6 Signs it’s Time to Clean your Dirty Air Ducts

09 Aug 6 Signs it’s Time to Clean your Dirty Air Ducts

Kingsport, TN

You may keep an immaculate home. However, your air ducts are one of the easiest areas of your home to overlook. No matter how clean you keep the habitable parts of your house, your air ducts attract dirty, dust, and debris over time. That muck can easily build up, if left unchecked, until blockages form and cause for a dirty, inefficient duct system. Regular HVAC maintenance is a good idea, in order to avoid this.

Here are some signs that it’s time to consider getting your air ducts cleaned

1. Clogged Air Filters – In general, it’s best to change your air filters approximately every 90 days. If you have dust or pet dander allergies, installing a new filter every 60 days is an even better option. Your air filters trap these contaminants and prevent them from circulating throughout your home. These contaminants can build up if excessive time passes without replacing your filter.
2. Dirty vent covers – Have a look at each of your home’s vent covers. If you notice significant dirt or debris buildup, there are likely contaminant blockages in your ductwork. Dirty air ducts usually lead to dirty vent covers.
3. Visible mold – Mildew and mold in air ducts are rough on allergies and respiratory conditions of all kinds. It’s fast-growing and can cause structural damage to the home if left unchecked. Once mold takes hold, it can be hard to remove. Preemptively cleaning your HVAC ducts is the best course of action.
4. Noisy, smelly air ducts – The faint hum of your HVAC motor should be the predominant sound you hear from your system. Pops or rattles could indicate a blockage in your ducts and a good time to schedule a cleaning. Unpleasant odors coming from the ducts could indicate mold, mildew or an infestation of vermin. An HVAC inspector can determine if any problems exist in your ducts.
5. Weak airflow – If certain rooms in your home are always much colder than others, this could mean there is a blockage somewhere in the ducts. Make sure all your vents are open, and schedule a cleaning to ensure any buildup that could be blocking your air supply is remediated.
6. Unusually high power bills – Your heating and cooling bills should be pretty easy to predict at certain times of the year, based on the energy you use for the seasons. If you notice an usual spike, that could indicate an issue in your system, as it has to use more energy than usual to heat or cool your home at your desired temperatures. Dirt, dust and debris can prevent your HVAC system from running efficiently, so be sure to get that ductwork cleaning scheduled with Thompson Electrical Service.

HVAC Repair in in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee

Thompson Electrical Service is proud to offer a new property maintenance program for commercial and residential property owners in the Tri-Cities. That includes maintenance and cleaning of your air ducts, which are vital to the healthy flow of air throughout your home in all seasons. Disruptions to that airflow can impact your home’s comfort, utility bills and possibly your health.

The professionals at Thompson Electrical Service are expertly trained to handle all your HVAC property maintenance needs. We are proud of the great reputation we’ve built in communities all across the Tri-Cities for the past 15 years. For routine checks, emergency diagnostics and repairs of your air ducts, give us a call at (423) 343-5726 or schedule an appointment online.