If your HVAC – Heating, Ventilation,
and Air-Conditioning system puffs out little dust particles every time you turn
it on, it means that its air duct needs cleaning since this dust will directly
affect your indoor air quality. It’s not only the air duct that has the dirt
piled up in it, but it’s also your lungs accumulating these tiny particles with
every breath. If there is a thick layer of dust on the return air registers,
this is a noteworthy sign that your home’s furnace or air conditioner requires
a thorough cleaning. But, how does dirt snowballs in an air duct?
Inside an HVAC system, tiny dust
particles gather on air duct surfaces, motors, coils, and vents. This dust,
along with dirt granules, attracts hair, and dead skin cells that settle into
an air duct as dust balls. Even the air filters can’t remove them from all
parts of the HVAC system. Therefore, if you don’t clean it periodically, it can
be a breeding ground for dust mites and allergens. So, here are five signs that
indicate that your air duct requires a professional cleaning service.
1. High Electricity Bills
The air ducts are programmed to
distribute air through an HVAC system by the expenditure of energy. Because of
the build-up of dust therein, the air filters are blocked, thus unable to
circulate the air thoroughly. Since the HVAC is automated to reach a specific
temperature, it exerts extra energy to pull it off. This results in a
comparatively higher electricity bill than those of the previous months. If
this is the case, then it is advised to go for the air duct cleaning.
Just a side note: If you’re in
Brooklyn, and the electricity bill is unusually higher, then it is an indicator
that you should search for an air duct cleaning service in Brooklyn to clean the clogged air
ducts.
2. Respiratory Problems and Increased Allergy
Suppose waking up with a sore throat
and runny nose is becoming a routine. In that case, the chances are that it’s a
symptom of a severe allergy, most probably the dust allergy. The clogged air
ducts can act as a potential medium for the growth of a variety of allergens
such as molds or pollens, which are the causative agents of severe respiratory
disorders. As the air is pumped out of the duct, these allergens follow suit.
Inhaling these contaminants can
cause allergic responses such as the runny nose, dry throat, and chronic cough.
These symptoms can aggravate respiratory problems if you have an underlying
disease such as asthma. So, if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s
advised to get your HVAC cleaned at your earliest convenience.
3. Cleaning the Supply and Return Vents More
than Usual
Seeing an occasional tiny ball of
dust clinging on to the supply and return vents is normal. But the more
significant concern is having to clean them recurrently. It means that a
considerable amount of debris is accumulated on them, which is contaminating
them. It’s a clear sign that you need to clean up the air duct from top to bottom.
4. Increased Amount of Furniture Dust
If your HVAC air duct hasn’t been
thoroughly cleaned in a long time, you may start to notice the dirt particles
on your furniture in routine. The next time you see a stray dustball on your
couch, chair, table, or a dresser, it is most likely that your air duct has
spewed it out.
5. Examining How Adversely the Air Duct has
been Affected
Open the vent covers, and examine if
the filters are piled up with dirt, dust, or debris. Also, check the return air
registers and the AC coils. The more trash you see on their panel, the more are
the chances that the air filters are clogged with dust balls, which
consequently block the airflow.
Also, the HVAC vent may have more or
less the same amount of debris snowballed therein. Therefore, cleaning a dryer vent alongside the air duct is always
suggested.