Air ducts are a crucial part of your home’s HVAC system. Your air ducts allow cold air or heat to flow from your HVAC unit to different rooms in your home. Air ducts are prone to dust, debris, pollen, and allergens, which can lead to poor air quality and high utility bills. Learning the most common signs that your air ducts need cleaning can help keep your home allergen-free and safe.
How Often Should Air Ducts Be Cleaned?
Many experts recommend having your air ducts professionally cleaned every three to five years and after any significant renovations. Additionally, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommends an air duct inspection at least once yearly. An inspection allows you to see further into your air ducts to better understand their overall condition.
While air duct cleaning is possible any time of the year, spring is an excellent time to schedule this service. Spring weather brings allergens, which can then make their way indoors. Cleaning your air ducts during the spring months helps control these allergens and improves your home’s air quality. Some homes in Virginia may require more frequent air duct cleanings. If you or your family is especially prone to allergies, you may prefer routine inspections and cleanings.
5 Signs You Need Air Duct Cleaning
A few telltale signs can help you determine if your home needs professional air duct cleaning services. Here are five signs your air ducts need cleaning:
1. Visible Dust and Debris
Generally, if your air ducts look dirty from the exterior, they probably are. Visible dust or debris at the entrance of your air vents is just a small indication of what’s inside. You’ll mostly notice caked-on dust or dirt on the air duct grilles. You might also notice a small burst of dust right after turning the HVAC on for the day.
Your air filters may also be consistently clogged when changing them, even when following a routine schedule. Air filters are supposed to filter out dust, dirt, debris, pollen, and dander, but too much may mean your air ducts need professional cleaning. Insects, bacteria, mildew, and mold may all be inside your air ducts.
2. Musty or Unpleasant Smells
Unpleasant or musty smells in your home could be from the air ducts. Of course, there are other causes of musty smells, including water damage, so you may have to smell around to find the source. Try to pinpoint if the smell worsens right after you turn on your home’s air conditioning or heat.
You might also get close to the air vents and sniff to determine whether the mustiness is stronger there. These unpleasant smells can even cause allergy symptoms. If water enters your air ducts, it will most likely grow mold, making an annual inspection extremely important.
3. Recent Renovations
Construction and renovation projects often lead to excessive dust and debris, easily getting into your air ducts. Some crews may cover your HVAC systems during renovations, but it’s always possible for some dust particles to make it into your air ducts. Construction workers may also work with harmful chemicals and toxins, which could move into your air ducts and recirculate throughout the house.
Air duct cleaning is also an excellent idea for new builds. If your home or office was recently built, there’s a good chance that the air ducts hold construction dust or debris.
4. Dust Accumulation
If you feel like you’re constantly dusting your home and yet, a thin layer of dust continues to cover your furniture or windows, it could be due to dirty air ducts. This is because each time you turn on your HVAC unit, it pushes air and other debris into your home. Scheduling an air duct cleaning can reduce the time spent dusting or cleaning your house.
5. High Utility Bills
Dirty HVAC systems often lead to increased utility bills. Dirt and debris within the air ducts block airflow, forcing your HVAC unit to work harder. Both your air conditioning and furnace units will stay on longer to reach your desired temperature, thus driving up your heating and cooling costs.
You might also notice your HVAC unit turning on more frequently throughout the day and taking longer to cool or heat the home effectively. Routine air duct cleaning and filter changes can also prolong the life of your HVAC unit, saving you money in the long run. Air duct cleaning can even lead to lower HVAC maintenance costs.
Air Duct Cleaning Near Williamsburg, Virginia
Professional air duct cleaning can lead to a cleaner home, improved energy efficiency, lower utility bills, and better air quality. Air duct cleaning also removes debris that can turn into mold, a dangerous contaminant that thrives in damp or dirty conditions. Scheduling an air duct cleaning is simple, and the process takes just a few hours.
Steamatic keeps Williamsburg and nearby residents’ homes clean and allergen-free with expert air duct cleaning services. Our process begins with an assessment of your home’s air ducts. This gives us an idea of how clean they are and what allergens are present. Our team uses cameras that easily move through your unit, allowing us to see firsthand what’s inside.
Then, we use high-powered equipment to push air through your home’s HVAC system, removing any stuck debris or dust. We then use our special equipment to suck the loose particles and allergens from the air ducts. Using HEPA filters, we can trap all the removed contaminants, removing them from your home altogether. Our highly-trained team then replaces your air vent covers, and you can go back to enjoying clear air in your home.
Contact Us Today for Professional Air Duct Cleaning
With ample experience, expert knowledge, and a guaranteed satisfaction policy, Steamatic is the top air duct cleaning company in the Williamsburg, Virginia, area. We are committed to exceptional service with over 75 years of cleaning experience. We know how important a healthy and clean home is to you and your family, and that’s why we’re in business. Contact us today to request an air duct inspection or cleaning service.
