If your furniture and flooring get dusty when the furnace runs, it’s time to clean the ductwork. This should be done every few years to make sure you are not inhaling dust and contaminants in your indoor air. It also prevents the growth of mold and mildew, as the ducting can be replaced if it is producing this fungus. Aside from dusty furniture, here are other signs that your ductwork needs to be cleaned.
Dusty Vents
Look at the vents to see if they are dusty. If they are, they are getting some of the dust from inside the ductwork. The vents can also get dusty on the outside from the dust that is carried in your interior air. If you are faithful about dusting the vents yet they still get clogged with dust quickly, the dust is coming from your ductwork and it needs to be cleaned.
Clogged Filters
The HVAC intake filter can also get clogged quickly if the ductwork is dirty. Depending on the type that you buy, the filter should last 30 days to 90 days. If the filter is getting clogged sooner than its expected lifespan, you’ve got too much dust in the air. As you learned above, this dust could be coming from dirty ductwork that is pushing dust into your home.
Unpleasant Odors
If the air that blows out of the vents smells strange, your ductwork is dirty and possibly filled with mold or mildew. The air that is circulated by your HVAC system should be odorless, except for the first time the heater runs in the season. You know the heater smells funny when you first turn it on. If it continues to smell funny, you need a professional duct cleaning.
Mold/Mildew
As the ductwork gets dirty, mold and mildew can start to build up inside it. It can also build up inside or around your HVAC system. For some, inhaling mold spores can be irritating at best and deadly at worst. It’s important to have the ductwork cleaned regularly to ensure you do not have mold or mildew building up inside the large air tubes.
Poor Airflow
Finally, if the ductwork is getting clogged with dirt and debris, you will notice a reduction in the airflow out of your vents. This is a sign that the ductwork has not been cleaned ever. Cleaning every few years prevents the dirt build-up that can constrict airflow.
Call us if you would like us to inspect your ductwork. We will check for dirt, tears, and other problems.