How to Tell if Your Air Ducts Need to Be Cleaned

The air ducts in your house help heat and cool air run through your home from your HVAC system. These air pathways provide access to various rooms in the house to ensure your family is kept cool during the summer months and warm during the cold weather season. As you might imagine, it’s important to keep these ducts clear of any dust, dirt, and debris that may collect there. That’s why periodic cleaning of the air ducts is a necessity. So, how do you know when it’s time to clean your air ducts? Here are a few ways to tell if you should have your air ducts cleaned and why this type of cleaning is so important. 

Why Should You Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned?

It’s easy to forget about the air ducts in your home since you don’t see them. These extremely useful features are hidden behind walls, so cleaning your air ducts may not be on the top of your mind. However, every time your HVAC system runs, air is pushed through these air ducts which means any dirt, debris, and other particles will move through the ducts and then out of all of the air vents in your home. 

If there is debris in your air duct system, this will flow into the air that you and your family breathe in on a daily basis. If the air that moves through the air ducts and out of the vents isn’t clean, this dirt and debris could cause allergy symptoms, respiratory issues, and other unhealthy qualities in the air. Therefore, it’s important to get your air ducts cleaned on a periodic basis.

When Should You Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned?

Since you can’t see inside of your air ducts, you need to know signs of when it’s time to give the air ducts a good cleaning. Here are some of the top signs you should make an appointment to have your air ducts cleaned by an HVAC professional:

Dust or Dirt Comes Out of Vents

When your HVAC system starts to run, you may notice a slight amount of dust or dirt coming out of the vents. This can be a sign that there is dirt and debris within the air ducts that needs to be removed with a good cleaning. 

Air Filters Need to Be Changed More Frequently

You should change the air filters on your HVAC system every three months or so, or when you notice a large buildup of debris on the filter. If you find that you’re changing the air filter more often than you usually do, this may mean the air ducts are dirty and need to be cleaned. 

Notice Mold or Mildew on Vent Covers

Mold and mildew can be unhealthy to breathe in on a daily basis, so you want to be sure you remove these substances if you notice them. Also, if you notice mold and mildew on any of the vent covers in your home, this may indicate that your air ducts need to be cleaned, too. 

Bad Odors Come From the Vents

If you notice bad odors coming from the vents when your HVAC system is running, this can indicate a clogged air duct system. You should consider calling your HVAC professional for an air duct cleaning appointment if you notice bad smells coming from the vents. 

Air Flow From the Vents Seems Slow

Your heating and air conditioning system should work at a similar pace throughout the year. However, there may come a time when you notice the heating isn’t pushing out air fast enough or your air conditioner seems to be running a bit slower. This could be due to dirt, dust, and debris collecting in the ductwork. 

Frequent Dust Accumulates in the House

Houses get dusty from time to time, so it’s important to keep up with wiping down the tables, cabinets, and other pieces of furniture in your home. If you find that your dusting duties are becoming more frequently needed, this may be due to an accumulation of dust and dirt in the air ducts. 

Heating and Cooling Bills Are Higher Than Usual

A clogged ductwork system can also make your HVAC system have to work harder to produce heating and cooling results. This strenuous work needed by the HVAC system can cause your heating and air conditioning bills to rise. When you have your air ducts cleaned, this can help lessen the strain on your HVAC system and your wallet.

You Hear Unusual Noises in the Air Ducts

If your air ducts are clogged or there’s a buildup of dirt and debris within them, you may start to hear unusual noises coming from the ductwork. A good air duct cleaning can help fix this problem. 

If you notice one or more of these signs listed above, it may be time to make an appointment with your local HVAC company to have your air ducts cleaned. 

Trust Your Air Duct Cleaning Needs to NuBlue

When you’re ready to book an appointment to have your air ducts cleaned in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area, give the NuBlue team a call. NuBlue offers a wide array of HVAC services in the Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greenville, and Lake Norman areas of North Carolina. Our professional team will help you with your air duct cleaning needs and get the ductwork in your home back to proper working order.

Contact NuBlue today for more information and to make an appointment!