It’s easy to forget about air ducts. Since they are inside your walls and out of sight, they are frequently overlooked. However, air duct cleaning is critical to maintaining a working HVAC system. Dirty air ducts can make your heating and cooling system less efficient. If your air ducts stay dirty too long, they could wear your HVAC system out and break it
But even worse, dirty air ducts can endanger your health and wellbeing. Keep reading for 12 signs that your air duct needs cleaning.
1. Dusty Grills
The “grill” is your window into an air duct from the wall. Your HVAC system will blow cool or hot air through these vents and into the rooms of your house.
Dust on your grill is a telltale sign that the duct’s interior needs cleaning. This is because dust is being blown through the inside of the duct and getting caught in the grill.
Seeing a little dust on the grill isn’t a cause to worry about, but it is a good idea to wipe down the grill. A dusty grill is a reminder to schedule a routine cleaning for your air ducts.
2. Mold
Mold or mildew is a sure sign that it is time for an AC cleaning. It’s common for condensation to build up in your HVAC system. This can manifest as mold growing near the grill of the air duct.
But it can also result in mold starting to grow in different parts of the house. If you have a moldy air duct, your HVAC system blows those spores all over your house. If you’re having trouble keeping mold away inside your home, you should call an HVAC technician to help clean your air ducts.
Call someone immediately if you think you may have mold growing in your air ducts. Mold spores in the air can cause serious health problems.
3. Allergies Are Worse Than Usual
Have you noticed that your allergies are worse than usual? This could be because you have dirty air ducts. Your HVAC system blows hot or cold air through the house and carries unclean particles.
You could be ingesting dust, mold, or other particles that are causing your allergies to worsen. If you think you are experiencing an allergic reaction to something, be sure to check the air ducts. They may be the culprit.
Cleaning your air ducts should be your first solution. For additional help, consider investing in an air purifier to help with indoor pollution.
4. High Energy Bill
A high energy bill may indicate that you need to clean your air ducts. When air ducts get dirty, your HVAC system must work harder. This means that it takes more energy than usual to perform its task.
Extra observant people may notice their HVAC system start up more frequently than usual. But most of us don’t see the effects of a dirty air duct until faced with the energy bill. If it seems higher than it should be, you should have your air ducts cleaned as soon as possible.
Of course, don’t forget to check with your energy company to ensure their rates don’t go up. Learn how you can save money on your energy bill.
5. Poor Respiratory Health
Do you feel like you always have a cold? Do you have a cough that won’t go away? This can directly indicate that you need to clean your air ducts.
As was mentioned before, your HVAC system will blow air into your house. That air will carry anything it picks up in your air ducts. This can include mold, dust, and other harmful particles.
Call an HVAC technician before the effects on your health become severe. A cough or cold may not seem like a big deal, but being constantly sick can do long-term damage to your body. Additionally, exposure to harmful air particles can exacerbate and worsen pre-existing health conditions.
6. Poor Air Flow
HVAC systems don’t just heat or cool your home. They also provide air circulation. Keeping the air moving and preventing stale air is essential to your HVAC’s function.
But when you have dirty air ducts, you may notice that you aren’t getting the same quality of airflow that you are used to. This is because accumulated grime in your air duct blocks the air from getting through.
Check out the grills on your air ducts. Wipe them down to get rid of excess grime. And then, call an expert to help you clean the inside of the air ducts.
7. Insect Infestation
You will know if you have an insect infestation in your house. Insect infestations are both pervasive and annoying. But what you may not know is where the infestation is coming from.
If you have an infestation, it’s time to clean your air ducts. Chances are, at least part of the infestation occurs within your walls. Call an expert right away.
And remember that even though insects are small, they can significantly damage your house. The sooner you deal with them, the better.
8. Rat Infestation
What’s worse than an insect infestation? A rodent infestation.
Like insects, rodents like to crawl around your walls and cupboards. If you have a mouse or rat infestation, cleaning out your air ducts is a good idea.
And if you have recently resolved an infestation, cleaning your air ducts is still recommended. If a rodent dies within your air duct, it can cause bad smells and other problems.
9. HVAC Takes Longer Than It Used to
A good HVAC system can cool your house quickly in the summer and heat it just as rapidly in the winter. But if you notice your HVAC taking longer and longer, it may mean you have dirty air ducts.
This is because there is so much dust or grime in the air duct that your HVAC must work extra hard to do its job. You’ll notice the HVAC taking longer and starting up more frequently. And as we mentioned earlier, all of this extra energy will appear in your monthly bills.
10. Musty Smells
If you notice that you can’t rid your house of a musty smell, it could be due to dirty air ducts. Next time your HVAC system starts up, pay attention to whether the smell gets stronger.
Musty smells can be caused by dust being burned by the heat of the HVAC. If you’ve allowed dust or grime to build up in your air ducts, you may smell it as it burns. This is a clear signal to clean your air ducts immediately.
Clean your air ducts, and then follow these steps to renew the presence of good smells in your home.
11. Perpetually Dirty Home
Do dust and dirt seem to settle on surfaces around your home no matter what you do? Of course, some dust build-up is natural. But if you are experiencing a constant layer of dustiness in your home, it is time to clean your air ducts.
Your HVAC system will blow whatever is in your air ducts into your home. Instead of constantly scrubbing the surfaces of your house, have a professional clean your air ducts and solve the problem once and for all.
12. If It Has Been a While
The last indicator you may need to clean your air ducts is whether it has been a while. Committing to routine HVAC maintenance for your HVAC and air ducts is the best way to prevent any issues from occurring. An experienced technician will keep your air ducts in excellent condition, protecting you, your family, and your home.
For best results, have a professional check out your HVAC and air ducts every 3-5 years. If you call someone before there is an issue, you can minimize the number of problems that arise.
Always Prioritize Air Duct Cleaning
Air duct cleaning should be a part of everyone’s routine maintenance regimen. Keeping your air ducts clean will keep your energy expenses low and your home in good condition. Maintaining clean air ducts is an excellent way to protect your family and keep them healthy.