Determining if air duct cleaning is actually needed, can be a bit of a tricky task. There are some tell tale signs to look for that indicate it's time to clean home's air ducts. They include:
Visible mold growth inside a heating and cooling system. If the intake vents are showing signs of mold growth or the outtakes smell of mold, it's time to seek out air duct cleaning services. Do put as much weight in the smell of mold as in the sight of it. The fact is mold and debris can build up in portions of the ducts that are not visible to the naked eye.
Visible build up of dust and debris. Again, pay attention to the smells, too. Still, if dirt and dust are heavily built up and very visible, it's time to call on air duct cleaning services. Dust and dirt that is left in air ducts can be blown back out into the air. It can also promote the growth of mold and bacteria -- especially if moisture is present in a heating and cooling system's ducts.
Insects and vermin have infiltrated the duct system. As gross as this sounds, it does happen. If rodents, cockroaches or other unwanted critters take up residence in a home's air duct system, they can and will leave behind droppings. These can be serious allergens for some people. For those who are not allergic or sensitive, they can still cause discomfort with breathing. In addition, the smells can be quite unpleasant. If there is a known problem with vermin in the air duct system, hiring an exterminator alone is not enough to remove their traces. Duct cleaning can finish cleaning up the mess.
A central heat and air system is not functioning efficiently. When debris builds up on the ducts and in the coils, systems will not function at their peak. This can impair efficiency and even break a system. Many air duct cleaning services will also clean the coils and other parts of a system along with the ducts. When this is done, the overall efficiency of a system can be improved greatly.
Moisture problems with insulated ducts. If water is a problem in air ducts, cleaning and even replacing the insulation is probably in order. If this is left unchecked, the ducts can be subject to mold growth. Regular cleaning and inspection can help spot problems before they become major.
Air duct cleaning is generally required about once every three to five years. Many homeowners choose to have the duct cleaning service performed annually along with a regular a/c inspection.
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