Many homeowners can’t remember the last time they thought about their air ducts. This is not surprising because ductwork, like wiring, is hidden behind walls and functions silently. It is only after something goes wrong with the ductwork that homeowners consider it.
Ductwork can get very dirty because it is a system of hidden pathways throughout your home that captures particulates generated inside your home, as well as dust and other contaminants from the outside. It only takes a few years for the ductwork to get very dirty.
Fortunately, ductwork has ways of letting you know when it needs to be cleaned. You just have to pay attention. It can display signs that let you know it needs cleaning through your health and/or home’s energy usage, among others. If you are a homeowner in Utah, you should be on the lookout for these signs because Utah has a very dry climate, which can contribute to dust buildup.
The following information details the signs ductwork has of letting you know it needs cleaning. It also provides information on when it is necessary to contact the professionals at Air Duct Cleaning Provo or Air Duct Cleaning Park City.
Sign One: Indicators Around Your Air Vents
Some signs of poor IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) can be observed firsthand. One place to look is air vent covers. Using a flashlight, check the registers (grills) in walls, ceilings and floors. If you see mold, dirt or dust built up on the slats, or if there are dark, dirt streaks along the edges, then the dirt and dust in those ducts is likely getting blown into that room.
Other indicators of IAQ issues include:
- Brownian motion of dust when your heating or air conditioning system kicks on. If dust is being blown out of the vents when the system turns on, then dust is built up and trapped in the ducts.
- Dark rings on supply air (outgoing air) registers. Like the rings on return air (incoming air) registers, these rings are likely the result of air borne pollutants.
- Reciling Dust. If your flat screens or books are always covered in a dust, the problem may not be with your housekeeping. Dust may be blown out of the vents and ducts.
- Things stuck in your air ducts. Dirt, dust and other debris may be built up in your air ducts. Inspect your ducts to verify.
- Pests in your air ducts. Pests in your HVAC system may also be the result of dirt and dust built up in your air ducts.
It’s good to understand that the dust in your ductwork is composed of a variety of other items such as fabric, skin, pet dander, pollen and dust from outdoors. All of these contaminants settle in your ductwork, and get disturbed and spread throughout your house whenever your blower is on.
If you have any of the signs of ductwork distress, especially if you have multiple signs, then you likely need a professional assessment. The Park City Air Duct Cleaners, for example, are local, and have the equipment and expertise to evaluate your situation and let you know if your ductwork is in good condition or if it needs to be cleaned.
Sign Two: The Air Within Your Home Affects Your Health
Some signs that people notice in their indoor air quality and relate to dusty conditions are:
- -Frequent unexplained sneezing and stuffy nose.
- -Itchy and watery eyes, usually first thing in the morning.
- -Dry and scratchy throat and cough that doesn’t go away.
- -Aggravation of allergies and asthma symptoms at home.
- -Recurring headaches and fatigue when at home.
Duct cleaning is a service that a company can offer, and is not related to the improvement of a person’s health and related conditions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a published report on duct cleaning and states that routine duct cleaning will not improve the health conditions of a person and may potentially be detrimental. The EPA states that there are conditions where duct cleaning is justified. These conditions may include visible growth of mold in the ducts, pest infestation, and heavy buildup of dust and debris.
In the field of duct cleaning, an honest evaluation of the ducts by a service provider is warranted. It is always in the best interest of a service provider to perform a duct cleaning, as a heavily soiled duct will be a large source of airborne contaminants after it is cleaned. However, a relatively clean duct will not have much of an effect after a cleaning. The best service providers in Provo, Utah are known for honest evaluations of a home’s ducts and will only perform a cleaning when it is truly necessary.
Homes with pets, smokers, young children, and family members with allergies tend to build up more dust, pollen and other airborne contaminants and therefore, require more frequent air duct cleanings. Construction (i.e. sanding drywall or flooring) may result in dust being deposited in the ductwork as well.
Sign Three: Your HVAC System is Working Too Hard
An HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) system is designed to move air freely throughout the building. When ducts become obstructed with dust and dirt, the free movement of air through the system is restricted and the HVAC system must work harder to move air to and from the various rooms to be heated or cooled.
Signs the HVAC system is working too hard may include:
- Temperature differences in different rooms.
- Weak air movement through the vents.
- Increasing energy costs to run the HVAC system.
- The HVAC system takes a long time to reach the temperature set on the thermostat.
- Frequent clogging of the HVAC filters.
Long-term neglected ducts put additional stress on the blower motor, heat exchanger, and other elements of the HVAC system. This increases the likelihood that a component will break and failure will occur prematurely.
Duct systems in homes located in higher elevations take the most abuse. Park City has long, cold, and dry winters. The constant use of the HVAC system to warm and dry the air causes the duct system to become clogged with dust. Because of this, many Park City residents have their air ducts cleaned and inspected to ensure that they are prepared for the long and cold HVAC system use that is to come.
Other signs include:
· Moisture is present along an HVAC duct.
· Visible mold is located on an HVAC duct.
A musty odor is present and is caused by the growth of mold in the HVAC duct system.
Burning odor when furnace is turned on. A faint burning odor at the start of the heating season is normal as the dust on the heating element to elements burns off. A strong burning odor should be further evaluated.
Unpleasant or rotting odors. Possible indication of an animal or nest in the heating system.
Smoke or cooking odors. Odors can be trapped in the duct work for long periods of time.
Mold near a vent or on duct work should be investigated. A visible mold means moisture is also present and should be evaluated by a professional.
Fine particles can be trapped in the duct work. These particles along with odors can take a long time to dissipate. A seasonal wildfire and inversion can make particles and odors trapped in the duct work for long periods of time. If residents notice long lasting odors and dust, they should consider contacting a duct cleaning company.
When Should You Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned?
There is not a set air duct cleaning schedule. Most HVAC professionals say air ducts should be checked every few years and cleaned if needed. On average air ducts in a household should be cleaned every 3 to 5 years. There are several cases where air ducts should be checked and/or cleaned before the 3 to 5 year average.
You should have your air ducts cleaned if:
- You have just moved in to a new house and don’t know the maintenance history.
- You just completed a large construction or renovation project.
- You have a lot of shedding pets.
- There are people in your house that have respiratory issues, allergies, or asthma.
- There are pests in your house.
- There is mold or water damage in your house.
- It has been more than 5 years since your air ducts have been checked.
If your air ducts need to be checked or cleaned and the average time since your last cleaning is less than 3 to 5 years you can still do the following to lessen the dust build up.
- Replace your air filters.
- Vacuum air ducts vents and registers.
- Don’t block air ducts.
- Seal gaps in your duct work.
While all of these things help in the long run, they do not fully replace a professional duct cleaning.
Things To Know When Choosing The Right Company To Clean Your Air Ducts
There are many companies that clean air ducts but not all of them do a thorough job. Also, a lot of air duct cleaning companies have poor business ethics and practices.
If a company offers to clean your ducts, they should have the right equipment. The equipment should include large vacuums and brushes that can scrape the dirt and debris from the inside of your air ducts.
Look for transparency. Reliable companies will provide before and after photos, describe their findings, and give an explanation and cost estimate in writing.
Inspect potential contractors’ reviews and licenses. Check if they have experience with the type of system you have.
Make sure the company will clean the entire HVAC system, including the supply and return air ducts, registers, the blower and other components that are visible. A trustworthy company will not clean your ducts if they don’t need it.
There are differences between the homes and HVAC systems in Park City and in Provo. Provo has more older homes with construction dust and older duct work and a higher percentage of newer homes with dusty and recently built systems. Homes in Park City are often larger and more custom, and may have a central HVAC system that services multiple zones. The trustworthy HVAC and air duct cleaning companies in Provo and Park City have the experience to evaluate and service HVAC systems in your area.
It is best to address issues with your home’s HVAC systems before they become major issues. Many issues with your home’s HVAC systems can be overlooked and appear to be small problems. If the issues are not addressed, your systems can become less effective and less efficient. This can cause dust and other pollutants to build up in your home and increase your home’s utility costs.
Walk through your home this week. Check your HVAC vents with a flashlight. See if the dust returns quickly. Notice if any odors are produced when the HVAC is first turned on. See if air in certain rooms feels stuffy or uncomfortable. If you see any of the aforementioned conditions, or if it has been awhile since your HVAC ducts have been assessed, then you are justified in having your HVAC system assessed.
If you reside in the Park City, Utah area, contact the company that has the best reviews for air duct assessments and cleanings. If you are in the Provo area contact the company that has the best reviews for air duct assessments and cleanings. You will be given an assessment of your air ducts and an estimate for air duct cleaning. Clean ducts improve the air quality in your home and give you the knowledge that accumulated dust in your home is no longer circulating through the air.
