Signs Your Air Ducts Need Cleaning

Ductwork is an integral component of any central HVAC system. Your ducts allow the system to distribute cooling and heating evenly throughout the entire home. Some dust in your system is unavoidable, and that dust will settle in your ducts and accumulate. Over time, it can give your home an unpleasant smell and impact indoor air quality in other ways. It can also diminish your comfort and increase your heating and cooling bills. Let’s explore the signs it’s time to have your ducts professionally cleaned.

You’ve Never Cleaned Your Ducts

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association estimates the average household needs professional duct cleaning every several years. How often you need it depends on many factors, including the size of the home and the number of people and pets. That said, if you’ve never scheduled or the last time was more than five years ago, it’s certainly time. Even if you live alone, there are enough dust particles in the air to build up substantially in that timeframe.

Dirty Return Vents

Much of the dust in your ducts will settle there, but some of it will make it to the vents. Cleaning your return vents every month should reveal any significant dust problems. You may notice dust puffing out of your ducts when the system cycles on. Dust puffing is an indication of significant dust accumulation. Another sign is tufts of dust coming through the vent slots. Dust the vent inside and out and up into the dust mouth as far as you can reach. If your duster has caked dust on it after doing so, you know it’s time for a duct cleaning appointment.

HVAC Filter Clogging Faster Than Normal

All HVAC systems have one or more supply vents that require filters. The average household must replace or clean its filters every several months. The industry recommendation is to check your filter at least once a month and replace it as needed. Signs of a clogged filter include whistling sounds and dust caked up on the outer surface. If you’re replacing your filters frequently, that’s a sign of excessive dust and a likely buildup in your ducts.

Persistent Unpleasant Smells in the Home

Regular deep dusting is essential to maintaining a home that smells clean and fresh. If you experience persistent bad odors despite doing so, it may mean a dust buildup you can’t easily reach. Mustiness is particularly concerning. That may mean there’s microbial growth on the evaporator coil. It can also mean there’s a moisture problem and mildew or mold in the ducts in addition to the dust. If you’re noticing staleness or sour smells, it’s probably dust alone.

Other Indoor Air Quality Issues

Abundant dust can lead to air quality issues beyond unpleasant smells. That’s because dust can absorb gases and chemicals and continue to release them over time. Watch for excessive dust buildup around baseboards and furniture. Consider your respiratory health as well. High dust levels can result in sneezing, runny nose, headaches, and other symptoms. Dust in your ducts can also trigger allergy and asthma attacks and exacerbate symptoms. People with severe allergies may want to schedule duct cleaning annually.

Reduced Airflow

While it takes a while, dust can eventually build up in ducts enough to affect airflow. You may notice this as weaker airflow from your return vents. Homes can experience cold and warm spots. These spots can range in size from small areas within a room to entire rooms. In multistory homes, it’s not unusual to experience sharp temperature differences between floors.

Spike in Your Energy Bills

Reduced airflow often means there’s high static pressure in your ducts, and that will affect performance. If you notice your cooling and heating costs rising for seemingly no reason, schedule an inspection. It could be a problem with your ducts or something else like a refrigerant leak. You may notice your system short cycling, which is where it turns on and off frequently, or running for extended periods. Not only does it indicate an airflow issue, it can cause excessive wear and tear on your equipment.

Professional Duct Cleaning in DuPage County and Beyond

Fire 'n' Ice Heating & Cooling Inc. is a family-owned and -operated HVAC company located in Downers Grove, IL. We employ NATE-certified technicians who provide all the HVAC services your home needs.

Our team performs seasonal HVAC tune-ups and is available for services to keep your indoor air quality at optimal conditions. We also provide a full range of duct-related services, including duct cleaning, duct sealing, and air balancing. Call today or contact us online with questions and to schedule an appointment.