We all know how important ACs are in Miami heat. However, there won’t be much cooling if your air ducts have been neglected for too long. And aside from letting the heat fill up your personal environment, dirty ducts are a health concern as well, increasing the risk of allergies and breathing difficulties. That said, having your air ducts cleaned from time to time should be on your radar. In case you’re unsure whether your AC has reached the point of cleaning or not, consider the following signs.
1. Dust Is Flowing Out
Once you decide it’s time to switch your AC on it’s important that you pay attention to the air registers. Obviously, they should emit a nice flow of cool air, but there shouldn’t be any dust or debris visible. However, in case you do notice a puff of dust coming out, it might be the time to consider cleaning your ducts.
You can try to fix the issue by cleaning the air registers on your own, but if you continue to notice a puff of dust flowing out every time you turn on your AC, chances are you need to seek professional help due to the accumulated interior dust.
In case you don’t see the dust flowing out clearly but still spot a lot of dust all over your surfaces that accumulates quicker than usual and the only thing that’s changed is your more frequent use of AC, cleaning your ducts may be the solution to this problem, too.
2. There is a Strange Odor
A big telltale sign that you should have your ducts cleaned is a strange odor that seems to spread all over your space with no obvious cause. And if there’s nothing else that you could pin the odor to, the culprit is probably the trapped debris inside your air conditioner.
In order to confirm your suspicions quickly and easily, you can get close to the air register and sniff them. Sometimes though, this simple method won’t be enough and you’ll need to get a proper technician to help you with this. It’s possible that the trapped dust, debris, and even mold emit the strange odor throughout your home, but you can’t really sniff them out on your own.
3. Visible Mold and/or Mildew
Speaking of mold, if the situation has gone awry already, you’ll probably be able to spot the growing mold/mildew growing around your air registers. These are typically black or gray stains.
Not only is it necessary to proceed with a thorough air ducts cleaning if this occurs but your technician should also perform more extensive repairs to pinpoint and fix the issue that causes the mold to grow in the first place.
Growing mold and mildew can be very damaging to your home (or workplace) as well as very dangerous for your health, as they often cause severe breathing problems and allergic reactions.
4. Clogged Ducts and Air Filters
Your AC doesn’t provide the cool flow of air you’re used to. When this happens, you should probably take a look inside the duct by taking off the air registers.
In case you can clearly see a bunch of accumulated debris, dust, pet dander, and so on at the very end of the duct, you might be looking at clogged air ducts.
What’s more, when you change your air filter and notice just how dirty it is from all the dust and debris, the biggest issue might lie in the clogged air filter. Unlike clogged ducts, you might be able to fix the problem of clogged air filters on your own if you make it a point to replace them regularly.
5. Coils Are Packed with Dust
Dust can affect your AC’s functionality in more ways than one. For instance, if you notice that interior parts and coils of your AC are filled with dust, debris, and even mold and mildew, you can be positive that there’s a bigger issue located somewhere inside your air duct system.
Essentially, you want to give your AC a thorough clean and make sure that both the external and peripheral components are dust-free. However, in case the dust reappears suspiciously fast even after cleanup, your entire system might benefit a lot from a professional inspection and repair.
6. The Air Flow is Uneven
In case you notice that some air registers in certain rooms provide a nice and steady flow of air yet other air registers in different rooms seem to lack the air pressure considerably, you’re probably facing a blockage somewhere within your air duct system.
If the problem is caused by trapped dust and debris that is blocking the air ducts, simple AC duct cleaning may be enough to resolve the issue. However, if the whole problem is caused by leaky ducts that have already started showing signs of damage, it’s crucial that you go for a thorough HVAC inspection and call a professional.
7. You Have Never Cleaned Your Air Ducts
When you consider just how long we’ve been enjoying the benefits of AC technology, the awareness of the air quality and necessity to keep the AC clean is a rather recent thing. It’s no wonder then that many homeowners haven’t had their air ducts cleaned or checked at all, from the very moment of installation.
That said, in case your air duct system is 10+ years old and you’re absolutely positive that it hasn’t been cleaned for more than a decade, it’s time to call for professional services. When the air duct system hasn’t been cleaned for that long, you shouldn’t try to do the job on your own and call it done.
It’s crucial that you put trust in true technicians in the field, especially if you live in a hot and humid climate. For instance, it’s a lot more efficient and health-conscious to call for AC duct cleaning Miami service providers than to push yourself to do something you’re not used to, risk your safety, and possibly even damage the air ducts system that has been neglected for many years already.
8. Your Health Seems to Worsen
Do you tend to notice strange health problems every time you turn your AC on and keep it on for a while? Respiratory issues such as coughing, wheezing, and sneezing are all very common when the air duct system is filled with dust, clogged, has mold and mildew growing in it, or is otherwise damaged. Actually, if you’re already prone to allergies, you might even start suffering from asthma attacks and severe breathing complications, as well as daily fatigue and mental fogginess.
These are all very serious health issues that can be triggered by the air quality in your home (or workplace). The debris and toxins that spread out through your personal environment pose a serious danger to your well-being. This is why regular air duct cleaning has to be at the top of your chore list, regardless of whether it’s something you can do on your own or you have to call in a professional.
If you need air conditioning services, reach out to us at Chills Air Conditioning. We’re here to meet all of your residential, commercial and marine needs. From AC sales and installation, to service, maintenance and repair, we are at your service. Call us today!
