Most homeowners aren’t in the habit of sticking their heads into their ductwork to see how clean or dirty the ductwork is. Plus, doing that won’t give you much of a perspective because you won’t be able to see all that much of your ductwork anyhow. So how do you know if your ductwork is dirty? Here are some telltale signs to stay aware of:
- Excessive amounts of dust in your home – if you clean regularly but notice that you still have copious amounts of dust on furniture, etc., there is a good chance you have dust blowing into your home from your ductwork.
- Sneezing every time your HVAC starts up – dirty ductwork can be a wonderful environment for allergens to proliferate, and the blowing air delivers these allergens right into your home’s living spaces. If you or your family members experience sneezing fits every time your HVAC system starts a new cycle, it’s a good idea to call for duct cleaning.
- Strange smells – it isn’t something any homeowner likes to think about, but your dirty ductwork can be a haven for mold, mildew and fungus to thrive. This is because it is dark and, during the summer months, cool, and the dust and dirt provide fertile ground for these contaminants to grow. The best way to tell these kinds of contaminants have taken root is by a stale odor that will blow with your cool air as your AC runs.
- Higher than normal energy bills – while excessive dust and dirt won’t likely clog your ductwork, it can, and will, restrict air flow if there’s enough of it. When the air flow in your system is restricted, the system has to work harder to do its normal work, and working harder means using more energy.
Trained HVAC professionals have the training, skills and tools to make sure every nook and cranny of your ductwork is thoroughly cleaned. If you are seeing the signs that your ductwork in Westwood, NJ needs cleaning, call the experts at DB Heating & Cooling today!