Just like a motorbike or a microwave, your home’s air conditioning system will work much better when it is well-maintained. After all, these machines will slowly deteriorate without any care, losing their performance and efficiency and, ultimately, their utility.
So, if you’re sitting here today wondering if your home’s cooling system needs maintenance, specifically the air ducts, you’re in luck. Here are the signs you need to get started cleaning your dirty air ducts:
1. There’s Discoloration in Your Home
Your home might have discoloration on the ceiling, walls, or floor. This discoloration is considered dirt and mold. Over time, the air in your ducts gets filled with undesired materials, which could eventually damage the air conditioner. This discolored material also reduces your home’s energy efficiency. You also might notice that the smell of mold is prevalent inside of your home. You can detect this smell with the help of a mold detector, which is widely available on the market.
2. Different Parts of Your Home is Hot and Cold
Homeowners sometimes complain about how the air conditioner is not evenly cooling their home. This problem is caused by having clogged air ducts. That clogging prevents the system from being able to make the airflow throughout your home, especially in the most heat-stricken areas. This can cause uneven cooling, and it may even be a safety problem. The air conditioner doesn’t get enough cool air to circulate throughout your home, so it will not be able to maintain an efficient temperature.
3. There are Fans that are Noisy
Fans and blowers are responsible for pushing the air through their respective systems. However, these fans and blowers can get clogged. If that happens, they can make a rattling sound, which is usually a sign that they need to be cleaned. This rattling sound is usually caused by fragments of dirt being pushed through the system by the fan. You can clean the fans by vacuuming or by using a compressed air hose to dislodge the debris.
4. The Air Ducts are Hot
When the air ducts are clogged, the air does not flow as easily and freely as it used to. You most likely will receive less air from your air conditioner unit. This problem can also cause the air ducts to become hot and warm, which isn’t good for the ducts or your home’s living conditions. They will only become hotter due to the lack of airflow.
5. The Air Smells Bad
If your home’s air smells bad, that’s a problem. The odor might have originated in the ducts. There are times when the ducts are not properly sealed, and the air gets out of the ducts. The material inside the ducts will emit an unpleasant smell, especially if there is a presence of mold or bacteria. Of course, your home’s ducts could have other problems that can cause the smell, too. For example, there could be a gas leak coming from your home’s piping.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped you spot air duct issues. You should clean your air ducts if you want to make sure that your home’s cooling system is efficiently functioning. If your home’s ducts are dirty, you will notice that the air that comes out of the vents is not as cool as it used to be. You will also notice that there’s more dust inside your home. Having dirty air ducts can lead to mold spores and dust buildup. That dust can then get into your home’s air, causing a health hazard. If you notice any of these problems, do get started cleaning your air ducts. If you need help, feel free to reach out to professionals for help!
Environmental Mold LLC is a full-service mold and indoor air quality consulting firm offering services to help homeowners live in cleaner, healthier homes. If you are looking for indoor air quality consultants in California to help you determine whether your air ducts need cleaning, reach out to us today!