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View Full Version : Home A/C "Duct Cleaning" & Asthma


snowbird22154
06-27-2015, 07:10 AM
Trying desperately to find out what is causing severe Asthma at night after waking up under the ceiling fan. I have tried changing the A/C filter, have gotten a "Mold Kit" to see if there was mold in the A/C ducts causing these severe asthma attacks and now I am thinking of "maybe" having the A/C ducts cleaned out. I also have heard that this is just a scam and that replacing a "GOOD" A/C FILTER would help, which it has not.

Trying to find if anyone else has maybe had this problem as I have even thought about having "UV" light installed in AC but this too seems to be a "scam" and I am running out of options.

The only other option I can think of is replacing my ((clean)) "Berber Carpet) (thru out house) with woods floors as I have bought new vacuum cleaner and had carpets steam cleaned, again with no help but hate to spend all that money on new floors and still not help.

ANY suggestions would be appreciated..... running out of air :shrug:

graciegirl
06-27-2015, 07:32 AM
Trying desperately to find out what is causing severe Asthma at night after waking up under the ceiling fan. I have tried changing the A/C filter, have gotten a "Mold Kit" to see if there was mold in the A/C ducts causing these severe asthma attacks and now I am thinking of "maybe" having the A/C ducts cleaned out. I also have heard that this is just a scam and that replacing a "GOOD" A/C FILTER would help, which it has not.

Trying to find if anyone else has maybe had this problem as I have even thought about having "UV" light installed in AC but this too seems to be a "scam" and I am running out of options.

The only other option I can think of is replacing my ((clean)) "Berber Carpet) (thru out house) with woods floors as I have bought new vacuum cleaner and had carpets steam cleaned, again with no help but hate to spend all that money on new floors and still not help.

ANY suggestions would be appreciated..... running out of air :shrug:




I was reacting very strongly to the new allergens here in Florida, so much that we were worried we made the right choice to move here. We bought an air filter for bedroom at Walmart (around $100) and clean the washable filters frequently. We keep the bedroom door closed and change the bedding frequently and I try to remember to remove clothes full of pollen after being outdoors for a long time and shower to remove pollen from hair.Those things do seem to help.

I would also seek an allergist to have allergy medication and inhalers.


I think, but don't know, that our bodies DO adjust gradually to new pollen irritants, but you can't fool with asthma. I only have clogged head, sneezing and itchy eyes and runny nose. So please see an allergy specialist and follow what he/she says. Hope you feel better. Right now, whatever pollen that irritates me is in full power.

CFrance
06-27-2015, 07:42 AM
Trying desperately to find out what is causing severe Asthma at night after waking up under the ceiling fan. I have tried changing the A/C filter, have gotten a "Mold Kit" to see if there was mold in the A/C ducts causing these severe asthma attacks and now I am thinking of "maybe" having the A/C ducts cleaned out. I also have heard that this is just a scam and that replacing a "GOOD" A/C FILTER would help, which it has not.

Trying to find if anyone else has maybe had this problem as I have even thought about having "UV" light installed in AC but this too seems to be a "scam" and I am running out of options.

The only other option I can think of is replacing my ((clean)) "Berber Carpet) (thru out house) with woods floors as I have bought new vacuum cleaner and had carpets steam cleaned, again with no help but hate to spend all that money on new floors and still not help.

ANY suggestions would be appreciated..... running out of air :shrug:
When we had our condo built in MI, I finally had the ducts clean. It was unbelievable what came out of them. All that new construction, drywall dust, wood shavings, etc...

I think it's worth a try and certainly less expensive than reflooring. Be sure that whoever does it has a machine that they put on each vent; not just a machine that is hooked up only to the furnace.

Good luck; hope you find a solution.

GeoGeo
06-27-2015, 09:22 AM
By any remote chance have you painted your bedroom? My asthma was stirred up because we had a room painted and they used the wrong type of paint.

snowbird22154
06-27-2015, 04:22 PM
Thank you all for your comments as you have convinced for me to at least start out and have the A/C ducts cleaned and yes I will make sure they clean "each" duct instead of going thru A/C vent. Also I have not "painted" and lived in the house for 3+ years and as I stated bought a "good" vacuum and had the (Berber) carpet cleaned to no avail. I will try the "duct cleaning" as a starter and also research as to the "best" filter I can find as my wife cleans "meticulously" only to find our glass chandelier "filthy" a month or two later.
Anyway Thank you all again for your help and comments as I greatly appreciate them. I've already instructed my wife that should I "expire" before my time to find a man with $$ and like me, one foot on a banana peel

Thanks again

pooh
06-27-2015, 04:37 PM
Do you still have problems if the fan is off for the night? Our air filter in the bedroom also has a UV light.

Our ducts were cleaned when a new air conditioner was installed. There was some stuff in the ducts, but not nearly as much as I would have expected.

Has your mattress been vacuumed? Fabric softener different from what was used in the past, if that product is used? Close the bathroom door if is near your bedroom. Any problem if in the bedroom during the day?

CFrance
06-27-2015, 06:08 PM
You almost have to wonder if it was some chemical that the carpet cleaners used.

Yung Dum
06-27-2015, 06:47 PM
After living in our new house for about 3 years, I started sneezing constantly, but only in the house. We installed an Aprilaire filter in our furnace/air conditioning. It cured my sneezing. These houses are extremely dusty. It cost about $400 and you get free duct cleaning with it (at least I did back then). Well worth it.

CFrance
06-27-2015, 06:56 PM
After living in our new house for about 3 years, I started sneezing constantly, but only in the house. We installed an Aprilaire filter in our furnace/air conditioning. It cured my sneezing. These houses are extremely dusty. It cost about $400 and you get free duct cleaning with it (at least I did back then). Well worth it.
Is this possible in the new electric "furnaces"?

Yung Dum
06-27-2015, 08:09 PM
I moved last year. I had to replace the a/c unit. They installed it at that time.

Chatbrat
06-27-2015, 08:33 PM
Carpets can be your problem, IMHO carpets in Fl are a no-no, wood or tile, also dust mites in your bedding can cause problems-

vette
06-28-2015, 05:02 AM
I agree with a previous poster that job # 1 is to connect with your Asthma specialist. If you don't already have one you may need a Nebulizer to alleviate severe attacks. I also suggest you start and keep a log of when you get the attacks, what you were doing and what conditions exist. If the problem only exists at night, or just in the BR, or just with the fan on that can be useful to know and share with your doctor. For some Asthma can come and go and often a change of locale, like a move or a trip can cause flare-ups. Also as previously pointed out a change in chemical exposure can also cause flare-ups. Wash soap, shampoos, detergents, fabric softeners, cleaning supplies, etc. Use your flowmeter, keep a log, and consult your doctor before spending money or making changes that often are not the root cause of the problem.

stevebotts
06-28-2015, 07:44 AM
We moved into our Patio Villa in November. About March I started coughing at night. I don't know if this is your same situation. I do not cough at all during the day. Have tried turning the AC vent away from us, not using a ceiling fan, washing the bedding more often and still coughing at night. I have tried allergy meds too. Can't figure it out. I have never had this problem until March. I will be referred to an ENT specialist in July but still am wondering about the house.

pooh
06-28-2015, 08:49 AM
We moved into our Patio Villa in November. About March I started coughing at night. I don't know if this is your same situation. I do not cough at all during the day. Have tried turning the AC vent away from us, not using a ceiling fan, washing the bedding more often and still coughing at night. I have tried allergy meds too. Can't figure it out. I have never had this problem until March. I will be referred to an ENT specialist in July but still am wondering about the house.

What is blooming outside your bedroom? Mike has a problem in the spring at our house, but only in the bedroom. Planted on that side of the house are numerous bottlebrush bushes. They bloom twice a year, but the spring bloom is amazing....and my lanai and bedroom windows are covered in pollen from that bloom. Not nearly as much when they bloom in the fall. The bushes are in neighbors' yards so in the spring it's allergy meds and room air filters.

ricthemic
06-28-2015, 10:41 AM
Duct cleaning. How is it done in Village (and other Florida) houses when 100% of the supply and return duct work is fragile thin flexible poly ( supply externally fiberglass insulated)?
The duct work is basically non accessible. Therefore any mechanical device inserted to clean the duct could easily cause unknown and unseen damages. If a return duct is cut your air handler will be sucking in hot attic air. If a supply duct is damaged your attic will be recieving conditioned air while comfort levels decrease and utility cost increase.
Up north there is a minimum of flex duct used to connect the diffusers to steel S & R ducts.
Very interested in hearing from a village duct cleaning contractor.

snowbird22154
06-28-2015, 08:54 PM
Well I have tried taking the mattress cover off and washing on hot cycle and using bleach to kill anything. Also have vacuumed mattress and having an "extra clean" bed "just in case" it might be causing the asthma problems. It does seem to be worse when the "overhead fan" in ON and now I'm trying to cut the thermostat down to low 70's to keep fan off.

I have looked this up on the Internet in several places and it say the "excretions" of DUST MITES cause breathing problems and that's why I invested in super duty vacuum cleaner hoping that might help. And as to "chemicals" in the carpet cleaning I kinda doubt but who knows

I'm like you and kinda "leery" of getting the vents cleaned out as some people say it's a waste of $$$ and also am worried that they might "puncture" some of the duct and then I would have a can of worms as I am sure every A/C duct "cleaner" has his tale to tell. Just don't know what else to do without taking this years SS checks and applying them toward laminated flooring.

Have had asthma for 65+ years and the Fed Gove "banned" the Primatine "Inhaler" I have used for the last 20 years because it caused "Ozone pollution" which is BS and now instead of OTC I have to get a prescription for twice as much and one half the dosage and DOESN"T WORK AS WELL!!

Guess my next step is getting some of those "test strips" that will "analyze" air content and make an appointment with asthma Doctor. Seems like my "nest egg" is slowly being evaporated one way or another.

Again I appreciate all the comments. Your a great bunch of people :)

queasy27
06-28-2015, 09:19 PM
snowbird22154, have you tried sleeping in another room to see if there's any improvement? That could help narrow it down.

You can buy a zippered plastic mattress cover that helps protect against breathing in any dust mite droppings, but the plastic can be uncomfortable to sleep on. There are more expensive cotton versions.

Your pillow might also be a contributor. Is there another one around the house you could try for a night -- maybe from the couch?

snowbird22154
06-28-2015, 10:27 PM
Excellent idea(s) as I will try changing bedrooms....AND pillows as I had completely forgotten about the "pillow" :wave:



snowbird22154, have you tried sleeping in another room to see if there's any improvement? That could help narrow it down.

You can buy a zippered plastic mattress cover that helps protect against breathing in any dust mite droppings, but the plastic can be uncomfortable to sleep on. There are more expensive cotton versions.

Your pillow might also be a contributor. Is there another one around the house you could try for a night -- maybe from the couch?