Where I live, we have several months out of the year that are packed with devastating storms. These storms have been known to damage entire communities and leave many people's lives turned upside-down. During the days and weeks following these storms, we pull together as a community to help each other rebuild and repair the homes we live in. We have worked alongside some of the best damage contractors in the country. This blog contains a ton of information about the things that we have learned from those contractors during these devastating times each and every year through the worst possible storms.
Samu Palo
Your heating and cooling system is an elaborate series of parts, equipment, and ductwork. Each element of this system helps condition and move air into your home to keep your family cool in the summer and warm in the winter. While moving air, dirt, dust, and other debris may also move into your home through the ductwork. Removing this debris is possible through professional air duct cleaning. Here are two surefire signs you should consider cleaning your air ducts.
1. Allergies
If you or another member of your family suffer from allergies, cleaning your air ducts is imperative. Not only will the cleaning remove dirt and dust that enter the home, but it is also capable of removing and preventing mold growth in the house.
As conditioned air moves through the ductwork, moisture will build up inside the ducts, increasing the risk of mold growth. Over time, the mold spores will move through the air ducts and into your home, causing allergic reactions that are not only uncomfortable but also dangerous.
Exposure to mold can cause reactions that irritate the skin and eyes. In addition, your indoor air quality will be negatively affected, resulting in coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing.
If left untreated, mold in the air can build up on walls, ceilings, and other areas of your home. While dangerous to your health, mold remediation is a costly and overwhelming project.
Cleaning the air ducts will improve your home's indoor air quality while reducing allergy symptoms and making your family more comfortable.
2. Energy Inefficiency
Heating and cooling your home can become expensive at times. If you are noticing rising energy costs, even though you are not using your heating and cooling system more frequently, you may benefit from an inspection and cleaning of your ductwork.
Over time, dirt and debris will build up in your ductwork and clog your system's filters. This heavy buildup will prevent air from moving freely into your home, increasing your usage of your heating and cooling system. This will cause your system to work harder, so you may notice higher energy costs.
During the cleaning of your air ducts, dirt and debris that is causing your system to work inefficiency will be removed. However, technicians will also inspect the ductwork for signs of air loss. Tears, holes, and poorly connected seams can be addressed to improve the energy efficiency of your system.
While not easily seen, your air ducts are an imperative part of your home and family's health. If allergies and energy inefficiency are issues in your household, cleaning your air ducts is smart.