Is It Time To Clean Your Air Ducts?
As a general rule, you should clean your air ducts every 3 – 5 years, with more frequent cleanings based on the state and environment of your home. Dust, allergens, and even disease accumulate in your air ducts over time, making your house hard to clean and putting your health at risk as you breathe in these contaminants.
Just because your air ducts are out of sight doesn’t mean they should be out of mind, too! You don’t need to look inside your ducts to know if they need to be cleaned. Our expert contractors at Seabreeze Heating & Air Conditioning have prepared the following guide to help you decide if it is time to have your air conditioning ducts cleaned.
Home Renovation
Construction is messy! It is always a good idea to schedule a duct cleaning service following any major home renovation or remodeling projects. Dust, sawdust, and other byproducts don’t just collect on your floors; they float through the air, getting trapped in your vents and eventually settling inside your air ducts. This debris, if allowed to accumulate, can hinder the efficiency of your air conditioning unit, eventually leading to premature air conditioning repair and maintenance costs.
To prevent your HVAC system from becoming inefficient or damaged, Seabreeze Heating & Air Conditioning recommends utilizing our professional air conditioning services to clean your air ducts after any major home renovation projects.
Visible Mold Or Dust
If there is visible mold on your air conditioning vent covers or filters, there is probably mold inside your air ducts as well. This can have severely negative effects on your health; prolonged mold exposure can cause persistent coughing, sneezing, runny noses, lethargy, and even low-grade fevers! Dust travelling through the air near your air vent is also a clear sign that your ducts are in need of a good cleaning. Dusty air ducts can irritate allergies in some people, making it even more vital that dusty ducts are cleaned regularly.
If you suspect that there is mold or excess dust inside your air ducts, you should contact a duct cleaning specialist immediately. Cleaning out your air ducts will remove dust and mold from your home, providing you with the peace of mind you deserve.
Abnormally High Energy Bill
An abnormally high energy bill can also be a sign that it is time to have your air ducts cleaned. If your ducts are dirty enough, their ability to circulate, heat, and cool your air may be obstructed, causing it to work overtime. If left unchecked, an overly dirty duct can damage your HVAC unit, and AC repairs will be needed.
Pets In The Home
If there are pets living in your home, you will need to have your air ducts cleaned more frequently. Pet dander and fur can quickly build up throughout your residential HVAC system, resulting in a persistent pet odor throughout your house.
Our Palm Coast HVAC company recommends placing air purification systems throughout your home to reduce the need for recurrent duct cleaning services. In multi-pet households, installing an in-duct air purifier is a good way to reduce fur or dirt buildup in your air conditioning system without burdening your home with multiple, bulky air purifiers.
If you are struggling with high energy bills, mold, dust, or strange odors coming from your ducts, call our Palm Coast A/C company today! Our HVAC professionals are happy to take a look at your air conditioning unit and let you know if they think it is time for you to receive a duct cleaning service.