black dust coming from air vents

Make sure to periodically clean out your furnace, following the manufacturer instructions in your owner's manual, and change the air filter as directed. Black sooty stains on other walls in the room are much less noticeable; Dirt, Debris, Stains around Heating or Air Conditioning Air Registers. that is around 5 years old, since I have moved in it seems as if the ceiling fans, walls, and ceiling collect a blackish dust … Alternatively, there could be a crack or leak in your ductwork. Pull out the air filter. Mold spores thrive in areas that are dark, warm, damp, and dusty, and your AC ducts usually meet all of these conditions. Call an HVAC services company to clean out the vent and fix the black dust problem. Common Causes of Black Mold in Air Vents. If you use your fireplace, an indoor wood burning stove, or burn candles frequently, your AC system may be sucking some of the soot residues into the ductwork and blowing it back into your vents. Sometimes the dust and debris originates from your ductwork and heating vents. Black dust coming from your air vents can be very concerning, but a trained professional can help you clean up the mess for good. Call 844-962-2681 to connect with a local HVAC technician. We’ll inspect your system, fix what’s needed and have your indoor air quality improved in no time. Or the dust can come within your duct system if the ducts and the vent surfaces weren't cleaned recently. As cool air flows through the vents on hot days, the moisture in the air can condense inside the air vent. Your furnace might simply need a good cleaning if the black dust is in fact just dark dust particulates. Therefore, it stands to reason that seeing black dust from your air vents may cause you some form of anxiety. You’ve probably heard the term “black mold,” but many probably don’t fully understand what it is. Although this dust might look inconsequential is is a severe threat to your well-being and good health. Open the furnace compartment. Dirt and grime are common causes of black dust around air vents and can be a sign that you need to replace your air filter. The first sign you’ll probably notice if you have mold or fungus growing in your air vents is the telltale smell. Black dust around air vents is not a good sign. Black dust coming from your air vents may cause many different health problems, including difficulties with breathing, throat irritation, continuous sneezing, and eye irritation. Condensation forms in the coils and ducts as cool air circulates through the system, creating a habitat for moisture-loving mold. Mold in air ducts most commonly occurs when there is moisture inside the ductwork. This "dust" is likely soot caused by a combustion problem within your furnace. When you turn on your furnace, you expect warm air to start pumping out of your house vents. Unfortunately, finding cheap appliances doesn't always mean you will find good appliances. Installing Central Air in a House Without Ducts, Allergic reactions, such as itchy eyes, scratchy throat, or stuffy nose, Extra moisture in the air, or patches of mold growth in other areas of the home. My guess is that the problem is not dust coming through the ducts but coming in from around the ductwork and pulling dust into your living spaces from the attic. Make sure the electricity and gas, if involved, are turned off before you check the inside of the pipe. For this reason, you should always get a professional heating and air conditioning appliance service company to examine the problem. The black dust which is patchy and not so easy to wipe off can be a sign of black mold growing inside your air vents. Has anyone else had this problem? The monitors can malfunction or your levels could remain low enough, for now, to not set off the monitor but rise in the near future. Check out my blog for information on what to look for, how to shop, and where to get great deals. Black dust surrounding air vents is a bad sign. If you’ve been living in an air conditioned home for a few years there’s a chance that you’ve noticed streaks of dirt around the supply vents in the ceiling. Is the black dust coming from my vents simply dust? When dust gets into the furnace and is blown across the heat exchanger, it can carbonize and turn black. Air conditioner vents can be breeding grounds for black mold. How to remove mold The process can be a real challenge. Deteriorating duct liners produce black particles, which blow from the vents and collect on walls or the ground. The particles are coming out of the air vents and coating the ceilings and walls. If you use your fireplace, an indoor wood burning stove, or burn candles frequently, your AC system may be sucking some of the soot residues into the ductwork and blowing it back into your vents. If excessive dust is coming from your vents, contact the NATE-certified heating and air conditioning experts at Bigham’s Heating & Air Conditioning today. CuriousGuy. 1 decade ago. The first thing to do is to check your AC air filter. Seal the gaps around the ductwork where it vents into the room, and you should notice a big difference in your dust levels. Can this be attributed to burning scented candles or should I be looking for a problem somewhere in the system? You can see the same principle at work when you drink an icy beverage, and water beads up on the outside of the glass. When it comes out of the registers (vents) - especially when it comes through the cracks where the register meets the wall or ceiling surface - it can then stick to and accumulate as a fine black dust. Silver flex. 0 0. If you have had recent work done on your heating and air conditioning system or if you have had renovations or construction in or near your home, you may experience large amounts of dust and possibly some insulation blowing around your home. The dust could come from within the furnace itself, particularly if the air filter needs cleaning. What are the black particles coming from my air vents? The presence of black dust around your furnace or coming out of the vents can indicate one of a few problems that range from minor to potentially fatal. Black dust can actually be composed of a variety of materials, ranging from simple to harmful. The most common causes of black dust build-up are: Dirt and grime are common causes of black dust around air vents and can be a sign that you need to replace your air filter. I have been in our current home less than a year. When air leaves a supply vent, it is coming out at a high velocity due to being squeezed through the louvers of the vent. Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath could all be symptoms you experience if there is decaying vermin or mold in your air vents. There were massive gaps around the boot penetrations in the ceiling of this building that were allowing attic air containing cellulose dust to … This is another case where you may want to first check your air filter. Does accumulated dust appear much darker (almost black) compared to what you're used to? Musty Odors. Only see the black dust in the flue or vent pipe? Black dust coming from your air vents may cause many different health problems, including difficulties with breathing, throat irritation, continuous sneezing, and eye irritation. Is there something I can do about it or do I just have to wait until all the insulation is gone. Specialtyairpurifiers.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. You don't ex, The excess lint that collects in your dryer can be causing the clothes in your dryer to take a lot longer, If your refrigerator or freezer is too warm, it won't be able to preserve food effectively and could cost, It's easy to start taking your washing machine for granted, but you'll quickly change your appreciation o. Makes a real mess! In cases where the black dust surrounding your air vents is mold, you will need your air ducts fully cleaned to eliminate the mold spores and limit future growth. If your dishwasher isn't getting dishes clean, it could be time to repair the upper and lower spray arms. You just need to use a vacuum with a brush attachment to clean the dust up from around the registers. Do you see black dust on both the floor and inside? Need an air conditioning repair right away? Examine the return air registers for dust buildup, particularly if there are thick, fuzzy coatings of dust. Black dust surrounding air vents … Mold in your ductwork is actually very common. This small and inconsequential looking enemy is a threat to your good health and well-being. When you turn on your furnace, you expect warm air to start pumping out of your house vents. If that moisture builds up and never gets a chance to dry out, it can lead to mold growth. If you have a high MERV filter that has been replaced very recently, the next thing to consider is having the ducts thoroughly cleaned and inspected. A professional will be able to take a look at the black dust surrounding your vents and assess what steps will be necessary to clean or repair your ducts. Check around the furnace's flue pipe or vent pipe for signs of the black dust on the ground and lining the walls of the pipe. As a homeowner, you have a lot to keep up with: the appliances, the mechanicals, and of course, your furniture and belongings. This lets more dust settle and build up in the return ductwork. Heat pump system with strips, no gas. It accumulates on the carpets and sills next to the front seats. Excess soot falls out of the system and onto the floor. The American Lung Association warns that poor indoor air quality can contribute to the spread of bacteria, infections, and even lung disease in extreme cases. The higher the MERV, the more particles the filter will catch. House is 10 years old. Call an HVAC service for an emergency evaluation since your unit might have a carbon monoxide leak, which can poison or kill you and your family. My blog is dedicated to helping you to find appliances that you will actually be able to use, abuse, and love for a long time. The home was built in 2003. How to Tell if You Have Mold in Your Air Vents. If you have a gas furnace and start seeing black dust, shut down your unit immediately – including using the shutoff on the gas supply line. Touch the black dust that comes out of the furnace. There are a few clear signs that mold is present, however: If you’re experiencing black dust from your air vents, it’s likely time to schedule a professional cleaning of your AC ductwork. I live in an apt. We seem to have the blackest dust collecting on our filter and around the air vents in our ceilings. This is not harmful like mold or mildew. This usually requires a professional, who will be able to assess any breaks, leaks, or cracks in your ducts, and repair or replace the damaged spots as necessary. If the air filter is clogged with dust, then air flow is being choked off. If you notice black dust around your air vents, this could be a sign of black mold growing within. When it comes to appliances, most people have a tendency to pay more attention to anything else when they shop: price. Follow your nose. For this reason, you should always get a professional heating and air conditioning appliance service company to examine the problem. The black particles are in both plenums. The presence of black dust around your furnace or coming out of the vents can indicate one of a few problems that range from minor to potentially fatal. But here are a few of the potential causes for your own education. If after replacing the air filters with new filters you still notice the air returns are blowing in dust, you should check the ductwork to be sure the ducting has not … Air movement picks up a lot of dust and can deposit it above the vents. If you’ve noticed black stuff coming out of your AC vents, it’s most likely either: Soot from candles or your fireplace (the most likely culprit) Mold spores; Dark dust or dirty insulation; Let’s go into more detail about each of these problems and how you can fix them. The soiling and "stains" around this ceiling supply register for warm air or air conditioned cool air show that the air system is dirty, has inadequate filtration, or is operating unsafely. Make the call even if you have a carbon monoxide monitor. You’ll also want to check the MERV, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, of your filter. If the duct liner is the source of the black dust, it should be replaced right away, as the particles could be dangerous if inhaled. Call in an HVAC or appliance repair company at least once a year to clean out your ducts so that you won't blow out black dust whenever you try to use either the heater or air conditioner. You’ll receive a no-obligation quote along with your diagnosis. Does the dust have a greasy feel when you try to smear the material? But what is that black dust that has accumulated around your air vent, and what can you do about it? As for eliminating them, replace your air filters regularly. Setting your AC on a very low temperature can sometimes lead to mold around the vents.When the cool air from the vents meets the warm air in the room, the temperature difference can cause moisture in the air to condense on surfaces in and around the vents. The filter should be replaced (or cleaned, if you have a washable electrostatic filter) every 60-90 days. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Black mold has a distinctive unpleasant, musty smell. Black particles falling from the air vents in my apartment (Photo attached) Property maintenance guy thinks it's dust and he can't do anything. You don't expect the air to come with black dust. The black dust may be patchy and difficult to wipe off. Learn how your comment data is processed. White insulation. The Real Reason for Dirt Streaking Around Vents Posted on AC Maintenance, AC Tips, The Cooler Blog January 28, 2015. Alternatively, there could be a crack or leak in your ductwork. Black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum, is a greenish-black mold that grows on materials such as fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, lint, and dust “when there is moisture from water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, water infiltration, or flooding.” This is possibly the cause. As an income property owner, I have purchased several different appliances over the years, and I can tell you first hand that not all brands are created equal. Your combustion system likely has a problem that is allowing your blower fan to pull smoke and soot from the burner assembly around the unit's filter and straight into your living spaces. We have always burned candles in our other homes, but have never seen any thing like this. Mold formation can indicate problems with air conditioning system. If there is black mold growing in your air vents, you may notice a musty aroma when you run your AC. It isn’t always easy to tell exactly what the black dust is made up of; in fact, it might be a combination of all three possible elements. A technician can tell you if the problem is the duct liner. Black Dust Around Air Vents. How Can I Tell If the Black Dust from Air Vents is Mold? 3 Potential Reasons Your Furnace Has Started Blowing Out Black Dust, 3 Possible Causes Of A Refrigerator That's Too Warm, Prolong The Life Of Your Washing Machine With These Tips. If you suspect black or other molds might be growing in your HVAC systems, take the following steps to be certain before calling in a professional vent cleaner. ’ ll also want to first check your air vents in our current less... T fully understand what it is that comes out of your house vents indicate problems with air system... Own education notice a big difference in your air vents foam insulation is gone potential causes for your education. Vents on hot days, the moisture in the coils and ducts cool! 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