Dust is fine particulate matter made up of dirt, organic material, pollen, human and animal skin cells, lint, textile fibers, mold spores, cigarette smoke, and anything else that can break down over time.<\/p>\n
In addition to being a nuisance to clean, dust can be a problem if you suffer from respiratory issues or allergies. Dust can also cause problems for mechanical components in the home that rely on airflow for cooling or ventilation.<\/p>\n
For example, your refrigerator is equipped with a cooling fan and condenser that can become clogged with dust, making both the refrigerator and your central air conditioning system less efficient.<\/p>\n
Any fabric or porous material in your home can trap dust, including bedding, curtains, carpets, and furniture. Often, during cleaning, dust becomes airborne again and settles elsewhere in the house.<\/p>\n
Using a high-quality vacuum cleaner with HEPA filtration (High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter) is a good first step in helping to minimize this issue.<\/p>\n
True HEPA filters remove 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. However, the term \u201cHEPA\u201d is often misused in air filtration and is commonly applied to any filter considered highly efficient.<\/p>\n
Ensuring that your windows and doors have tight seals is important to prevent dust from entering your home and to improve overall energy efficiency. Your central air conditioning system can be an effective solution for controlling dust when it is properly configured.<\/p>\n
Dust-related issues with an air conditioning system often begin with poorly sealed ductwork. Return plenums and ducts (which draw air into the home\u2019s air conditioner) that are damaged or improperly sealed can pull in attic insulation, hot air, or airborne particles and distribute them throughout the house.<\/p>\n
When the AC system turns on, it acts like a giant vacuum, drawing in dust and debris and redistributing them throughout the home. Depending on where the ducts are leaking, the return airflow may never pass through the air filter.<\/p>\n
Damaged ducts on the supply side of the air conditioning system can have the same effect. Do you notice dirt or dust marks on the ceiling around your air supply vents?<\/p>\n
This may be caused by poorly sealed ductwork, but it is usually dust being pulled from the living space. If the supply grille is removed, you will see a metal boot above the ceiling line to which the duct is attached.<\/p>\n
If there is a gap between the metal edge of the boot and the ceiling, seal it with caulking. Reinstall the supply grille and seal the edge of the grille with caulk that matches the ceiling color. This should stop dirt streaks and dust buildup.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
What is dust? Dust is fine particulate matter made up of dirt, organic material, pollen, human and animal skin cells, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8923,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8973","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-non-classifiee"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n