12 Signs You Need to Clean Your Air Ducts - An Expert's Guide

Mold or mildew are a sure sign that it's time to clean the air conditioner. It's common for condensation to accumulate in the HVAC system, which can manifest as the formation of mold near the air duct grid. But it can also cause mold to start growing in different parts of the house. If you have a moldy air duct, your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system spreads those spores throughout your home.

If you're having trouble keeping mold out of the interior of your home, you should call an HVAC technician to help you clean your air ducts. Call someone right away if you think mold may be growing in your air ducts. Mold spores in the air can cause serious health problems. You could be ingesting dust, mold, or other particles that are making your allergies worse.

If you think you're experiencing an allergic reaction to something, be sure to check your air ducts. As mentioned earlier, your HVAC system will inject air into your home. That air will carry everything it collects in its air ducts. This can include mold, dust, and other harmful particles.

For best results, have a professional check your air conditioning system and air ducts every 3 to 5 years. If you call someone before a problem arises, you can minimize the number of problems that may arise. Inspect the bottom of the ducts and make sure there is no dust or other debris. If you notice any, it means that the cleaning work was not done thoroughly. First, the staff performing the cleaning must check the ducts, evaluate the amount of accumulation present in them, and confirm the difference after cleaning.

Air duct technicians usually drill a hole in the ducts near the oven and seal it when they complete the cleaning process. Most people go to an air duct cleaning company, as it is difficult to see the inside of these ducts, and without specialized knowledge and equipment, it is difficult to clean them properly. Instead of constantly scrubbing the surfaces in your house, ask a professional to clean the air ducts and solve the problem once and for all. These are separate sides and cleaning professionals must perform the duct cleaning process on both sides. The contractor can then use a special vacuum to clean ducts to remove dirt and dust from the ducts. A professional air duct cleaner will clean all other components of the air conditioning system, not just the ducts, including the drain pan, evaporator coil, and air conditioner fan motor.

Before cleaning, the duct cleaning contractor can use special cameras to identify the full extent of the build-up. The supply side contains ducts that send air to several rooms in the hose, while the return side has ducts that return air to the air handler. But if there is a constant layer of dust in your house, it's time to clean the air ducts. Just by looking at the duct cleaning process, you can identify if the cleaning company did a thorough job or not. Cleaning the air ducts in your air conditioning system can help ensure that the air you breathe is clean, fresh, and comfortable. If you're wondering whether or not your HVAC system needs some attention from an expert technician, here are 12 signs that indicate it's time for an inspection:

  • Unstable or poor airflow in your home
  • Mold or mildew presence inside or outside your HVAC system
  • Infestation of insects, rodents and other vermin in air ducts
  • Dust accumulation on surfaces
  • High energy bills
  • Strange odors coming from vents
  • Excessive noise coming from vents
  • Uneven cooling or heating throughout rooms
  • Frequent cycling on/off of HVAC system
  • Excessive dust accumulation on surfaces
  • Excessive humidity levels inside home
  • Unusual sounds coming from HVAC system
Dirty air ducts can cause all sorts of problems for homeowners - from high energy bills to poor indoor air quality - so it's important to keep them clean and well-maintained.

If you notice any of these signs in your home, it's time to call an expert technician for an inspection.

Michele Elbe
Michele Elbe

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