Dust

Diagnosis:

Dust comes from several sources and is difficult to eliminate completely. Increased dust could be a sign that it is time to change a dirty furnace or air conditioner filter or vacuum cleaner bag. Activities that produce dust (such as sanding) can also be a source an increase. Dust can also be introduced into your home through air leaks in ducts, or air infiltration through leaky doors and windows.

Prescription Checklist:

• Change or clean your furnace and air conditioner filters once a month or according to the filter manufacturer’s instructions. Temporarily seal the filter in place with metal-back duct tape. Write the date on the tape with a marker so your know when it was last changed.
   
• Your clothes dryer should be vented directly to the outside. Inspect the vent duct. Make sure it is attached securely to the dryer. Check that it is clear of obstructions (e.g. lint). Check for holes that leak air. If vent duct is damaged replace it with a metal duct. The vent duct should be cleaned at least once a year. The Consumer Products Safety Commission additional safety tips for dryer vents.
   
• Consider leaving your shoes at the door so you don’t track outside debris-often the largest source of dust -into your house.
   
• Sealing air leaks (Home Sealing) can help to reduce air infiltration that could be a source of dust.
   
• Sealing duct air leaks, especially the return duct, can help prevent dust from being circulated throughout your house.
   
• If you are concerned that dust is coming from your ducts please refer to Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? (an EPA publication) for information about duct cleaning.

You should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if:

There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system.There are several important points to understand concerning mold detection in heating and cooling systems:

• Many sections of your heating and cooling system may not be accessible for a visible inspection, so ask the service provider to show you any mold they say exists.
   
• You should be aware that although a substance may look like mold, a positive determination of whether it is mold or not can be made only by an expert and may require laboratory analysis for final confirmation. For about $50, some microbiology laboratories can tell you whether a sample sent to them on a clear strip of sticky household tape is mold or simply a substance that resembles it.
   
• If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy it cannot be effectively cleaned and should be removed and replaced.
   
• If the conditions causing the mold growth in the first place are not corrected, mold growth will recur.

Ducts are infested with vermin, e.g. (rodents or insects).

Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.