Is Air Duct Cleaning What I need?

dirty air ducts

According to Energy Star, the average home is losing around 20 to 30% of the air that moves through their system in the ductwork. Which is quite a lot and makes your HVAC system very inefficient.

This loss in the air is usually from things such as leaks, holes, or dirty ductwork. Which is what we are going to cover today. How your ductwork works and if you need air duct cleaning. The answer to that question may surprise you!

Let's take a look.

Why You Don't Want Dirty Air Ducts

First, let's discuss the reasons why you don't want dirty air ducts. Dirty air ducts can become a breeding ground for mold, mildew, bacteria, and other allergens. These contaminants can cause respiratory problems, including asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

Dirty air ducts can also lead to poor indoor air quality, which can trigger allergies and other health problems as well!

We also already mentioned the amount of air that you lose when your air ducts are not properly maintained.

Lastly, this can be a place where vermin set up nests. Yes, even pests can get into your ductwork and create nests inside of them.

So, as you can see, there are quite a few important reasons as to why you don't want to have dirty air ducts. Now that we've covered that, let's talk about air duct cleaning itself.

air duct cleaning in a home

What is Air Duct Cleaning

As you might have guessed, air duct cleaning is when an HVAC professional comes out and... well cleans your air ducts. Now at first, this may seem like the right thing to do. After all your ducts are dirty, why not get them cleaned right away and prevent all of the things we discussed earlier from happening.

It's actually a misconception that you should get your air ducts cleaned. Having your air ducts cleaned is not a necessary service and can be considered a bad marketing scheme by HVAC companies.

You should never have to actually clean your air ducts unless it's the last resort of a temporary fix. Why? Well because if you have dirty air ducts, it means that your HVAC system is not working properly. Air ducts shouldn't get dirty and if they do, that means there is an issue going on.

So, if you were to clean them... the issue will still be there and you'll have to clean them again shortly after. The only way to fix the issue is to find the source of it and nip it in the bud there once and for all.

Air Duct Cleaning Vs. Fixing the Issue

If your air ducts are dirty, it means that there is an issue with your system. This could be anything from a leak to holes, to poor airflow, and even poorly sealed ducts.

The important thing to remember is that air duct cleaning is not a necessary service and should only be done as a last resort. Air duct cleaning may seem like the solution, but it's really just a band-aid fix.

Dirty air ducts come from one of the following:

  1. Poor installation
  2. Improper insulation
  3. Dirty systems
  4. Bad airflow
  5. Leaks in your ductwork
  6. Poorly sealed system

One of these is going to be the culprit of your air duct issue. Having an HVAC professional come out will help you determine what the problem is and find a permanent solution, rather than cleaning your ductwork and then returning again for the same service over and over.

dirty HVAC system that needs air duct cleaning

How to Tell if You Have Diry Air Ducts

So how do you know if your air ducts need to be cleaned? Here are a few signs that indicate it’s time for air duct cleaning:

  • Visible mold or mildew growth on air duct surfaces
  • Excessive dust buildup in the home
  • Unexplained respiratory problems
  • Increased allergy symptoms
  • Musty odors coming from the vents
  • Issues with your air quality
  • Noticeable issues with your HVAC system providing the heating or cooling it normally provides

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to get on Google and search for "air duct cleaning near me". They can come out and take a look at your air ducts to determine what the problem is and how to fix it... permanently. That is as long as you find a reputable HVAC company that understands this!

HVAC Maintenance

HVAC maintenance is important for a number of reasons. Not only does it help keep your system running smoothly and efficiently, but it also helps prevent problems such as dirty air ducts.

Dirty air ducts are one of the many problems that can be caused by a poorly maintained HVAC system. By having regular HVAC maintenance done on your system, you can help prevent these issues from happening.

In addition to air duct cleaning, HVAC maintenance can also include things such as changing air filters and checking refrigerant levels. All of these are important in keeping your system running properly.

If you're not sure what kind of HVAC maintenance you should be doing, talk to an HVAC professional.

quality air after a home energy audit

Home Energy Audits

Another way to keep your HVAC system running as it should be is by having a home energy audit. A professional HVAC specialist will come out to your home and audit everything that is relevant to effectively and efficiently running your HVAC system.

They'll be able to provide you with the details of what is working correctly, what is not working, and what needs to be done!

A home energy audit cost is usually around $100 to $200 or $0.08 per square foot. But the savings you'll get by reducing your utility bills from having the audit done will pay for itself in no time.

If you're looking for a home energy audit in Huntsville, AL, be sure to give us a call here at Thomas Service Company. We're your local HVAC specialists in Alabama and Tennessee!

Air Duct Cleaning in Huntsville, AL

If you're looking for an HVAC company that does air duct cleaning the right way, look no further than Thomas Service Company! We'll come out and take a look at your air ducts to determine what the problem is and how best to solve it.

We understand that your air ducts are important and we'll do everything we can to ensure they are clean and working properly.

We also offer HVAC Maintenance & Home Energy Audits, we focus on providing quality service that will save you money in the long run. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our professional and friendly HVAC team in Huntsville, AL!

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