Key Reasons to Schedule Professional Duct Cleaning
How Poor Air Quality Affects Your Home
Beyond the adverse effects of poor air quality on your health, there are a number of other reasons why you should consider a duct cleaning. If you’ve never had a duct cleaning done, chances are your vents are blocked to some extent, or extensively. Blockage can cause strain on your furnace or AC and force it to work harder to circulate air. This extra energy consumption can make quite the difference on your monthly heating and air conditioning bills. A well-functioning HVAC unit will ensure optimal operation and keep your energy bills lower. Another crucial reason to consider a duct cleaning is that clogged vents pose a fire hazard risk. For your home and family’s safety and well-being, it is best to schedule an appointment with an HVAC professional if you are experiencing poor air quality.
Signs that it’s Time for a Professional Duct Cleaning
Your body needs clean air to thrive. HVAC maintenance is a vital part of caring for the health and wellness of everyone in your home. Clean ducts can reduce the chances of illness caused by poor air quality.
Some signs that it may be time for a duct cleaning include:
- Damp clothing – While cleaning your dryer lint trap after use is important and will prevent fire hazards to an extent, lint can still build up in your dryer hose and vent. If you find that your clothes are still damp after a drying cycle, it could be a sign that your vent is clogged. This poses a significant fire hazard and should not be left uncorrected.
- Cold-like symptoms – Coughing, sneezing, headaches, and congestion may look like cold symptoms. Instead, they may be a sign of poor air quality. Air pollution can cause the same symptoms as a common cold, although this is not widely known.
- Substantial Build Up – If you live in a multi-person household, have pets, or smoke indoors, your home may be prone to more substantial build up. These are all factors that can cause air quality to diminish over time. Since we spend extended time indoors during the winter, it is easy for build up to multiply at a faster rate at this time.
- Odor – If you notice an unpleasant smell in the air and cannot find the source of the scent, it may be HVAC-related. It’s not uncommon for rodents, small critters, or insects to make their way into your ventilation system. Excrement can cause an unpleasant odor, as well as other contaminants such as mold.
What to Expect from A Duct Cleaning Service and What to Watch Out For
While you can perform simple tasks to improve air quality on your own, such as replacing air filters, specialized tools and expertise are required for a comprehensive cleaning. A competent and trustworthy HVAC company will be thorough and clean all components of your heating and air conditioning system. They will also ensure that all issues are dealt with properly to prevent re-contamination. You can expect a dependable company to:
- Open all access points and doors
- Use proper vacuum equipment
- Protect furnishings
- Protect ductwork and address any access holes that may promote air leakage
- Provide an asbestos inspection, if required
Our HVAC specialists can provide you with a timely assessment to help you decide if it’s time for a duct cleaning. Contact us today to inquire.
