Do Air Ducts Need Cleaning: When to Call for HVAC Service
The air you breathe should be clean. It has the potential to affect your health and everyday life if you’re inhaling contaminated air, so you should fix any problems as soon as you can. One solution to contaminated air is often the purchase of an efficient HVAC system. But even when you have the right HVAC system, do the air ducts need cleaning?
You may have assumed that your HVAC unit can self-clean its ducts, since it can easily improve the air quality of your home, but the pollutants that it pulls out of the air have to go somewhere, right? Air ducts can help keep your air clean, but they do tend to need cleaning every once in a while to ensure your air quality remains at a healthy level.
When it comes to cleaning your air ducts, you’re going to want the help of an experienced and licensed HVAC specialist. This cleaning process requires certain tools that most people don’t have, and the best way to ensure the job is being done right is through the help of a company like us. Entek is one of the leading HVAC service providers in the Vancouver, WA, area, with over seven decades of experience under our belt. We’ve seen and serviced air ducts countless times and understand when service has to be completed. Here are a few tips and facts about why air ducts need cleaning and when to call an HVAC service to have it done.
Common Causes for Unclean Air Ducts
There are some reasons that may require you to have your ducts cleaned more often. Depending on your lifestyle, your home may be more susceptible to dander, mold, or build-up in your air ducts.
For instance, are there pets in your home? Animals bring joy to our lives, but oftentimes, they bring a lot of fur too. Pet owners tend to have more dander build-up in their ducts due to the shedding from their animals, especially if their animals are running around the house often. If you’re seeing a lot of hair or fur around your house, that means it’s probably getting in the air ducts as well.
Smoking indoors is another cause for unclean air ducts. Even when smoking in one room with the door shut, the smoke can travel throughout the entire house, especially through the air ducts.
hen this smoke enters an HVAC system, it often becomes stuck in the air ducts. The residue left in the ducts from the smoke can become sticky, making other pollutants such as pollen and dust stick in the duct. Leaking ducts can also pull contaminants such as dust, animal dander, and insulation into the ductwork. Even very small holes will allow these contaminants into our home via the ductwork. The HVAC then recirculates that contaminated air throughout the home.
Mold is another common cause of unclean air ducts. If you live in a place that rains often or has high humidity, mold may have the perfect environment in your ducts. Mold thrives in hot and moist conditions, and if that describes your home or the climate where you live, having your ducts checked and cleaned more often may be a smart idea.
Though these are just a few of the most common causes for unclean air ducts, many other situations can cause pollutants to remain in your air ducts.
When to Call a Professional
You may not be aware that your ducts are in need of service. The signs aren’t always as evident as your entire system malfunctioning, but there are a few things you can be aware of beforehand to help you recognize the signs.
Is anyone in your house suffering from allergy symptoms or respiratory problems or having asthma flare-ups on a regular basis? Is your family experiencing headaches, nausea, or burning sensations in the eyes, nose, or throat while inside the home? These are all potential reactions to unclean air conditions.
Another symptom of unclean air ducts that you should look out for is visible dust. Are you noticing that even after recent dusting surfaces are accumulating dust more quickly than normal? Or did you see dust around the filter area when you last checked it? Dust lingering in the home despite your best cleaning efforts may be a sign that you should call a professional to clean your air ducts. When your HVAC and air ducts are in good working condition, dust won’t be able to accumulate as easily. If you’re noticing any of these signs and are unable to correct them on your own, calling an HVAC service should be your next step.
What Does Air Duct Cleaning Entail?
When you inquire about air duct cleaning with an HVAC company, you should get more than just a quick dusting. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you hire a trusted professional, someone with credentials, licensing, and testimonials.
Professional HVAC servicing companies like Entek begin by giving you a free estimate and upfront pricing. We don’t have hidden add-on fees, which is why we thoroughly explain the service and quote an accurate price upfront. After having an estimate done and making an appointment, your ducts will be cleaned with some of the most advanced equipment available. At Entek, we utilize three-stage filters in our industry-regulated vacuum system to ensure that all contaminants are removed.
We safely remove these indoor contaminates over a four- to seven-hour period, leaving you with 99.97 percent dust-free air ducts when we’re finished. This process is also able to eliminate decades’ worth of pet odors that may have accumulated over time. There’s no better way to make sure that you’re left with the cleanest air ducts possible and better indoor air quality.
In addition, Entek offers Aeroseal duct sealing. Aeroseal is a technologically advanced method of sealing your ducts from the inside-out. Leaky ducts can help account for poor air quality in your space and can decrease the energy efficiency of your HVAC system substantially. Along with duct cleaning, quality sealing will ensure you’re getting the most out of your system and breathing the best air you can be.
If you’re questioning whether your air ducts need cleaning, having a professional assess the situation is a safe way to ease your worries. Experienced HVAC servicing companies like Entek are equipped with the tools and knowledge to inspect your system and service it if needed. Have your air ducts cleaned soon to improve your indoor air quality and give your home a fresh restart.
