What Are The Signs That My Air Ducts Need To Be Cleaned?

No matter the time of year or the weather, coming home to a clean and comfortable home is the best feeling. So if you’re diligently cleaning but still having to deal with foul odors and excessive dustiness, your home’s dirty air ducts could be the culprit! Despite all your best efforts, you could be compromising your family’s indoor air quality, health and wellness. But what are the symptoms of dirty air ducts? And does cleaning air ducts really make a difference? We’re going to get into all of it.

What Are The Symptoms Of Dirty Air Ducts?

There are countless signs to look for that can quickly clue you in to the fact that your home is in need of a good air duct cleaning. Here are a few we always recommend keeping an eye out for:

Visible Dust Around Air Vents

If you’re regularly cleaning your home, you’re naturally cutting down on the amount of dust that’s cycling through your HVAC system. So if, when you investigate the area in and around your air vents, you’re seeing a build up of dust, you know that there’s likely an internal duct issue that needs to be addressed via a thorough cleaning.

Poor Or Compromised Airflow

There are many possible reasons for poor airflow in your home, and one could be that internal buildup within the ductwork has led to a restricted opening through which the air can pass. This would then force more air to certain areas of the home, and less to others. If you’re experiencing uneven airflow and shifting temperatures throughout your home, get in touch with Clean Air America. We can make sure that clogged ducts aren’t at the heart of the problem. And if they are, we’re ready to handle it.

Dusty Home

You’re a clean person, and you have your well-established daily, weekly, monthly and annual cleaning routines. So when you’re doing what you always do, but you’re seeing far more dust buildup between cleanings and nothing else in the home has changed, dirty air ducts could be the culprit. Accumulated dust could simply be cycling and recycling through your home’s ductwork. A thorough air duct cleaning will get the situation under control.

Constantly Clogged Air Filters

Experts vary with their opinions on how frequently you should be changing your HVAC system’s air filters, and that’s probably because there are so many variables at play. The brand of your furnace and type of air filter, the age of your home, whether you have pets, how many people live in your home and other factors will determine precisely how often filters need to be replaced. That said, a visual inspection may land you at once every two or three months. However, if you find yourself needing to replace air filters bi-weekly, monthly, or on a far more frequent basis than in years past, and you’re still seeing dust build up, then clogged ducts are probably to blame.

Musty or Foul Odors

Homeowners know that musty and foul odors in the home can come from a whole array of sources. But if you’ve already checked the fridge, the garbage, the laundry, pet bedding, bathroom plumbing and basement and you still can’t figure it out, it’s time to closely inspect your home’s HVAC ductwork. Accumulated dust, dirt and debris can burn when heated, but it can also hold onto moisture when cooled, and you can end up with mold and mildew. Flowing air then circulates those foul odors through your home, making it hard to pinpoint the source. If the smell increases when the HVAC system is running, that’s a surefire sign that it’s time for a thorough air duct cleaning.

Visible Mildew Or Mold

Mold thrives in dark, moist environments and is spread on the wind by spores. This is true both indoors and outdoors. If there is a buildup of dirt and grime inside your home’s HVAC system and it is trapping moisture, mold and mildew could easily grow there. The spores can then spread throughout the home and take hold in other areas where moisture is commonly present. Mold and mildew aren’t simply aesthetic concerns–they can be toxic and very harmful to respiratory health and overall wellness. If you are seeing any mold around air vents or throughout your home, you need a professional to inspect the situation.

Rodents Or Insects

We’ve already talked about foul odors in the home that are hard to figure out, and here is another potential cause: rodents and/or insects. Even the most pristine home can harbor these pests. Especially during seasonal shifts, these clever creatures are looking for a safe and dry place to live. If they make their way into your home, and happen to find your ductwork, this could be the ideal place for them to settle down. Keep an eye out for droppings, odd scurrying or gnawing sounds, and out-of-place marks around air vents. Not only can these pests bring in germs and dirt, if they were to get lodged or stuck within the HVAC system, this could be nasty, yes, but could also lead to the damage of key components in your heating and cooling equipment. A professional inspection and dryer vent cleaning could be in order.

High Energy Bills

You know what monthly energy bills to expect, and even with seasonal swings in heating and cooling usage, there’s generally a pattern to the price. So if, all of a sudden, you’re noticing steadily increasing bills, paired with other symptoms of dirty air ducts mentioned above, it could be that the equipment is forcing air through smaller and smaller channels, causing the motor to work harder and eating up more energy. That’s a solid clue that air duct cleaning is in order.

Worsening Indoor Allergies And Respiratory Issues

Outdoor allergies are getting worse for many reasons, but what about indoor allergies? If you’re noticing more allergic and respiratory issues when you spend time in your home, it could be the culmination of several other byproducts of clogged air ducts. Dust mites, mold, mildew, and pet dander could be aggravating your symptoms as conditioned air picks up these allergens and circulates them throughout the home. If filters can’t keep up and symptoms aren’t improving, it’s time to get to the source of the issue and look into air duct cleaning.

Other Reasons To Consider Air Duct Cleaning

Beyond the array of symptoms listed above, there are other common reasons to look into air duct cleaning. If you are a new resident in your home, and especially if the home is older and you don’t have access to installation and maintenance records for the HVAC system, a thorough air duct cleaning is a way to start homeownership with a clean slate, before things get too far out of hand. 

 

Another reason that homeowners opt for air duct cleaning in Cleveland is following a new build or a major repair. Construction stirs up and causes excessive dust, dirt, and particulate debris, and these move throughout the home in the air. Even if you try hard to isolate an area, it’s inevitable that dust will spread throughout the home. Air duct cleaning removes any built up grime and removes irritating dust and potential contaminants from the duct system, preventing them from recirculating throughout your home.

 

If you’ve lived in your home for several years now and you’ve never had the air ducts cleaned, that’s another reason to schedule an appointment. Give us a call today and get your free estimate!

How Often Do You Really Need To Clean Your Ducts?

So you’re noticing some symptoms of dirty air ducts, but you’re wondering ‘How do I know if my air ducts need to be cleaned?’ The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends that air ducts be cleaned every 3 to 5 years. Of course, if you’re noticing signs that there is buildup, now is the time to investigate, as countless factors could cause this estimate to skew one way or the other in your case. 

Geographic location, pets, the number of people living in the home, the age of the home and the HVAC equipment and other variables will mean that air vent cleaning is necessary more or less often. A professional air duct cleaning company can help you to decide if it’s necessary now, or later. If you experience respiratory issues or allergies, more frequent air duct cleaning is always recommended. 

Does cleaning air ducts really make a difference? What happens if you don’t clean your air ducts? Eventually, even under ideal conditions, everything needs cleaning and maintenance. However, most of us aren’t working within those ideal conditions. Ignoring potentially clogged air ducts could lead to more serious issues that could threaten the lifespan and durability of your home’s HVAC system. The side effects–odors, allergens, mold, and increased energy use–can negatively impact your and your family’s health, wellbeing, and budget. And should a total breakdown occur, it’s far more costly and inconvenient to replace a broken HVAC system than to do routine maintenance.

Clean Air America Is Your Source For Air Duct Cleaning In Cleveland

Your family’s health and comfort are top priorities, but preventing unnecessary expense and headaches is also really important. A professional air duct cleaning helps to address all of these concerns, ensuring that your home’s ductwork is free and clear of potential allergens, debris, and pests. Ductwork shouldn’t be something you think about every day–it’s just there in the background, doing its job. But when something feels off or goes wrong, you know who to call! Get in touch with the Clean Air America team for advice and to schedule an appointment for your next air vent cleaning.