With summer on the way, your home’s air conditioner is about to turn into high gear! Just like major appliances that need regular maintenance, your home’s cooling system needs maintenance to perform better. Air duct cleaning can help ensure the longevity of your entire HVAC system.
Even with routinely replacing filters, your home’s HVAC system can get dirty with regular daily use, and your air ducts are a hiding place for dust, dirt, and allergens. These contaminants not only harm your indoor air quality but can also cause your system to work harder, which uses more energy. This will increase your energy bills and can significantly shorten the lifespan of your HVAC system. If you are unsure if your air ducts are dirty, here are 5 signs they need cleaning:
1. Mold in the ductwork
Your HVAC system can develop condensation, which leads to the growth of mold in your ductwork. You may notice mold around your vents, but since many components of your system aren’t easily accessible, mold is especially difficult to detect visually in the air ducts. However, mold can present itself in the form of a musty odor and can exacerbate allergies, asthma, and respiratory problems. Mold can also spread quickly throughout your home so it’s important to act quickly by having an air duct cleaning expert remediate any mold.
2. Constant dust
While dusting isn’t a fun chore, it’s something that needs to be done from time to time. If you notice that surfaces in your home are coated with dust almost immediately after you dust, then you probably need to have your ducts cleaned. You may even notice dust coming out of the vents whenever the air kicks on. You can carefully remove vent covers and look in the ductwork. If you see dust and dirt on the metal both inside and outside, your ducts most likely need to be cleaned.
3. Infestation with Insects or Rodents
Insects or rodents like mice and squirrels can find their way into your air ducts, leaving behind all sorts of bacteria. These pests can make nests and leave droppings behind while sending fecal spores sweeping along the ducts. These spores can then make their way into your home by circulating in the air and contaminating the air you breathe. If rodents are in your ductwork, another sign they leave is chewed-up materials or unpleasant smells.
4. Major Renovations
Construction is messy work, even if contractors close off areas and are diligent about cleaning up, dust and debris always seem to find their way in. Unless your HVAC system is completely covered during the entire construction process and not turned on which isn’t realistic, dirt and dust cannot be prevented, and construction dust can contain particles that you don’t want to breathe.
5. Increased Energy Costs
Your home’s heating and cooling costs should relatively be the same from year to year. If you notice a bill that seems higher than usual, dirty air ducts might be to blame.
If ductwork becomes so dirty that air can’t flow freely and efficiently through your home’s HVAC system, it is forced to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. This added energy expenditure means a higher utility bill. If you notice that certain rooms in your home don’t receive the same level of airflow as other rooms do, this inconsistency could be the result of dirty air ducts.
Hire The Professionals at Duct Dudes
Cleaning your home’s air ducts isn’t an easy task and isn’t something you should attempt to do on your own. It’s a complex process that requires specialized equipment and expert knowledge of HVAC systems. Professional air duct cleaners like Duct Dudes, use commercial-grade vacuum systems and powered brushes to thoroughly clean your home’s HVAC system. Call the experts at Duct Dudes to schedule your air duct cleaning today!
