Your air ducts are one of the most important systems in your home, and if the ducts are poorly sealed or insulated they are likely contributing to unwanted airborne allergens, pathogens, dust, or even mold or mildew that will affect your health.

Your home’s duct system is a connected network of tubes in the walls, floors, and ceilings; it carries the air from your home’s furnace and central air conditioner to each room. Ducts are made of sheet metal, fiberglass, or other materials.

Ducts that leak conditioned air into un-conditioned spaces can add hundreds of dollars a year to your heating and cooling bills; however, you can reduce that loss by sealing and insulating your ducts. Insulating ducts in unconditioned spaces is usually very cost-effective. Correcting the setup & function of a poorly designed duct system can be life-altering in terms of health impact & comfort, especially if the occupants have sensitivities or breathing concerns; fine-tuning a duct & HVAC system is an investment for health & comfort.

Mold and Mildew

Many people experience mold growing in their home and are completely unaware of it. Mold can grow in your A/C ducts and is more likely to happen over the summer due to increased A/C usage and higher humidity levels. This can cause not only increased utility bills but health problems as well.

In winter, no A/C means, no dehumidification; in a humid climate, there is always moisture which can lead to mold problems if not inspected and monitored regularly. Ask us about a simple & inexpensive weather gadget (hygrometer) to help you & your family avoid mold-related health issues.

Running the A/C is a nominal way to reduce humidity; some systems only do about 20% moisture removal & 80% cooling, if you’re not running the Air conditioning… “NO moisture removal” ( I.E. NO humidity control).

The only effective way you can reduce humidity in the indoor environment is to have a dedicated system and to make sure that you have control of the “Gaps, Cracks, & Holes” in your ductwork & building envelope. There are times during the year that we experts call “the shoulder season”; the time when there is plenty of humidity but it’s not warm enough to run the A/C system. This is when it’s cool, clammy, and even wet enough to sustain mold growth.

Before you fire up your heating system for the first time this season, it’s crucial to have your home’s air ducts professionally cleaned. During the summer months, mold, dust, and debris can accumulate inside your air ducts and vents while your air conditioning is in use. Once you shut off the A/C and things begin to dry out, these particles become more likely to get airborne. When you turn the heat on, warm air blows through the ducts, stirring up all those allergens and pushing them into your living space. This creates a perfect storm for allergic reactions, triggering symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes as the indoor air quality takes a sudden nosedive.

Without a thorough duct cleaning, these particles can circulate throughout your home, reducing air quality and potentially exacerbating allergies and respiratory issues. Cleaning your air ducts before turning on the heat helps eliminate this buildup, ensuring that your heating system works efficiently and the air in your home remains as clean as possible, so you can breathe easier all winter long.

One of the most effective ways to reduce allergy symptoms indoors is by regularly changing your air filter. Your HVAC system’s air filter is designed to trap airborne particles like dust, pet dander, and pollen, preventing them from circulating through your home. However, when the filter becomes clogged, it can no longer capture these allergens efficiently, allowing them to build up in your indoor air. This not only worsens allergy symptoms but also puts unnecessary strain on your HVAC system.

To truly survive allergy season, it's recommended to replace your air filter every 30 to 90 days, depending on your household needs. Homes with pets or allergy sufferers may benefit from more frequent changes. By doing this, you help maintain clean, healthy air inside your home and ensure that your HVAC system operates efficiently. For added protection, consider upgrading to a high-efficiency filter that captures smaller particles, providing an extra layer of defense against allergens. Staying on top of this simple maintenance task can make a huge difference in your comfort and health during allergy season.

LOW LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE CAN HAVE SERIOUS HEALTH EFFECTS.

Did you know there is a distinct difference between a CO alarm & a low-level CO Monitor?

YOU WANT A LOW LEVEL MONITOR to know if CO is affecting you at levels below that detected by a less expensive alarm; LOW LEVEL CO Exposure is the most common IAQ misdiagnosis in our country today; often called fatigue, flu symptoms, or general malaise.

Make sure you are aware of how to avoid Carbon Monoxide (CO) in your home. Any fuel-burning appliance that is malfunctioning or improperly installed or not inspected and maintained can be a source of CO. These can include a gas range/stove, furnaces, gas clothes dryers, water heaters, gas or wood fireplaces, wood-burning stove and auto exhaust from an attached garage.

20 parts per million (PPM) exposure can have serious health effects; many alarms will not alert you until you are exposed to 70PPM for over an hour!!! By then it is too late, you will already be affected by carbon monoxide.

Commonly misdiagnosed, Initial symptoms are similar to the flu with no fever. Dizziness, fatigue/weakness, throbbing headache, nausea, vomiting, irregular breathing, sleepiness, and confusion can all be possible symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure.

The Biggest Allergy Trigger We See!

When the coil is dry & the heater finally kicks on, it usually sends a lot of people over the edge when it comes to Allergies & Asthma. All that buildup of microbial debris from the long summer months will just become “friable” or crumbly and release through the duct system when the heat cooks it off.

Before turning on the heat for the first time have your home’s air ducts cleaned. Mold, dust, debris, and other allergens collect in vents during the summer months and will be blown into your home as soon as the heat is turned on. Once you turn off the A/C things start to dry out & become more likely to get airborne; adding heat to this scenario just sets you up for a big allergic reaction on the first heater cycle. Do you remember that awful burning smell the last time the furnace first kicked on? That smell is “the burning of some pretty unhealthy stuff” and it’s all blowing right into your home.

In order to do this, you need to use the strong UV rays of the sun! Gulf Coast Air Care uses a light fixture that shines with the same intense UVC light the sun uses directly on the wet coil so that nothing can grow!

Don’t miss out on the most effective mold control product on the market to date for your A/C system. “I have these in my home & if there were something better, I would be telling you all about it.”

– Todd St.Ores, owner of Gulf Coast Air Care

Limit your time outdoors during peak pollen time. This is usually between 10 am – 4 pm according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Leave jackets and shoes at the door to keep from bringing pollen inside. Shower at night and wash your hair to eliminate pollen that’s collected during the day on your skin and hair. If you have pets that go outside, keep them off the furniture and bathe them frequently to wash off pollen and minimize dander.