10 Signs That Your Air Ducts Need Cleaning

The indoor air quality of your home is everything, considering how much time we spend in it. No matter how clean we keep our home, there may still be the presence of mold spores, pollen, dust mite allergen and even insect droppings throughout your duct system. These microscopic allergens can cause discomfort to allergy sufferers and even people who don’t suffer from allergies. 

The question remains, “How can you tell when it’s time to clean your air ducts?” At Atlanta Air Pro, we get this question all of the time. For that reason, we came up with 10 tell-tale signs that your home is ready for an Atlanta air duct cleaning service. One that is conducted by certified HVAC specialists such as Atlanta Air Pro. Let’s break it down:

house duct cleaning

1. Musty Odors Emanating From Your Air Ducts

A musty odor is one of the most common complaints from homeowners, and it’s often caused by a buildup of mold or mildew in the ducts. This can happen when there’s moisture in the ductwork that isn’t being properly ventilated out of your house.

The smell may also come from dust that has accumulated in the ducts over time, or even animal fur and skin cells!

2. Your Home is Always Dusty, Even Only Days After Cleaning

Dust and dirt can be a real pain. But it can also be a useful indicator of a problem in your home.

If you find dust and dirt in your home even after cleaning, it’s probably because the air is being circulated more than usual. The most likely culprit is the HVAC system, which may be malfunctioning or simply not working as intended.

Dust is actually just tiny particles of dirt, hair, and skin that have been gathered into a fine collection by the wind. When these particles get onto your furniture and other surfaces in your home, they can be very hard to get off.

3. Your Energy Bill Costs Have Increased Over Time

Are you noticing higher heating and cooling costs than usual? If so, it might be time for a maintenance check of your home’s systems.

Regardless of the season, your heating and cooling bills should be predictable every year. If you notice your bills are on the rise compared to some months before, your home systems could be to blame. In situations where the ductwork is blocked so that air cannot flow with ease from the heating and cooling system, the furnace and air conditioner will have to use more energy to maintain the set temperatures at the thermostat.

In most cases, this can be easily resolved by having a professional clean out your ducts. A thorough cleaning will remove any debris that may have built up over time, which may be restricting airflow through your vents. This can reduce your energy use by as much as 30%.

4. Infestations of Pests Such as Insects, Rodents and Other Vermin in Your Air Ducts

Infestations of pests such as insects, rodents and other vermin are a sign that you should clean your ducts. Why is air duct cleaning necessary after pest infestation? Well, this is done to prevent the spread of allergens and other disease-causing microbes. Vermin dander, insect droppings, bacteria, and viruses can cause serious health problems.

The reason why you need to clean your air ducts after an infestation is because pests are known to leave behind a lot of debris in their wake. This debris can easily find its way into your HVAC system and cause costly damage. This can also lead to a poor indoor air quality which can make it difficult for you to breathe properly.

5. You Have No Idea as to When the Last Time Your Air Ducts Were Cleaned

If you have an old home that you can’t remember the last time it was cleaned, it’s time to have your air ducts inspected and cleaned.

Even if your system doesn’t show any signs of needing cleaning, it’s likely accumulated dust over the period of its use. A thorough inspection and cleaning can keep your system running smoothly.

6. You Just Had Major Construction Conducted in Your Home

Your home was just built or has undergone a major repair, which means the construction activities have been going on for weeks—and probably left a lot of dust, dirt and debris behind. Unless the HVAC systems are off or completely covered during the renovations, be sure that dirt and dust will have been sucked up into the ductwork. Therefore, you should consider cleaning your air ducts after any renovations.

7. Poor Air Flow in Your Home

Have you ever noticed that there’s a difference in the airflow from one room to the next? Maybe it’s not as strong in your bathroom, or maybe it’s not as smooth in your kitchen. If that’s the case, then you have an issue with your air ducts.

Air ducts are what make your house feel comfortable. They’re responsible for controlling and distributing air throughout your home, and they can get dirty over time. If you notice that the airflow in your house is inconsistent, it’s a sign that your ductwork might need cleaning.

8. You Notice Mold or Mildew Outside of Your HVAC System

If you see mold or mildew in your HVAC ducts, it’s time to take action!

Mold and mildew can be harmful to your health, but they’re even more dangerous when they get inside your HVAC system. If they grow in your AC vent covers and units, they can cause allergies, respiratory conditions, and other issues that are hard to deal with on a daily basis. That’s why it’s important to have them cleaned out as soon as possible!

Even if you don’t see any signs of mold inside your system, it’s still a good idea to invest in a home dehumidifier. It’ll help keep the area around the AC unit dry enough for mold not to grow.

9. Your Air Filters Clog Up Too Quickly

If you have to swap out your air filters frequently, this could be an indication of a deeper problem. It’s important to keep your filters clean, but they shouldn’t be getting clogged after a few days of replacing them. If they do so, this is a sign that you need to check on the air ducts.

If your filters are getting clogged, it could mean that there’s a problem with the air ducts in your home or office. These are necessary for distributing air evenly throughout the building, so if they’re blocked in any way it can cause problems like overheating or undercooling, which can make it hard to get comfortable while you’re at work or home relaxing with friends and family members.

10. Unusual Sounds Coming in From the Ductwork

Your HVAC system’s ductwork should be a quiet space. If you hear any unusual sounds coming from your ducts, your system may be experiencing some problems.

If you’ve lived in your home for a few years, you definitely know how the HVAC system sounds when operational: it’s usually just a low hum from the motor, with occasional bumps and clicks as the blower kicks on. If you hear anything more than that general motor sound, your ducts could be experiencing some problems.

In Conclusion

If you suspect that your air ducts need cleaning but aren’t sure where to start or how much it will cost, we recommend you give Atlanta Air Pro a call and get a free estimate today. 

 

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