The air inside of your home is very important for your health and well-being. Since we spend a great deal of time indoors, it’s imperative that we take steps to improve our indoor air quality. There are several contaminants that can plague our indoor air, including pollen from the outdoors, pet dander, dust, mold spores, and volatile organic compounds. Let’s look at the importance of having your air ducts cleaned to help you breathe better.
The Importance of Air Duct Cleaning
Air ducts are part of your HVAC system and are used to deliver warm or cool air to the different rooms in your home. Ducts can become dirty from a buildup of contaminants, which leads to these particulates circulating through your indoor air. Not only is this bad for your indoor air quality, but it can lead to heating and cooling equipment damage and strain as well.
On average, you should have your air ducts cleaned once every three to five years. If you or someone in your household suffers from allergies, you may want to consider more frequent cleanings. Work with an experienced duct cleaning professional in your area who can provide effective ductwork assistance and spot any issues with your ducts that may require repair.
Signs You Need an Air Duct Cleaning
A visual inspection completed by an air duct professional will alert you to a high prevalence of particulate matter in your ducts. There are some other things you can watch out for as a homeowner.
Dirty Surfaces
Does it seem like the surfaces throughout your home are becoming dirty much faster than normal? This may mean you need to have your ducts cleaned to remove the particles that are in there. You may also need to change your furnace filter, which should take place once every 30 to 90 days depending on the type of filter you’re using.
Clogged Filters
If your filters are clogging up more frequently than they should be and require changing more often than is recommended, your ducts may be to blame.
Bad Odors
If you walk into your home and notice that it doesn’t smell very fresh or clean, you may be experiencing poor indoor air quality caused by dirty air ducts. If mold spores are present in your ducts, this can cause a moldy or musty smell.
Increase in Symptoms
If you’re experiencing an increase in sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, or other allergy symptoms, you may need to have your air ducts cleaned. Even if you don’t have allergies or a respiratory condition, having your air ducts cleaned will help you breathe easier and reduce your symptoms.
In addition to particulate matter accumulating in your ductwork from general airflow through your system, there may be gaps or cracks in your ducts that are allowing particulates to enter your HVAC system. Repairs should be made to close off these areas.
Make sure that you work closely with a reputable air duct cleaning professional to have your ducts cleaned. You should also keep up with annual inspections and maintenance for your heating and cooling equipment. This will ensure that you have a comfortable, healthy, and safe home throughout the year.