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22.10.2024
Brooke Kirshne
Breathing clean air is important for maintaining good health and overall well-being. Whenever we think about the air quality, we always think about the outdoor air, not the indoor air. In reality, indoor air is more important than outdoor air since we stay at home most of the time, so breathing clean air is important. Although the HVAC system helps to improve the air quality, if you do not properly maintain your HVAC system, that is one of the reasons for improper air quality in the house.
An air duct is a component of your HVAC system that facilitates the distribution of heated or cooled air throughout your house. The air ducts are responsible for maintaining the air temperature. Since it controls the temperature, proper maintenance of these air ducts is very important. These air ducts play an important role in spreading the air into your entire house, so if their air ducts are maintained properly, then your house can avoid poor air quality. So here is a blog through which you can know about the different signs that your air duct needs cleaning.
10 Signs Your Air Duct Needs Cleaning
If you find that there is not as much improved air as your HVAC system should give, then there can be a need to get your air ducts cleaned. There are 10 signs through which you can know that your air duct needs cleaning.
1. Dust And Debris Getting Collected
If you have not frequently cleaned your air duct, then you will see that dust and debris have started coming out of the air vents as you turn on your HVAC system. This impure air from your air ducts is the major sign that it needs to be cleaned. Dust can very easily get collected on your air duct, and you won't even know when this happens until the dust and debris come out of the supply vents. This issue can be easily resolved if you regularly check and follow proper maintenance of them. As regular maintenance will help you easily avoid dust collection and give a high-quality air.
2. Clogged Air Filter
Having a blocked or clogged air filter is another reason to clean your air duct. If there is a clogged air filter, then there are huge chance that your air filters can't effectively clean the air that has dirt, dust, and other airborne particles. As a result, these particles may collect in your air ducts and cause health issues for you and your family. Inadequate maintenance might allow dust to enter the ducting and cause accumulation of dust. Additionally, it is meant to prevent dust from passing throughout the house via the ducting. If you find that there is a need to change your filters more often then this indicates that your air ducts require serious cleaning.
3. Growth Of Mold Or Mildew
Your ducts are hidden under your ceiling and behind your walls, making it challenging to figure out what is happening inside of them at all times. The registers should be inspected to look for any damp areas. These areas might be an ideal environment for mold to grow. If you see mold or mildew, it might be a sign of a more serious problem that requires thorough duct cleaning services. To avoid mold and mildew you should The procedure of cleaning them out, sanitizing, and removing odors needs to be done completely to ensure that the issue does not occur again, therefore you should not try to hire a professional for this purpose. More you should get your air duct cleaned at least twice a year to make sure the duct is clean.
4. Unpleasant Smell
You will find that there is a pleasant smell at your home once you enter it which gives you a warm and welcoming touch. In case this smell turns out to be an unpleasant and musty smell coming from your vents then there is indicated the growth of mold, mildew, or decomposing material inside the duct system. This happens more in humid areas since moisture gets collected in air ducts which can provide the ideal circumstances for the formation of mold. While the HVAC system is running, these unpleasant odors could enter your house. By cleaning out the odor-causing impurities from the air ducts, you can make sure that the air in your house is clean and fresh.
5. Increase In Energy Bill
In case there is a sudden increase in your energy bills then one of the major reasons for this can be your HVAC system. This increase indicates that your HVAC system has to work harder than the usual ones since your air duct is dirty or clogged. Your system must work harder to maintain the proper temperature when dust, dirt, and debris obstruct airflow in the ducts, which results in greater energy usage. In addition to increasing your energy costs, this additional workload strains the system, increasing the possibility of failures and expensive repairs. Duct cleaning increases airflow and efficiency, which lowers energy use and ultimately saves you money.
6. Poor Airflow In The House
Every room with a register should have the same pressure of air that comes out of the ducts. In case you find that the air moving out of one room is less or almost absent than in another, it might be because of a clog that has formed in your ductwork. An accumulation of dust and debris may be the cause of this blockage. This may happen as a result of the air ducts not being cleaned in a very long period. This impacts not just how effectively your HVAC system works but also the comfort level of your house. Since it might take a room longer to heat up or cool down, or it could never get to the right temperature. Cleaning the ducts restores proper airflow, ensuring your system runs efficiently and your home remains comfortable.
7. Unusual Sounds
If you find that there is some strange sound coming from your air ducts, such as whistling, banging, or rattling, it indicates that there are loose parts, dirt, or blockages in the system. These odd noises might be caused by blockages or accumulations of dust inside the ducts that disrupt regular airflow. There have been cases where pests or small animals have entered into the ducts, adding to the noise. These noises are not only annoying, but they may also be an indication that something is wrong with your HVAC system. By cleaning the ducts, you can remove the noise, ensure even airflow, and make sure your system runs effectively and silently.
Read More: Why is My Air Filter Whistling?
8. Increased In Allergies
There are a lot of pollutants such as dust, insects, mites, pet dander, mold spores, pollen, and other pollutants that are found in dirty air ducts. As your HVAC system functions, it makes it easy for these allergens to enter the air and circulate. These allergens in your air ducts may be the cause of more frequent allergy symptoms to you and your family members, such as coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, or even trouble breathing. Additionally, asthma and other respiratory disorders can be made worse by dirty ducts. Removing these irritating substances from the air ducts leads to a healthier living space with fewer allergens and cleaner air.
9. Recent Renovations
Dust, dirt, and debris are frequently produced during home renovations or even where there is construction going on around your house. These dust particles may enter your home through your air ducts, and they may gather and eventually spread throughout your house. Your air ducts may become clogged with sawdust, drywall pieces, and other building waste, which will lower the quality and circulation of the air. Cleaning your ducts after a major task after a home renovation, as at this time you will be able to clean any type of dust or dirt that may have entered the building, and it will make sure your HVAC system is functioning properly.
10. No Record Of Previous Duct Cleaning
If you do not remember the last time you got your ducts cleaned, then you should definitely clean your air ducts. Not cleaning the air duct means that the homeowners have gained a good amount of knowledge about heating and cooling systems, which has allowed them to get their dirty air ducts. But now is the time to hire a professional for air duct cleaning services since you do not know when the last servicing was done or you don’t have any documentation of the last previous cleaning of the duct. In such cases, cleaning your air duct is very important so that you can have fresh and clean air to breathe.
How Often Should An Air Duct Be Cleaned?
Although air ducts do not require frequent cleaning like the other parts of the HVAC system, taking care of the air ducts from time to time is necessary, and cleaning of the air ducts is also required. As per the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), a homeowner should clean the air ducts every 3 to 5 years. However, a number of factors affect the time period in which you should change your air ducts, such as the kind of ductwork, the size of your HVAC system, how easily accessible the system and ducts are, and the degree of pollution spread. So a homeowner should consider all these factors and take any action accordingly.
Conclusion
In order to keep your house healthy and your HVAC system operating well, you must keep your air ducts clean. By identifying the 10 warning signs which include increased dust in the home, unusual odors, increased allergies, uneven airflow, and more you can take care of problems before they worsen. Cleaning your air ducts on a regular basis will help your system function better and improve the quality of the air you breathe, both of which can ultimately save you money. Take action now to maintain clean air ducts and a pleasant home throughout the year rather than waiting for problems to become worse.
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