When Do You Need Air Duct Cleaning?

Your air ducts are typically one of the last things homeowners think about. After all, you don’t see them every day. But your HVAC system is busy circulating air through your home every day, and it’s transporting everything in your ductwork along for the ride.

Dust, pet dander, allergens, mold spores and other pollutants can build up inside your air ducts over time. Excessive buildup can impact your indoor air quality, comfort levels and may even affect your energy bills.

So, when is it time to call in the professionals to get your air ducts cleaned? Here’s a look at some of the top signs your home may benefit from air duct cleaning.

Why Does Cleaning Air Ducts Matter?

During the summer and winter months, your HVAC system works hard to keep your indoor spaces comfortable. Unfortunately, as air travels through your duct system, airborne pollutants can get dispersed throughout your home.

If your ducts are filled with debris and dirt, they could contaminate your indoor air every time you turn your HVAC system on. Air duct cleaning can:

• Help improve indoor air quality
• Eliminate allergens and irritants
• Boost HVAC efficiency
• Remove odors
• Increase airflow throughout your home
• Help you breathe easily

1. Excessive Dust

There’s dusting, and then there’s excessive dust. If you’ve got dust collectors in your home that seem to never end—your air ducts could be the cause.

Your furniture and surfaces will quickly become dusted again if you have dirty air ducts. Another tell-tale sign? If you can see dust blowing from your vents when your system turns on.

Your HVAC system pushes air through the vents and contains everything in your ducts. As a result, your home may never feel clean if you have dirty air ducts.

2. Allergy Symptoms

Do your family members suffer more indoor allergy symptoms than outdoor symptoms? Symptoms can include:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Stuffy nose
• Itchy eyes
• Headaches

Unfortunately, dust mites, pollen and pet dander can collect in your air ducts. Then, every time your home’s heating or air conditioning kicks on, those allergens are pushed into the air and circulated through your home.

If you or someone in your family suffers from allergies or asthma, cleaning your air ducts can make a noticeable difference.

3. Musty Odors

Does your house smell like dirt? Or maybe you’ve noticed your laundry room smells musty, even when you don’t have laundry in the dryer.

Odors from pet hair, dust, mold and mildew, smoke and cooking can accumulate in your ductwork. Then, when your heating or cooling turns on, they’re dispersed throughout your house.

Instead of masking the odor with air fresheners, schedule air duct cleaning. Our technicians can remove the contaminants causing odors and improve your indoor air quality.

4. Mold Growth

If you spot mold near your vents or other HVAC system components, it’s time to clean your air ducts. Moisture from leaks, high humidity levels and condensation can contribute to mold growth in your ductwork.

As mold spores spread through your ducts, they can pollute the air inside your home. Aside from causing allergy symptoms and irritating your lungs, mold can leave your house smelling musty.

Schedule air duct cleaning as soon as you notice mold in or around your HVAC system. Not only will you improve your indoor air quality, but you may prevent further mold growth.

5. Remodeling Projects

Did you know that home renovation projects can introduce dirt into your air duct system? From sawdust to drywall dust, particles from remodeling projects can make their way into your HVAC system.

Once the renovation is complete and dust everywhere, consider hiring professionals to clean your air ducts. It’ll ensure that debris doesn’t continue to flow through your ductwork and into your home.

6. Pets Love You Too

While furry friends bring nothing but joy into your home, they can also lead to dirty air ducts. Pet hair and dander can build up inside your HVAC system over time.

Not only can pets affect your indoor air quality, but they can decrease airflow and contribute to unpleasant smells. If you’ve got pets in the house, you might want to consider having your air ducts cleaned more frequently.

7. Weak Airflow

Weak airflow from your registers or vents could mean dirt is restricting airflow in your air ducts. Other signs include stuffy rooms, inconsistent temperatures and registers that don’t blow as hard as others.

If you’ve ruled out your HVAC filter as the issue, it’s time to think about your air ducts. Cleaning your air ducts could restore the breeze you’ve been missing.

8. Increased Energy Bills

If your energy bills were high last month, but you haven’t made any changes to your heating and cooling settings, there could be a culprit. Dirty air ducts can cause your HVAC system to work harder and run longer to heat and cool your home.

The last thing you want is for filthy air ducts to shorten the lifespan of your HVAC system. Consider scheduling annual air duct cleaning to keep your system running smoothly and efficiently.

9. It’s Just Time

How often should you clean your air ducts? Technicians recommend air duct cleaning every three to five years. But if you fall into any of these categories, you may benefit from more frequent cleaning.

• Pets
• Allergy sufferers
• Smoking households
• Newly renovated homes
• Homes with excessive dust

Your air ducts may be more than dirty if you meet several of these conditions. If in doubt, give our team a call to schedule an inspection of your duct system.

10. Rodents

While rodents may be cute on the outside, they can wreak havoc on your air ducts. Droppings, nesting materials and urine are just a few contaminants rodents can leave inside your ductwork.

As your heating and cooling system operates, these pollutants can diminish your indoor air quality. Plus, rodent odors can be transferred to your furniture, clothes and other belongings. Consider scheduling air duct cleaning if you suspect rodents have taken up residence in your duct system.

Professional Air Duct Cleaning Services in Albuquerque

Air duct cleaning is more than changing your HVAC filter. Air duct cleaning removes pollutants that your filter can’t catch while your heating and cooling system is running.

Our air duct cleaning services improve your indoor air quality by focusing on:

• Supply ducts
• Return ducts
• Registers & vents
• System components

Remember airborne pollutants aren’t just found in your supply and return ducts. They can accumulate in your HVAC system components too. Our trained technicians can help you breathe more easily.

ThoroClean Has Your Back

If you have any of the issues mentioned above, it’s time to schedule air duct cleaning. Not sure where to start? Our trained specialists are here to help.

We serve homeowners in Albuquerque with professional air duct cleaning services your family can benefit from. Don’t wait for your ducts to become too dirty for you to notice. Schedule air duct cleaning with ThoroClean today!