the risk of respiratory or sinus issues. Clean and high-quality air is essential for all medical and hospital facilities.
It’s vital since your comfort and health are crucial. Dust can get in your ductwork via vents or holes in the furnace. You may have recently undertaken the task of home renovation. Drywall dust is known for spreading everywhere, including your ductwork.
According to the EPA, indoor air pollution can be up to five times more than outdoor pollution levels. In some instances, they can be as high as 100 times that of outdoor levels. If you or someone else in your home suffers from allergies or breathing issues, they might not be aware that the air they breathe may contribute to the discomfort they experience. Cleaning your ducts for air usually requires the use of specific equipment specifically designed to eliminate dust, dirt, and other debris from the ductwork.
Aside from cleaner and healthier air, cleanings can help improve airflow and remove smells and odors associated with cooking, pets, and mold. It can also help your HVAC equipment last longer since it won’t have to work as hard due to a dirty air system constricting airflow. Click here for more information.
Air Duct Cleaning Benefits: Healthcare Facilities, Hospitals, Medical Offices
Cleanliness is a major priority for any health facility. This is a place where the focus is on keeping those who go there as healthy as they can in the end. Air ducts are a place that can be overlooked, however. Below are some benefits of cleaning your air ducts.
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Air Quality
By cleaning the air ducts, the air quality should be dramatically improved. This can be of vital importance when people with immunodeficiencies receive treatment.
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Contaminants
There are a variety of germs that are discovered in dirty air ducts. This could cause havoc in environments where the primary goal is to heal people. Cleaning air ducts can eliminate these toxins and provide a healthier environment for the nurses, doctors, and patients in the facility.
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Cleanliness
If the air ducts eliminate dust, dirt, and other debris, it improves the cleanliness of the structure. There will be less dust that will immediately accumulate on surfaces once they have been cleaned.
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Odor
Unclean ducts may be a source of unpleasant smells. Once the ducts have been cleaned, they are cleaned off and won’t be a problem any longer. The smell may originate from mold, bacteria, and other elements discovered in the dirty air ducts.
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Airflow
Everyone would like to prolong the lifespan of the HVAC unit as long as they can. This is especially applicable to any healthcare facility. When airflow isn’t constrained by air ducts full of debris and dirt, the HVAC system will operate more effectively and last longer. This reduces the wear and tear on the various components in your HVAC system.
Dirty ductwork can cause healthcare-associated infections.
Hospitals are the main sites for the spread of MRSA and other microorganisms. Dust, dirt, and other debris accumulate everywhere and are simple to clean off on the floors and walls since it is usually visible; however, these contaminants go unnoticed in hospitals’ ductwork.
Leaving ductwork uncleaned is likely to contribute to developing and spreading healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). Covid-19 has brought attention to the importance of maintaining and cleaning ventilation systems. However, there’s always been a need for it. For example, the flu and common cold can spread through unclean ventilation systems.
Cleaning the filters regularly, even though it’s a good thing, is not enough since filters cannot hinder the growth of bacteria. It is essential to do this along with regular cleaning of the ductwork to maximize the chance of reducing the growth rate of bacteria and the consequent reduction of the associated diseases.
The reason is that, in heating and air conditioning systems, the humidity and temperature levels, in conjunction with the materials that encourage the growth of microorganisms, are a risky mix. If the ducts are not cleaned, they are a prime breeding source for MRSA and Clostridium difficile.
While in the past, hospitals have paid great focus on preventing the spread of infection and viruses through disinfection, the importance of regular cleaning of ductwork has only been a top priority in the last few years.
