It's heating up outside, and if it hasn't already, your air conditioner is about to click into high gear! Just like your car or any major appliance, your home's cooling system will perform better with regular maintenance, and air duct cleaning is just one of the services to consider to ensure the longevity of your entire HVAC system.
Despite routinely replacing filters, your home's HVAC system gets dirty with regular everyday use, and unfortunately, your air ducts are a favourite hiding place for dust, dirt, and allergens to linger. That dust and dirt is filled with contaminants and air pollutants that can not only harm your indoor air quality, but can also cause your system to work harder. This not only increases your energy bills, but it can also significantly shorten the lifespan of your system.
Your heating and cooling system can develop condensation, leading to the growth of mould in your ductwork (especially if you live in a humid climate). You may spot mould around your vent covers, but unfortunately, many components of your heating and cooling system aren't easily accessible, so mould in your air ducts is especially difficult to detect visually. However, while mould can be difficult to see, it usually presents itself in the form of a musty odour.
If you do have mould in your air ducts, it's important to take action quickly to preserve your home's indoor air quality. An air duct cleaning technician will be able to identify and remediate any mould issues, and also help to prevent its return. In addition to duct cleaning, you should also take additional precautions against excess moisture in your home.
Even the cleanest homes can have dirt, dust, pet dander, and all sorts of harmful contaminants lingering in the air ducts. You may even notice dust coming out of the vents every time the HVAC system kicks on! Take a look at the air supply and return vents around your house. Are they visibly dirty or dusty? If so, carefully remove a vent cover and/or filter and take a look into the ductwork.
To prevent future dust build up, make sure you replace your HVAC system air filters frequently. You can also run an air purifier. Both filters and air purifiers work with your HVAC system to trap a variety of airborne particles like dust, tobacco smoke, and bacteria before they enter the ductwork.
From time to time, mice, squirrels, and insects can make their way into your air ducts. Naturally, these vermin leave behind all sorts of bacteria. When rodents find their way into your ductwork, they make nests and leave droppings behind, sending tiny faecal spores sweeping along the ducts. These spores can then make their way into your home and contaminate the quality of the air you breathe.
Unfortunately, rodents like to take up residence in ductwork, and will chew their way in, or find some sort of unsealed access. Once they move in, your home's duct work becomes a personal highway for rodents, as they make their way all around your home. If rodents are in your ductwork, they will leave some tell-tale signs — not only will you see droppings, you may find chewed up materials or unpleasant smells, all of which indicate an infestation.
Keep in mind that a rodent infestation might require more than air duct cleaning! If you ignore the issue, it could lead to serious structural damage, not to mention an HVAC system that doesn't work efficiently, leading to higher energy bills.
Construction is messy. Even when contractors are diligent about cleaning up and closing off work areas to keep the rest of the site tidy, dust and debris will always find its way in. Unless the HVAC system is not turned on and kept completely covered during the entire construction process (which isn't realistic for most homeowners), that dirt and dust will most certainly make its way into your ductwork.
At times, ductwork can become so dirty that air isn't able to flow freely and efficiently through your home's HVAC system. When this happens, both your furnace and air conditioner are forced to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. This added energy expenditure means higher utility bills for you and your family.
You also may notice that a bathroom, bedroom, or other room in your home doesn't receive the same level of airflow as other rooms. In most cases, vents that are fully open should deliver relatively consistent airflow from room to room. Inconsistency could be the result of dirty air ducts.
Worth noting, it isn't always the accumulation of debris in your air ducts that causes your system to have to work harder. Any leaks you have in your ductwork is lost energy, decreasing the efficiency and increasing your energy bill. Hiring an air duct technician to clean your ducts won't only remove harmful contaminants, but can also rule out potential leaks.