5 Indicators of Dirty Air Ducts

Maintaining every part of your home can be overwhelming at times. Certain fixes take priority over others and some things can slip your mind altogether. One aspect of home care in particular that many people neglect but is actually very important would be the cleaning of your air ducts. 

Our HVAC technicians recommend that you schedule a duct cleaning every 2 to 3 years to avoid buildup of any debris but they could need to be cleaned sooner depending on your living situation. Ductwork that is dirty or clogged in any way can affect your home’s indoor air quality so if you have experienced, or are currently experiencing, any of the indicators listed below, call us so we can help you.

Excess Dust in Home

Do you ever feel like no matter how much time you spend dusting the inside of your home, you’re never quite finished? Excess dust present on furniture or floors could be a sign your air ducts are in need of a serious clean. 

An easy way to determine if the air ducts are the culprit is to check the supply and return vents around your home. If they appear dirty and or dusty, remove a vent cover and look into the air duct itself. Dust covered metal inside will reveal ductwork that requires cleaning. 

Mold Growth in Furnace or Air Conditioner

Your home’s HVAC system is responsible for everything listed in its name: heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Both your furnace and air conditioner can cause condensation to form within this system and lead to possible mold growth. 

If mold is found in your HVAC system, it is imperative you call us and we’ll send one of our experienced air duct cleaning technicians to perform a deep clean to remove and prevent the existence of mold.  

Recent Construction or Renovation 

Have you recently made a few changes to your home? Construction or renovation of any kind can create a fair amount of dust and debris to accumulate inside your house and even into your ductwork. 

Dust caused by construction is often composed of a variety of particulates that aren’t always the safest to breathe in so it’s best to have your air ducts cleaned following a major project to prevent the onset of any possible respiratory problems.   

Increased Heating and Cooling Costs

Heftier bills coming in do not always mean your air ducts are 100% to blame but they can play a role if you notice an increase in what you’re paying for heating and cooling. If your home’s ductwork is significantly dirty, it can lead to an issue regarding airflow as dust and debris can impede efficient air movement through the HVAC system. 

Obstructed air ducts can also cause your furnace or air conditioner to work harder than it needs to which could be what is driving up your payments. Aside from cleaning the ductwork itself, our technicians will also want to check for leaking ducts and make sure everything is sealed as air leakage can reduce the overall efficiency of your HVAC system.    

Ownership of Shedding Pets 

While the last indicator that you might need your air ducts cleaned is perhaps the cutest one, it’s also the reason there is excess hair or dander in your home at all. Everything that your pets shed off may be making its way into your ductwork and potentially blocking the airflow there.  

Cleaning your air ducts every 2 to 3 years is recommended but if you have multiple pets who shed significantly, you may have to schedule more frequent cleans. 

Let’s Get Cleaning

Are you currently experiencing any of the 5 indicators listed above and think it’s time to schedule duct cleaning? Our trained HVAC duct cleaners in Belding, Greenville, and Livonia, MI, are ready to help. Don’t hesitate to contact Parker-Arntz Plumbing & Heating for your home’s ductwork online or by phone today at (616) 225-9150.