If your home’s air conditioner is not performing as well as it should for this upcoming Spring and Summer seasons, it could be due to dirty ductwork and a clogged unit. Dirty ducts account for almost 40% of poor airflow in the average home and if you haven’t had your system cleaned in a while, it is definitely time to call ABC Cleaning, your local professionals to come out and have it serviced.
Why Dirty Ducts Cause Bad Performance
When the ductwork in your home is filled with dust, dirt and debris, the air is unable to flow smoothly throughout the vents and can cause your home to become dirty, unhealthy and a health hazard. Although your air filters are able to catch SOME of these particles, the rest is recycled back into the ductwork and flows into your home. Your home’s air conditioning unit then has to work twice as hard to pump out the same amount of air through the vents, causing it to wear and tear faster and decrease the lifespan of the unit.
Unhealthy Indoor Air During the Spring & Summer
A dirty AC system can produce unhealthy or even toxic air that fills up your home’s interior. Although you may not notice the polluted air at first, you may feel the effects overtime. This is especially true if you have allergies, asthma or any respiratory condition. Along with an air purifier, having your home’s air conditioning unit and your ductwork professionally cleaned will solve many of the issues in your ducts.
How Often Should Your Ducts be Cleaned?
According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), you should have the air ducts cleaned every three to five years. If your HVAC system needs cleaning more than once a year, there may be a problem with the system that is allowing dirt to infiltrate the components.
What Causes Air Ducts to Become Dirty?
There are several contributing factors that determine how dirty the duct systems will get. The climate in which you live may determine what type of substances clog your vents or build up in your ducts and other indicators of what is causing the ducts to get dirty may include:
- Dusty build-up around the outside of the vent
- Excessive debris around the filter
- Visibly thick dirt in ducts
- Noticeable bursts of rubbish exiting supply registers
- Mold or mildew smell present in the airflow from vents
- Visible Vermin or Pest Infestation