When Do You Need Duct Cleaning?
As you continue to heat and cool your home, various allergen particles can accumulate in the vents and ducts. These include dust, pollen allergens, insect feces, mold, pet dander and obstructions like toys. When these particles are part of the air you breathe, they can cause a myriad of side effects ranging from skin, eye and nose irritation to detrimental symptoms in patients of respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis. Cleaning your ducts and air supply vents will significantly improve your indoor air quality and keep your family safe.
As a rule of thumb, you should clean the duct system every 2-5 years. Nonetheless, you may need to clean more often than that especially if you live in a dusty and allergen prone area or if you recently had construction work done. You can request quotes or on-sight visits to help you determine how much it costs to clean your air duct. It is also important to compare different offers if you want the best deal. Below are some insights on when you should consider cleaning your ducts.
If you notice mold growth
Mold is one of the most harmful contaminants in an air supply system. If you discover any mold, it is recommendable to call a HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) professional to inspect and verify that it is indeed mold. The mold should then be cleaned and sanitized. Your HVAC provider will also inspect the entire system to ensure all mold is removed. You can choose to hire HVAC inspection services from time to time. This will help you identify any contaminants before they accumulate to dangerous levels. If you find mold in your HVAC, then it probably exists in other areas so it is advisable to take appropriate eradication measures.
If your system works harder and produces strange/loud noise
If your HVAC system is not working optimally, you need to get it inspected as soon as possible. It could be because of dust and debris accumulation in the duct and vents. Dust can block airways and result in disrupted heating/cooling. Pay close attention to the noises produced by your system and general performance.
Excessive dust and debris in the house
Excessive household dust could imply your duct and vents are dusty. When there is dust accumulation in your air supply system, some of the dust will be blown into your house. Inspect your furniture, upholstery, carpets and wall hangings for excessive dust. You should also replace your filters to determine if that is the main cause of increased dust in your home.
Increased Allergic Symptoms
If anyone in your home has respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis, their conditions will worsen when they are exposed to allergens and dust. Increased allergic symptoms and reactions could therefore be a sign to clean your ducts and have the entire HVAC system inspected.
Pest and/or Rodent Infestation
It is recommendable to clean your duct and vents following an encounter with pest infestation. Pests carry different allergens and disease-causing organisms that may pose health risk if left to circulate your air supply. Pest extermination can also expose your ducts to harsh pesticides, so it is advisable to perform major cleaning and sanitation.
Inspecting your HVAC system regularly will help you determine when it is necessary to clean the duct and airways. If you are hiring cleaning services, choose HVAC providers who are members of the NACDA (National-Air-duct-Cleaners-Association). They will ensure your duct is properly inspected and cleaned only when there is need to. A clean duct will ensure you get steady supply of clean air.
