How do I know if my air ducts need to be cleaned?

How do I know if my air vents need to be cleaned?

If you see dust and dirt both inside and outside — especially by the vents that blow cool air out — your ducts most likely need to be cleaned. To prevent future dust buildup, make sure you replace your HVAC system air filters frequently. You can also run an air purifier.

What happens if you don't clean air ducts?

Over time, without proper air duct cleaning and maintenance, the moisture will start to grow mold and mildew. The real problem here is due to what your ducts do: disperse air throughout a structure. If you have moldy air ducts, that mold is going to be blown all through your home or business.

How often should you be cleaning your air vents in your home?

According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, homeowners should have their air ducts cleaned every three to five years, but the timing really depends on the region in which you live, how often you use your HVAC system and whether you have family members that have respiratory problems.

Is duct cleaning a waste of money?

Because we believe it's a waste of money for our customers.

Here is what they concluded: "Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts.

4 Signs It's Time For An Air Duct Cleaning

Why is my house so dusty?

Both low humidity and high humidity play a role in why your house is so dusty. When the air is dry, your air can be extra dusty. But when it's too high, it can feed mites and promote mold growth. If your air is dry, run a humidifier so that you can reach a comfortable level.

How do you clean your ducts yourself?

Can dirty air ducts cause health problems?

Develop Respiratory Infections, Disease

If your family is getting sick more than normal, experiencing coughing, sneezing, sore throats, runny noses, nasal congestion, headaches, and low-grade fevers, they may have upper respiratory infections as a result of dirty air ducts.

Should you clean your return vents?

Keeping your return vents clean helps your HVAC system run more efficiently, but there's more to it than that. Clean return vents reduce the allergens in your home and keep the furnace filter cleaner, longer (so it can trap more dust and allergens).

Why is duct cleaning important?

– In addition to dust, air ducts often contain harmful contaminants and micro-organisms such as pet dander, bacteria, pollen, mildew and mold spores. People with respiratory problems are particularly sensitive to these airborne particles, and a periodic air duct cleaning promotes healthier living.

How do I check my air vents?

Turn your HVAC system on and return to the areas where ductwork is accessible. Check the connections between each section of duct, placing your hand over the metal. If you feel air against your hand, the connection is loose and there is an air leak. A common place for leaks is the duct joints.

How do I know if I have mold in my air ducts?

Does vent cleaning help with allergies?

If you're one of the many people who suffer from allergies or asthma symptoms, an air duct system cleaning is something we highly recommend. It can not only help reduce allergens in your home but also provide relief for allergy and asthma triggers.

Can mold in air ducts make you sick?

Respiratory Issues

Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath could all be symptoms you experience if there is decaying vermin or mold in your air vents. The American Lung Association warns that poor indoor air quality can contribute to the spread of bacteria, infections, and even lung disease in extreme cases.

Why is the dust in my house black?

There could be many reasons for black dust in your house. In fact, black dust may be due to deteriorating duct liner materials in your heater or air conditioner and in some cases cold air returns. It may alternatively be due to soot produced from candles.

Can dirty air ducts cause a fire?

Dust and debris accumulate over time. However, if allowed to accumulate over an EXTENDED period of time the accumulation of particulates can become a risk for fire and poses a danger of spreading fire to other parts of your building via the HVAC system.

What does a return vent look like?

You can identify return vents by turning on the system fan and holding your hand or a piece of paper up. If the paper is pulled toward the vent or you feel a suction effect, it's a return vent.

Why are my cold air returns so dusty?

In the “On” position, your AC's blower circulates air constantly throughout your home (even when your home does not need cooling). So, when you dust your home, those airborne dust particles will get sucked up through the system's return vent and removed through the air filters.

How do you disinfect ductwork?

Can Dirty vents make you cough?

In homes with dirty air ducts, occupants may experience symptoms that are similar to the symptoms of allergies, including coughing, sneezing, and runny nose. Mold, dust and other contaminants lurking in your ducts could also cause sore throat, headaches and even dizziness.

What can I put in my vents to make the house smell good?

Some of the most common ways to make a home smell good involve putting clip-on air fresheners, dryer sheets, essential oils or fragrance sachets inside of vents.

How do you clean inside floor vents?

Use a dish cleaning tool, like a scrub brush or sponge, to clean the slats of the vent and other narrow crevices. Wet your tool with water, apply soap to it, and clean each vent. Afterwards, metal or plastic vents can air dry or be wiped dry with a clean, dry rag or paper towel.

How do you keep dust out of your vents?

Do air purifiers get rid of dust?

High efficiency particulate air filters, known as HEPA filters, are able to remove 99.97 percent of dust particles that are 3 microns in diameter, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. As of now, air purifiers that have a HEPA filter tend to be the best at filtering out dust from your space.