If you notice dust coming from the vents in your home when you turn on your HVAC unit, it’s most likely because your air ducts are dirty.

Routinely cleaning your air ducts and maintaining your HVAC system will not only help you prevent these problems but improve energy efficiency and improve the overall air quality of your home. 

So, how do you know when your air ducts need cleaning? 

Watch out for these four signs! 

Let’s dive in.

1. A spike in your energy bill

If you notice that your bill has increased, despite no change in routines in your home, no additional guests have come, there hasn’t been any drastic change in weather, and you just can’t come up with an explanation for the increase in your energy bill, your HVAC system may be dirty. A good air duct cleaning is recommended. 

An increase in your bill can happen because when dirt and dust accumulate, it restricts airflow, so the system cannot efficiently circulate warm or cool air throughout our home. Other things to look for are leaks or gaps in your ductwork forcing your HVAC system to run longer and therefore use more energy resulting in paying more on your bill. 

Having your air ducts cleaning can reduce your energy bill. When your HVAC system is cleaning, and leaks are repaired- your system no longer has to work hard to keep your home cool or warm throughout the year. As a result, you will not only see an improvement in the air quality and temperature of your home, but you will also see improvement in your wallet.

2. Keep an eye on your vents.

If you see dirt and debris around your vent, your HVAC system likely has high amounts of contaminants circulating through the air ducts. Not only does this make your home dusty, but your health is impacted negatively as well.

3. Achoo! Is it allergy season?

If you notice that you and your family members are experiencing unexplained and worsened allergy, sinus, asthma, or other respiratory problems, excessive allergen contaminants in your HVAC system may be the cause of the problem. 

According to NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaning Association), your HVAC system pulls contaminants through your home five to seven times per day, exposing you to allergens each time. Having your air ducts cleaned can significantly improve the health problems triggered by poor indoor air quality.

4. Watch out for mold growth.

According to NADCA, your HVAC system needs to be cleaned and serviced periodically—in fact, most manufacturers and HVAC service professionals recommend scheduling two service visits per year. Because both air conditioners and furnaces can develop condensation, mold growth is possible, especially if you live in a humid climate.

Mold exposure in homes has been linked to many health issues like throat irritation, eye irritation, coughing or wheezing, and in some cases, skin irritation. People with mold allergies may also have more severe reactions. Mold grows and spreads through spores, which can be picked up by your HVAC system and circulated around your home, promoting further growth. 

Other factors that increase HVAC maintenance need include:

• Pets.
• Cigarette or cigar smoke.
• Water damage that has impacted your HVAC system.
• Home renovations or remodeling projects.

Preventative maintenance, such as cleaning your air ducts and HVAC system, will help keep your system working correctly and your energy bills down—your best bet for finding a reliable, highly qualified air duct cleaning technician. Contact Golden Line Green Care – our experts will help get your home clean – right away!