Air ducts need to be inspected and cleaned periodically. But because cleaning doesn’t have to be done frequently, most homeowners forget to do so.
Experts recommend cleaning your air ducts at least once every three to five years. However, some factors may affect the frequency in which you need to have your air ducts cleaned.
For instance, if there are people who smoke in the house, pets that shed a lot, and people with respiratory ailments, you may have to clean your air ducts more frequently. But how can you tell if you need to have your air ducts cleaned now?
Here are the signs you need to get professional duct cleaning services in Concord, New Hampshire or any other area as soon as possible:
1. Visible dirt
The most obvious sign that your air ducts are too dirty is excessive dust and dirt in your HVAC system. To find out if this is the case, open up your vent covers, air registers, air conditioning unit, and furnace compartment to see if there is too much dust inside. A certain amount of dust is considered normal, but if the vents and units are matted with dust, you might want to have your ducts cleaned soon.
2. High energy bills
If your electricity bills have been high for quite some time now, and there are no other plausible reasons to explain it (e.g. increased air conditioner use during the summertime, increased heating during winter, etc.), there may be something wrong with your air duct system. If your air ducts are too dirty, the whole system has to work harder against the dust and dirt for the air to flow through the home.
If you’re not sure what’s the cause behind your rising energy bills, it’s best to have an HVAC professional look into it.
3. Respiratory problems
When anyone in the house starts having respiratory problems or has exacerbated symptoms from asthma or allergies, poor indoor air quality might be the culprit.
Make sure your air ducts, vents, and air filters are clean to prevent the development or worsening of respiratory issues in the household.
4. Signs of pests
If you have a pest problem in the house, they may be living or traveling through your air ducts, leaving droppings and other contaminants in their wake. As a result, these contaminants can cause mild to severe illnesses among household members–not to mention the unpleasant smell that may waft through your vents.
Once you sense any sign that there might be pests in the house, particularly those living in your air ducts, get a professional team to get rid of the problem right away.
5. Poor airflow
Is the airflow different from one room to another? If so, your air ducts might be overdue for a cleaning. Uneven airflow is a sign that there is too much dirt in the ducts that air can’t travel properly. Once you clean your ducts, airflow will be much more consistent for each room.
Leaving your air ducts dirty can lead to much bigger problems for your family and your house. If you notice these signs, it’s highly recommended that you get them cleaned as soon as possible.