Are you able to recall the last time you sparked a thought about cleaning your HVAC ducts? It’s common to neglect this step, but are you aware of the consequences? The air inside our homes can be two to five times more polluted than the air outside, and a filthy air duct can cause serious harm to you and your family.
How Does The HVAC Duct Become Dirty?
HVAC ducts help to transport hot and cold air to the rest of your house. However, over time, debris can collect onto these ducts despite having a filter in your system. Due to this dust accumulation, you will most likely experience a strange smell whenever you turn on your HVAC system. Skin flakes, pet fur, and hair tend to catch on to these ducts, creating a dense bed of puffed-up dust crusts on top of the air ducts. In addition to that, temperature differences inside and outside the ducts can cause moisture to build up too. This creates the right environment for mold to grow and spread, attracting unwanted bacteria and allergens.
How Often Should You Clean Those Ducts?
To ensure that your HVAC system is functioning properly, you must regularly maintain it so it can last longer and prevent any health issues. Experts suggest cleaning them every two to three years. If you have the habit of changing the filters twice a year, it can increase the duration between each cleaning.
It’s better to clean the HVAC duct when its usage is less so that there is ample time for it to be thoroughly cleaned. The best time is either in spring or the early fall. A trusted service provider can even sanitize the area to get rid of any bacteria or mold growth to prevent it in the future.
What Are The Consequences Of Not Cleaning Your HVAC Duct?
- Dust directly affects your HVAC system by restricting its air flow and clogging the motor. As a result, the HVAC systems run longer, using more energy. This will also increase your monthly bills and repair expenses.
- Dust spreads much faster in homes with dirty air ducts. Despite the thorough cleaning, you will find dust lying on daily use items like phones or toys because the fine dust particles will travel from room to room.
- Poor indoor air quality leads to itching and coughing, resulting in allergies or respiratory problems. This affects the elderly or newborns and increases their chances of falling sick.
- Critters like rodents and insects can use the ducts to spread in the house. Mice can destroy the house’s infrastructure, while insects can irritate or even carry diseases that can spread to humans.
Is It Better To Contact A Professional?
It is always better to hire a certified professional to help clean out the HVAC ducts in your house rather than attempting to do it yourself. They use specially designed equipment and follow all the safety precautions too to ensure that you have a cleaner home to live in. You can rely on Crump A/C and Heating for all your HVAC needs. Call us at 281-533-9200 for more inquiries.