We know, life gets busy, and things slip through the cracks. Between figuring out what’s for dinner and the kids extracurriculars, your air vents are probably the last thing on your mind. You’re probably thinking it’s a good thing the house got vacuumed, much less than what’s happening with the vents, HVAC system, or its components. Nonetheless, we’re here to be that echoing reminder to not ignore your air ducts and vents. Neglect can lead to serious consequences, especially in the northeast where seasonal swings and urban density have quite the impact on air quality.
Typically, it’s advised you do a yearly HVAC inspection, and based on the inspection the tech can advise whether you should get your vents cleaned or not. You can read more about our HVAC Maintenance service here. If you choose to forgo inspections, cleaning should be done about every two years.
So what happens if air ducts are not cleaned? Well today we’re going to break down what happens when you put your HVAC system on the backburner and skip out on crucial maintenance.
Improper Airflow and System Strain
The amount of dust bunnies floating around your living room can be directly impacting your air vents, it’s no wonder that the question of ‘do air ducts need to be cleaned?’ can eventually come to mind. Air vents are easy to ignore, but they can house a fair share of dust, debris, hair, fluff, and everything in between. It’s important that they’re kept up to par.
Can dirty air ducts affect air conditioning? Absolutely. When clogged, your system logically has to work harder to push air through the vents and into your living space. This leads to increased wear and tear, longer heating and cooling cycles, and uneven temperatures across rooms. The extra work your HVAC puts into functioning under such circumstances can directly impact its lifespan and functionality.
Increased Bills
We’ve said it before, but we’ll say it again. When your system has to work harder, it uses more energy, and in turn increases your energy bills. According to NADCA, clean ducts and vents can improve efficiency by up to 40%, and in expensive parts of town (like Manhattan) that can be a pretty penny in your pocket. Can you clean your own air ducts? The vent portion sure, but the inner ductwork requires professional equipment and reach. Nonetheless, if your power bill looks odd and you don’t know why, dirty ducts and vents could be the reason.
Poor Air Quality
Let’s be honest, the pollution in NY and NJ are on the hefty side of things. So if going by the EPA reports that say indoor air quality can be 2-5 times worse, can you imagine what you’re breathing? Here at Green Ductors, we’re all for good air quality. Remember, your vents tend to suck in everything and anything (think dust mites, mold spores, pollen, pet dander, and so forth).
Your HVAC system is then kind enough to disperse and recirculate all of that goodness throughout your home. We don’t advise it, especially if you or those in your home already suffer from things like allergies, asthma, or other respiratory issues. Having dirty vents can just make things worse. And if you aren’t convinced, consider having some indoor air quality testing done. Our team will be happy to help in this regard, and you can read more about that service here.
Mold and Contaminants
All that extra fluff, dust, and dirt that’s lurking in and on your vents is a perfect breeding ground for mold. It’s easy for moisture to get trapped in all that gunk and for mold to subsequently grow. And as we’ve already mentioned, the HVAC is good at spreading everything each time it turns on. So flood prone areas (like Hoboken for example) should be extra cautious. If you notice a musty smell coming from your vents, or worse, you visibly see mold, don’t hesitate, and call our team today for remediation.
Safety Hazards
Alright, there’s a couple of things that can go into this category. For one, fire hazards, for two creepy crawlies. As we all should know, dust and lint are pretty darn flammable, so heaven forbid a spark travels to the wrong place. Especially dangerous for homes with forced air furnaces or electric baseboard heating. And then there’s pests and vermin. That’s right, rodents and insects love dark and dusty ductwork. They can nest, defecate, and even die inside your system. Not only unsanitary, but can also be dangerous for your health. If you notice strange noises (like scratching inside walls), or odd droppings by your vents, it’s time to give the professionals a ring.
Funky Smells
That’s right, dust and friends are great at trapping lingering odors. And if your vents are dirty, they will more than likely become smelly in due time. Smells from cooking, pets, smoke, and cleaning products can all settle into the warm fuzziness of your ducts and vents. And every time your system kicks on, they’ll be beautifully distributed throughout your home. So if you’ve cleaned everything, and can’t put your finger on why your house still smells, your vents could be the cause.
System Damage
Let’s put it this way, your HVAC isn’t a fan of overworking. When vents are dirty, the system has to work harder to move air. This extra strain can damage essential components. It can lead to overheating, motor failure, coil damage, and so forth. HVAC systems aren’t cheap. It’s much more cost effective to properly maintain the system and keep the vents clean instead of replacing the system all together.
Our Last Two Cents
We mentioned it above, but in case you didn’t catch it and are still wondering “How often should you have your air ducts cleaned”? Well, we advise you to get your ducts cleaned about every 2 years, or more frequently if you have pets, or suffer from allergies. You should get a cleaning in the books beforehand if you notice musty odors, visible mold or pests, rising bills, or flat out dust blowing out of your ducts. DIY cleaning can be applicable for your vent covers and its surroundings, but we wouldn’t recommend deep diving into your duct system. If you go poking around places you shouldn’t, you could cause more damage than good, so leave the deep cleaning to the professionals.
Duct cleaning isn’t just about efficiency, but health too. Especially when you live in areas like New York or New Jersey where pollution has its toll. Don’t wait for problems to come about. Keep an eye on your system, schedule yearly maintenance checks, and stay on top of cleanings and filter changes. Green Ductors is your NADCA certified team of professionals that will help keep the air in your home in tip top shape. So don’t hesitate to reach out today, whether it be for air quality testing, annual maintenance, or duct cleaning. We’re just a call away, at 888-334-1612
