5 Warning Signs Your Air Ducts Need Cleaning

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Do your air ducts need cleaning? Not sure how to tell if they do? There are some warning signs to let you know that the ventilation system in your home is due for servicing. Some of these signs are more obvious than others. 

Keep reading to learn more about what to watch out for inside your home.

1. Health Issues

Air ducts travel throughout the interior of the walls of your home and are what circulate the cool and warm air into your house. They are also the system that helps circulate and remove contaminants and other toxins from the air you breathe. 

These contaminants are caught in air filters and kept from transferring into your home. The air filters are then replaced or cleaned every few months so they are able to keep working efficiently.

However, these filters are often forgotten about and can sometimes go a lot longer without being replaced or cleaned. The dirt and dust then begin to gather and back up into the air ducts. 

This allows the filters and air ducts to become overly dusty and moldy and can allow the dirt and dust to travel into your home and into the air you breathe. You and your family might then begin to experience various health issues that are related to your cooling and heating system. 

Some of these symptoms are sinus infections, asthma, or respiratory infections. If you or anyone you know are suffering from any of these types of health issues you should schedule a duct cleaning as soon as possible. 

2. Mold Growth

Your HVAC system can develop condensation, especially if you live in a hot or humid climate, which is a leading cause of mold growth in the ductwork. It is difficult to see if you have mold growing in your air ducts. One way to tell is if you can see some mold around the vent covers or if you smell a musty odor. 

Mold in the air, especially black mold, can be very bad for your health. If you believe that you have it in your air ducts you need to schedule a cleaning immediately. Not only will it help you improve your home’s air quality but it will help improve your health. 

Once the ducts have been cleaned to remove existing mold growth you should take steps to prevent it from growing again in the future. If your home has a lot of moisture you should install a whole-home dehumidifier to help draw the moisture out of the air. You can also adjust the settings on your thermostat to keep the house cooler and dryer in order to prevent regrowth. 

3. Dustiness

Another way to tell if your air ducts need cleaning is if you constantly have a presence of dust, no matter how often you are cleaning your home. If you clean frequently and are still left with a layer of dust by the end of the week then your ducts need cleaning. 

Keep an eye on your air vents when your HVAC system turns on for its next cycle. If you notice dust blowing out or dust gathering around the vents then you should remove a vent cover and look inside at the duct. If you see dirt or dust gathered on the metal ring holding the duct or inside the tube itself then it is time for a cleaning. 

A great way to keep your air ducts clean for longer is by replacing the air filter of your HVAC system often. The general rule of thumb is to replace the filters every three months, or more if you have pets or have tobacco smoke in the home. 

4. Pest Infestation

Pests such as rodents or insects like to find new homes that are safe and warm and sometimes this takes shape in the form of your ductwork. These pests will find a point of access from the exterior of your home and then chew their way into your ducts. 

Once they decide to make their nests there, they will leave their droppings which contain harmful bacteria that are now entering the air you breathe. These ducts also travel throughout the interior of your home making it the perfect roadway for these pests to continue to infiltrate the rest of your home. 

If left unnoticed for too long the damage to your HVAC duct system might lead to a total replacement of the system and can eventually lead to structural damage to your home. This can be a very costly issue to contend with. 

5. High Energy Costs

If you have lived in your home for a while you will notice a pattern in the costs of your heating and cooling system. If you start to see the cost of your energy bill rising or a noticeably higher bill for that time of the year, then you might have ductwork that is dirty. 

Dirty ductwork restricts the amount of airflow that can travel through your vents. This inefficiency will keep your home from getting cooler or warmer and the system will run more often trying to get the temperature of your home to match what is set on the thermostat. 

This constant running will make your HVAC system use more energy which is then reflected in your utility bill. You may also notice that the parts of your home further away from the central rooms aren’t as warm or cool as the rest of the house. This is likely because the airflow isn’t able to make it out as far in the ductwork as it should since it is dirty. 

Learn More About When Your Air Ducts Need Cleaning Today

These are some of the most common reasons why your air ducts need cleaning. If you have noticed an increase in health issues amongst your family members it is likely due to the quality of the air they are breathing. 

Your HVAC system might have a buildup of mold or dust that can be harmful to anyone who is breathing it. Make sure you replace air filters often and if you notice any of these issues schedule a cleaning as soon as possible. 

If you would like more tips or information for your household be sure to visit our website daily!

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