Signs Of Dirty Air Ducts
When was the last time you had your home’s or building’s air ducts cleaned? Several years ago? Or perhaps the air ducts have never been cleaned as far as you know? If that’s the case, your air ducts are probably showing signs of how filthy they are and are in desperate need of professional attention.
All central air duct systems accumulate dust, chemical residue, allergens, volatile organic compound residues, and even pests over time. And if your ductwork has quite a bit of buildup, chances are it’s diminishing your indoor air quality and may even be making you sick.
But how can you tell if your air ducts are actually dirty? Read on for five of the most common signs of dirty air ducts that indicate the need for prompt air duct cleaning.
1. Your Air Filters Get Dirty Super Fast
Do your HVAC filters get filthy and clogged within a few weeks of being changed? That’s a solid sign your ductwork contains tons of buildup and needs a thorough cleaning.
Generally, HVAC filters should be changed at 30- to 90-day intervals and shouldn’t get significantly dirty before they’re in place for at least a month. If you have to change your filter(s) before the four-week mark, chances are your dirty air ducts are negatively impacting your A/C and furnace efficiency, too. Air duct cleaning can help fix that.
2. There’s Dust and Debris Coming Out of Vent Openings
If your air ducts are so dirty that chunks of debris and dust bunnies are hanging out your vent openings, it’s time to schedule professional duct cleaning. The same idea applies even if you have vent fans and can see a layer of dust accumulating on the blades.
If you don’t have your ducts cleaned, every time your HVAC system kicks on, the vent opening and/or fan will push particulate matter into the air inside your home or building. And if you’re in the building, you’ll end up breathing in those particles, which can cause allergy symptoms or even make you downright sick.
3. Weird Indoor Odors
If you’ve been dealing with unpleasant indoor odors and can’t seem to get rid of them no matter what you try, dirty ductwork could be the culprit. When your air ducts contain a lot of debris, that debris can absorb and hang onto odor particles that circulate through your HVAC system. And when that happens, those odors will come out of your vents each time your furnace or air conditioner kicks on.
Professional duct cleaning will remove all of the odor-containing buildup from within your home’s or building’s air ducts and can make a huge difference in the way your interior spaces smell. That’s especially true if you’ve noticed a musty, mold- or mildew-like odor coming from your vents.
If there’s even a small amount of moisture inside your air ducts, it can encourage mold growth, and that growth can get out of control rapidly. Only professional cleaning and sanitization of your ducts will eliminate those growths and get rid of the unpleasant odor they emit.
4. Uneven Airflow and Reduced HVAC Efficiency
Do some of the rooms in your home or building stay comfortable while others are warmer or cooler than they should be? If so, the issue may be caused by an excessive amount of buildup inside your air ducts.
When there’s a lot of dust or other debris inside your ducts, it can impede normal airflow through the system over time. And as that happens, it can negatively affect indoor temperature maintenance and even reduce the efficiency of your furnace or air conditioning system.
5. Everything Looks Dusty All the Time
If you dust regularly and vacuum daily and you still notice dust building up on hard surfaces within a day or two, chances are your ducts are causing the problem.
Each time your HVAC system turns on, it forces air through the duct system, and as that air circulates through the ducts, it’ll carry dust particles, hair, and other particulates with it. Since there’s no filter on distribution vents, the particulate matter sitting inside the ducts will flow directly into your living areas along with the cool or warm air and eventually settle where you can see it.
Showing Signs of Dirty Air Ducts?
If it’s been a while since your ducts were last cleaned or you’re unsure if they’ve ever been thoroughly cleaned, get in touch with our team at Zeppelin Cleaning Services. For nearly 15 years, we’ve proudly served residential and commercial clients throughout St. Clair Shores, MI, and the surrounding areas and specialize in comprehensive duct cleaning and janitorial services.
To get a quote or learn more about what our air duct cleaning service entails, call us today at 313-731-6459 or contact us online, and we’ll reach out with additional information.