How Do I Know If My Air Ducts Need to Be Cleaned?

Like any other home appliances, your HVAC unit ducts are prone to dirt, dust, and other elements adversely affecting their peak performance. Despite regularly maintaining your filters and seeking professional duct cleaning services, the HVAC unit gets dirty with daily use. You’ll know your air ducts need to be cleaned for reasons like:

 

• Mold

 

The presence of mold in your air ducts is indicated by a peculiar musty smell that’s highly unpleasant and allergic, especially to asthmatic guests and family.  While mold smell in ducts is bothersome, it is easy for you to notice mold presence easily.  Mostly, you’ll experience a more pungent smell when the HVAC unit is running.  Increased smelling happens when the unit operates because the air coming from the dust picks up and carries mold spores along, thus spreading particles throughout the ducts.  Mold infestation adversely affects the proper working of your HVAC system by damaging and encouraging condensation, which leads to its increased manifestation, especially if you reside in humid areas.

 There are several steps to implement, including turning off the cooling and heating vents. Turning off prevents the exchange of hot and cold water flow, causing condensation and vapor content that support mold growth within the ducts.  Therefore, condensed water droplets lead to a suitable environment for molding, especially since such surroundings contain mold nutrition.  Likewise, you can install a home dehumidifier or optimize your HVAC unit thermostat settings. A dehumidifier helps eradicate the mold by balancing moisture levels, thus preventing an amount that helps it thrive.

 

• Clogging

 

Another indication your ducts need cleaning is clogged air filters. Clogging can be caused by blocked vents, especially when obstructed by elements like furniture, preventing air from flowing smoothly into rooms.  Generally, your air duct filters should be regularly maintained and cleaned or changed after about thirty to sixty days for the efficient flow of indoor quality air.  Clogged ducts lead to impeding airflow leading to the circulation of dirt air, especially when they are severely damaged to stop filtering air particles before releasing it within your rooms.

Likewise, your air duct clogging may be a result of malfunctioning HVAC unit zone dampers. Dampers are essential in helping your HVAC unit control and utilize the efficient flow of air within your home.  When dampers are clogged, they partially open and get stuck closed or loosen.  These obstruct their ability to allow air to pass through to the ducts to rooms efficiently, thus reducing the entire cooling and heating unit’s peak performance.

Lastly, your air ducts may need quick cleaning when there is physical obstruction.  Normally, obstruction affects the ductwork when elements obstruct their ability to filter and allow a seamless airflow. Debris and dust are the most common culprits for physical obstruction.

 

• Dusty HVAC coils and interiors

 

Despite the model of your HVAC unit, you’ll have two coils, the condenser, and evaporator coils. Your AC evaporator coils work perfectly to locate air in the HVAC system’s air handler, especially for indoor purposes that absorb heat and humidity within your home. On the other hand, the condenser coil operates by locating air in the outdoor section of your HVAC unit. Once outdoor air is located, the condenser coil releases excess heat from inside to outside of your home.  Moreover, both coils work perfectly through a refrigerant. Additionally, air duct issues may be caused by frozen coils. Mostly, a frozen HVAC unit coil stops working when moisture builds up, causing condensation or water leaks.

Moreover, once you notice malfunctioning ducts, be sure also to inspect your thermostat. In essence, the thermostat does regulate the temperature and controls how the AC works in keeping constant temperature. When broken, the thermostat senses unbalanced levels of temperature or fails to control the AC perfectly. When this happens, it causes the HVAC system to run too long and start wearing out, thus affecting the air ducts.

 

• Increased utility bills and uneven airflow

 

Aside from broken parts, your air ducts may need cleaning due to shooting utility bills or uneven airflow, indicating malfunctions and dust or dirt accumulations consecutively. When you notice an uneven flow of air strength within rooms, it means some parts are filled with dust and debris, clogging the efficient flow of air.

As you can see, your ducts are essential parts of your HVAC unit that need regular maintenance and cleaning. However, while some elements are easily noticeable, clogging, increased utility bills, and uneven airflow are indications your ducts need to be cleaned considering the accumulation of obstructive agents.