When it comes to residential heating and cooling systems, many homeowners think about the unit outside their homes. Typically perched on a slab on the side or back of a home, a residential HVAC system is essential to keep you and your family comfortable. You depend on it during the cool nights we’re experiencing in the Phoenix area now. What most homeowners are concerned with is their air filter, but, don’t often think about their ductwork. Though it doesn’t seem to be a vital part of your heating and cooling system, it is, so much the United States Environmental Protection Agency recommends ducts should be cleaned on an as-needed basis.
Signs Residential Ductwork needs Cleaning
The average residential HVAC system circulates 1,000 cubic feet of air per minute, so, it’s very important to keep those passageways clean and clear of dust and debris. When these are present and increasingly take-over the inside of air ducts, the effects can be harmful to you and your family. Dust and debris in ductwork will circulate through your home, causing allergies to flare, and, broadcasting microbes which can pose a health hazard.
Many homeowners who’ve hired a reputable air duct cleaning contractor are often pleased with the results. While there’s no scientific evidence to prove that vent cleaning has a direct and significant benefit, experts agree there’s some benefit to having air duct cleaning performed, particularly if you hire a professional skilled in how to clean air ducts. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommends getting your air ducts cleaned every three to five years. —Angie’s List
This can lead to difficulty in breathing, and, at the very least, cause a never-ending battle with dust. Some homeowners believe that by regularly changing filters is enough to keep their ductwork clean. Although this is very important, it isn’t enough to keep air ducts clean and certainly won’t do anything to repair ductwork leaks. If you’re wondering whether or not your residential ductwork needs cleaning, here are some signs it’s time:
- You see mold. If you see moisture on vents or mold grow around air ducts, that’s a bad sign. Mold presents a real health hazard and can indicate larger problems with your residential HVAC system. It’s could also be a sign of a problem that’s growing larger and larger, if left unchecked.
- There are signs of rodent or insect infestation. Droppings, chewed holes, tears, and other signs of rodent and insect infestation probably means it’s time to get your air ducts cleaned out. When insects or rodents inhabit ductwork, they bread and present a health hazard to your home.
- Airflow is weak when the system is running. If you turn your system on and feel the air delivery is weak or isn’t evenly distributed from room to room, that’s also a sign the ducts ought to be cleaned.
- Dust clouds and/or cobwebs are present. This is an obvious sign that there’s a problem in your air ducts. Dust and other debris will collect inside residential ductwork over time and eventually, you might see dust clouds or cobwebs on vents.
- Unusual allergies and/or difficulty breathing. If you or a member of your family has difficulty breathing or experiences allergies, it could be due to dirty air ducts which should be cleaned to alleviate the effects.
If your home’s ductwork needs to be cleaned or you notice any of the above signs, give us a call us and we’ll send out an experienced technician. We serve the entire Phoenix area, from along Interstate 17, over to West Indian School Road, and nearby the Phoenix Sonoran Desert Preserve.
