12 Dec Signs That Your Air Ducts Need Cleaning
Air conditioning and heating can make the difference between a comfortable home or building an unbearable one. You should keep your HVAC passages in good condition so they do not lose efficiency or cause breathing problems. Here are some signs that your air ducts need cleaning.
Dusty Grills
The more easily noticeable indicator of dirty ducts is having visible dust on the grills of your vents. If dust is collecting there, it is probably because there is a lot of dust in the ductwork and it is blowing outward through the vent openings. Look around and see if there are unnatural amounts of dust around these openings. If there are, this is further evidence that too much dust is sitting in your air ducts.
Mold in the HVAC System
Since the air conditioner cools down the temperature, condensation can occur within the HVAC system, especially when there is a difference in temperature between it and the surrounding warmer air. In humid climates, moisture is pervasive everywhere and will get into the ducts as well. Both these conditions can create an environment that is conducive to mold growth in your HVAC system.
Knowing this, you should check if there is any mold around the vent openings. In routine maintenance, HVAC professionals may also find mold inside the ducts. Ask to see the problem area, and once a professional confirms it, get the mold cleaned out as soon as possible. Leaving it there can aggravate allergies and negatively affect respiratory health.
Rising Heating and Cooling Costs
Another telltale sign that you need to get your ducts cleaned is a noticeable increase in your heating and cooling bills. Specifically, you see an increase even though you aren’t using the HVAC system more than usual. First, check your utility rates to figure out if the climb is due to a rise in cost from the electric or gas companies. If you don’t find the problem there, dust and debris may be clogging your air ducts. As such, the air conditioner and heater are working in overdrive to compensate for the diminished airflow.
Another possibility is your ducts have small leaking areas where the air blows into unneeded areas such as the attic or basement. Compromised ducts will also force your air conditioner and heater to work harder since less cooled or heated air will get to the correct places and change the temperature.
If any of these signs seem familiar to you, call Duct Squads today for expert duct cleaning in OKC. We specialize in cleaning dryers and ducts, and our attention to detail means you can rest assured that we will get the job done right.