Dirty air ducts can cause a wide range of issues including potentially serious health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), improving the ventilation in your home can reduce virus particles and keep them from spreading.
As the fall season approaches, it’s important to think about the indoor air quality of your North St. Johns, FL home.
Read on to learn about signs that you may need to have professionals come and clean ducts in your house to ensure a healthy space for you and your family.
Visible Signs of Dirt and Debris
When you look at your air vents, they should be generally clean. Any sign of residue including dirt, dust, and debris buildup is a sign that you may have dirty air ducts.
Under normal circumstances, your air ducts won’t release dust and debris into the air that you can see when the system is on. If you notice any grimy substances around the vents, there’s a good chance that it’s being transported there via the dirty ductwork.
Clogged Air Filters
If you want to maintain your HVAC system properly, it’s important to change the air filter as recommended by the manufacturer. Most air filters should be replaced every 30, 60, or 90 days.
But if you happen to notice that your HVAC filter is getting clogged too quickly, this could be a sign that your air ducts are dirty. The filter should trap small dust particles, but fast clogging is a sign that something else is at play.
Any air filter that needs replacing before the recommended timeframe is a red flag. Check your HVAC filter every few weeks to ensure that it’s looking the way it should.
Obvious Unusual Odors
Funky mildew-like smells are another telltale sign that you could have dirty air ducts. Mold spores that are released into the air will often emit a funky “foot-like” odor.
Check your air registers by giving them a sniff close-up to see if they’re the source. If the smell gets stronger when you do the sniff test, then you may need to have clean ducts in the house. A professional HVAC service can also come to inspect your air ducts and verify the source of the icky smell.
Clean Ducts in the House when Allergies Worsen
Fall allergies can affect anyone, but if they seem to be worse than usual, your air ducts could be to blame. When the ducts are dirty, they simply re-release things like dust particles, tiny mold spores, and pet dander back into the air.
As you breathe these particles in, they can make your allergy symptoms much more intense. Pay attention to how you feel and if you’re having trouble breathing or you’re sneezing a lot, then it might be time to schedule a professional air duct cleaning.
Proper air circulation and ventilation are important to help keep the indoor air quality of your home safe and clean. If the air ducts are dirty, it can make keeping your home’s air clean an uphill battle. People with asthma and allergies tend to notice the problems first, so be mindful of how you and your family are feeling.
The HVAC System Has Mold or Mildew
Some homeowners forget to check the outdoor unit of their HVAC system. This area can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew, especially in humid areas of the country like North St. Johns, Florida.
Take some time to look carefully around the vent covers and air conditioning units outside of your home. If you notice moisture pooling or you see unusual green coloring, there’s a good chance that mold and/or mildew are present.
When mold and mildew grow on the outside of your HVAC unit, the spores can get inside. And since the fall season can still be humid in Florida, it’s also a good idea to use a dehumidifier indoors to help keep excess air moisture at bay.
Everything is Dusty
You might notice that dust is starting to build up on your furniture at a rapid pace. Even when you’re dusting things regularly, it seems like you just can’t keep up with cleaning.
If this is happening in your home, it may be a result of dirty and dusty air ducts. When there’s too much dust inside the ducts, it will simply blow the dust out of the vents and onto your furniture.
Your Energy Bills are High
It’s not unusual for energy costs to fluctuate, especially when the seasons change. But if your monthly bill suddenly starts to skyrocket, there could be an issue with dirty air ducts.
In most cases, your home’s energy bill should remain mostly stable unless there’s a major spike up or down in temperature. If the bill looks especially high compared to the months prior, it might be time for an air duct cleaning.
When the air ducts are clogged or blocked, it forces your home’s heating and cooling system to work harder. This will usually result in a much higher energy bill than normal. Not only will this cost you money in terms of your monthly bill, but it could also result in extremely costly HVAC repairs later, too.
You Notice Weird Noises
if you’ve lived in your North St. Johns, Florida home for a while, you know what a normally functioning HVAC system sounds like. Unusual noises coming from your system are an indication that something is wrong.
Listen carefully for any banging or clanking sounds when the system is running. If you hear these noises, there is a good possibility that your system or your air ducts need attention ASAP.
Keep Your Ducts and Your Home Clean
Remember these signs to help you determine if you need to clean ducts in the house. From musty odors to high energy bills and piles of dust, getting your air ducts clean will improve the indoor air quality of your home and your health as a whole.
If you need HVAC service in North St. Johns, Jacksonville, Amelia Island, FL, and the surrounding areas, contact Whitleys Heating and Air today!