When you think about your indoor air quality, the ductwork attached to your air conditioner may not be the first thing you think of. But it should be near the top of the list. There’s only so much cleaning that you can do to help maintain good indoor air quality and clean surfaces.
If your ductwork is cycling dust back through with clean air, you’re working against a bigger problem. You need to schedule a duct cleaning in Orlando, FL. In the meantime, you can keep reading to learn four signs that can indicate a need for duct cleaning services. We’re also highlighting the standard frequency for scheduling this valuable service so you’ll know in the future and can plan ahead.
Increase in Dust
If it seems like your home is dustier than usual, that may not be your imagination. Dust can build up inside of the ductwork attached to your HVAC system and then mix in with clean air to blow out into your home. This happens for a couple of different reasons.
First, it is inevitable that some dust makes it through your system, even with a fantastic air filter in place. But your ductwork also wears down over time and develops small holes, usually around the seals where joints attach.
As these holes open up, dust from inside of your attic or basement can get into the ductwork. At first, this isn’t a super huge problem. But as months and years go by, dust buildup can become significant enough that it is obvious around your home.
Changes in Indoor Air Quality
You may also notice that your indoor air quality is poor compared to what you are used to. The air around your home may begin to smell bad or simply feel heavy. With poor indoor air quality, it’s more likely that you get sick or suffer from allergy symptoms. If you notice that you or any of your family members are getting sick more often or suffering from more severe allergy symptoms, dirty ductwork may be to blame for lowering your indoor air quality.
Rattling Sounds
When ductwork seals begin to loosen up and joints are not as secure, you may hear rattling as airflow moves through the system. It is normal to hear gentle rattling for a few seconds when your air conditioner first starts up for a cooling cycle because the delicate material may be expanding or contracting with temperature changes. But the rattling should not persist through an entire cooling cycle. If it does, that’s a red flag that your ductwork needs to be tested for holes and resealed.
Lack of Cooling
It’s also possible that you notice a lack of cooling because conditioned air is escaping before it ever reaches your home. The same holes that are allowing dust and dirt into the ductwork are also allowing cold air to escape.
Sometimes ductwork damage is limited to a particular area of your home. You may notice a lack of cooling or any of the other above signs in a single room or area of your home. But it is equally possible that the lack of cooling is widespread and affects more than just a single room, if not your entire home.
Are you ready to talk about the options for repairing the duct system in your home? Contact the English Air team today to discuss your specific AC needs.