You may not be able to see the dirty ducts in your Gilbert, AZ home. However, the debris and particulate matter inside your ducting can have a profound effect on HVAC efficiency and monthly expenses. Not to mention, it can decrease the quality of your indoor air. We here at A/C & Plumbing Doctors want to help you understand how routine inspections, maintenance, and repairs can help reduce your HVAC expenses and protect your household budget.
Restricting Airflow Inside Your HVAC System
If there is particulate matter, debris, mold, or pest excrement inside your ductwork, this restricts airflow through your HVAC system. When air is having difficulty circulating, this forces your HVAC system to work harder to meet temperature demands and to simply function. This process consumes more energy, which increases your monthly utility bills. This also increases your carbon footprint, which is bad for the environment.
Issues With Comfort
A restriction in airflow also impacts your comfort. Your HVAC system may work harder to provide warm or cool air. However, it may never be able to keep up. This results in warm or cold spots and issues with humidity. Your indoor air quality will suffer as well, resulting in a high prevalence of particulate matter. Allergy, asthma, and other physical symptoms can make you uncomfortable and prevent you from sleeping well. You may adjust your thermostat to try and compensate, which can lead to inefficiencies.
HVAC Wear and Tear
Overworking your HVAC system can also lead to premature damage of interior components. You may notice you are scheduling more frequent repairs or need to replace your heating or cooling equipment more frequently than is typical. Parts that commonly experience damage are the blower motor and evaporator coil. Both these components can be expensive to fix, especially if the damage is extensive.
Should I Clean My Furnace and Ductwork?
Not only can clean ducts protect your HVAC equipment, but they also protect your indoor air quality. Breathe easier by scheduling a duct cleaning every three to five years, or more frequently if you or someone in your home suffers from allergies or breathing problems. Professionals can inspect the interior of your ductwork using special camera equipment. This provides valuable information regarding how dirty your ducts are and if there is damage present.
Ducts are cleaned by sealing vents and registers and working on them one at a time. This prevents debris from being pushed into different areas of your residence. Then, a vacuum collection device will be used to pull debris out of your ducting. Rotating brushes and other tools can help loosen particulates during the process. A post-cleaning inspection will determine that surfaces are immaculate, and everything is functioning properly.
Moisture and Condensation Considerations
If you have any condensation inside your ductwork or there is moisture on the exterior of the ducting, this can indicate issues with insulation, cracks and gaps, or airflow problems. Moisture promotes the growth of mold, which is dangerous to your health. High levels of humidity can also make your indoor environment feel warmer than it is. This can lead to overuse of your HVAC system and raise your monthly bills.
Condensation can come from a few places. If the relative humidity in your home is higher than 50%, you’re at risk of condensation and moisture accumulation. We recommend the use of a hygrometer or smart thermostat with hygrometer technology to monitor indoor humidity. You can remove excess moisture using a whole-home dehumidifier installed onto your HVAC system.
You should ensure your HVAC drain line is free of debris and mineral deposits. If water backs up and leaks out of the line, this moisture can make its way into your ductwork.
Make sure you’re keeping up with filter changes. Changing your filter every one to three months ensures your HVAC system experiences normal airflow. Slow airflow can prevent evaporation of moisture, leading to more condensation inside your ductwork.
Signs Your Ducts Need Cleaning
Recognizing it’s time to get your ducts cleaned can help protect HVAC efficiency and lower your monthly bills. It’s always beneficial to get the opinion of a professional as well. Don’t attempt a DIY duct cleaning, as this can do more harm than good. Professionals have specific equipment that is safe for your ducts and HVAC system.
Visual Indications
Look around your vents and registers to see if there is a large presence of dust and debris. You should wipe these surfaces down, but it’s important to consider scheduling a duct cleaning. In extreme cases, you may see a small puff of dust emerge from your vents when your HVAC system first turns on.
Frequently Dirty Filters
If your HVAC filter gets clogged frequently, there may be a lot of particulate matter in your ducts that’s circulating. Needing to change your filter more than once per month indicates it’s time to schedule a routine inspection and duct cleaning.
Rising Utility Bills
There are several issues that can cause rising energy bills. Dirty ductwork is one of them. Dirty ducts impact airflow, diminish indoor comfort, and force you to run your HVAC system more frequently. It’s a good idea to enlist the help of professionals to rule out other serious HVAC problems.
Experiencing Health Issues
If you’re experiencing frequent sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes, indoor air quality and dirty ducts may be to blame. Other symptoms caused by poor IAQ include things like headaches, nausea, and dizziness. If you have mold present in your ducts, you can experience brain fog, gastrointestinal issues, and fatigue.
The Presence of Pests
If you suspect there are pests in your ductwork, now is the time to act. Rodents and insects can leave waste material behind that will impact your HVAC efficiency and indoor air quality. Pest infestations can also result in microbial growth inside your ducts and indoor air. Cleaning and sanitation are necessary in this scenario.
Protecting Your Ductwork
In addition to changing filters frequently, consider investing in a whole-house air purification system. Installed onto your HVAC system, enhanced filtration will remove particulate matter before it can cause a problem.
You should monitor your indoor air quality using IAQ sensors, which are often built into smart thermostats. If you don’t already have one, consider upgrading now.
Make sure you have our team seal all duct leaks using products like mastic tape or sealants. If large sections of ductwork are damaged, replacement may be necessary.
Adding insulation around your ductwork can prevent condensation and heat loss. You may be able to utilize incentives or rebates to offset the cost of insulation. This will also help you lower your monthly utility bills by preventing overuse of your HVAC system.
A/C & Plumbing Doctors is available to assist homeowners in the Gilbert area with ductwork issues. We can also install new ductwork and replace damaged sections. Reach out to our team at A/C & Plumbing Doctors in Gilbert for more information or to schedule an appointment.
