Dealing With Dirty Ducts: What Every Homeowner Should Know
Though the central heating and air conditioning unit gets most of the press regarding home temperature control, the air could only get around the house with the air ducts. Like clearly defined highways, they move air around the home like vehicles speeding to their destination. This article will cover the necessity of duct cleaning, what to look for in the case of dirty ducts, and what a household can do to improve its indoor air quality.
Why Ducts Need to Be Cleaned
Since ducts are meant to be hidden away, a homeowner may not often consider them and may not see them as a potential problem, but there are many reasons that air ducts need to have professional cleaning. Escaping entropy is perhaps the most obvious one, but here are a few others to consider:
- Consistent Temperatures: If the ducts are cleaned regularly, the air will flow more freely through the ducts, creating more consistent temperatures throughout the house.
- Energy Efficiency: If the air flows better, this saves work for the HVAC unit, conserving energy and saving money on energy bills, which means maintenance should pay for itself.
- Indoor Air Quality: IAQ describes the amount of particulate matter in the air within an indoor space. If allergens such as dust, mold, mildew, and pollen are in the ducts, they will end up in the air in the house. Air quality is important for the whole household, not just those with allergies or chronic lung issues.
- Prevent or Repair Damage: Duct damage can go unnoticed but can cause efficiency problems and interfere with temperature consistency. If a weak spot is noticed during cleaning, it can be fixed before the problem starts.
Indicators of Dirty Air Ducts
If the ducts in a home are dirty, there are two different kinds of signs: physical symptoms experienced by people in the house; the other is indicators that are coming directly from the ducts. This second group is the one that will be discussed first.
- Banging
- Musty smells
- Other foul odors
- Scratching sounds (may indicate pests)
- Inconsistent air movement within the house
These all indicate that an inspection should be done at the very least. The human symptoms are included in the following list.
- Difficulty breathing
- Flu-like symptoms
- Headache
- Nausea
If people in the house are experiencing these symptoms, it can also indicate a gas leak, which should be dealt with immediately.
Homeowners Can Help Maintain Clean Ducts
One of the easiest ways for a household to maintain their clean ducts after professional services is to clean the house. Keeping up with mopping, dusting, and vacuuming keeps dust out of the air filters and ducts. Speaking of air filters, air filter replacement is also very important to keep up with clean ducts. A homeowner should change the air filters at least every 6 months but can replace air filters as often as every 1-3 months.
About The Duct Busters
The Duct Busters serve Medina, OH and the surrounding areas with 100% satisfaction guaranteed. They offer straightforward pricing and prompt arrival. Call today for clean duct service.
