As you notice the unrelenting dust that settles on your furniture, window ledges and kitchen counters, you may be wondering about the dust that you can’t see—the dust that has settled in your home’s ductwork. This is why you may be pondering a good question: Should air ducts be cleaned?
It helps to concede the obvious: dust has in fact settled in your ducts. The danger here is that every time your air conditioner or furnace turns on, the cool or warm air that circulates through your ducts carries along the dust and other pollutants that may be lodged within them. This is exactly why some people who suffer from asthma, allergies and upper respiratory infections insist on getting their ducts cleaned every year. It’s a small investment they’re happy to make if it improves indoor air quality.
For everyone else, even the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) doesn’t recommend that air ducts be cleaned on a routine basis. But there are several conditions that should motivate you to consider making a duct cleaning appointment:
- If you’re dealing with mold problems or suspect an outgrowth of mold, especially after a flooding incident.
- If you suspect that your ducts have become a haven for insects or rodents.
- If you’ve just finished even a small building or remodeling project, including window replacement, at your home.
- If you find a clump of dust underneath your registers.
- If you have pets or if someone in your home smokes indoors.
- If you notice that there’s more than the usual difference in temperature or air quality in your home. In other words, it’s natural that your second story’s warmer than the first. But if the air is stifling hot and uncomfortable, the airflow’s probably not as healthy as it could be.
Should air ducts be cleaned in your home?For more information about duct cleaning and a professional opinion of your home’s indoor air quality, contact the pros at Senica Air Conditioning, Inc.. We’re proud to serve homeowners in and around Clearwater, Tampa and St. Petersburg.
