With cold weather ahead in Greencastle, PA, you will run your heat a lot in the coming months. However, dirty ductwork, including biological growth from excess moisture, can impact the quality of that air. Watch out for these five signs that your home has dirty ductwork, which could impact your family’s health and comfort.
1. Lingering Smells
Odors can indicate issues in your ventilation system. If your home has an unpleasant odor and you can’t identify the source, it might be in your air duct system. Get as close as possible to an air register and deeply sniff to determine whether you need a professional technician.
2. Uneven Airflow
Check every room in your home for the airflow in each space. The airflow should be consistent in every room, whether it’s your kitchen, living room, bedroom, or bathroom. Variations in the airflow might indicate something blocking the ducts deep inside.
3. Excessive Dust
While regular filter changes are crucial maintenance, they might not catch all the dust in your system. If you find yourself cleaning your home of dust more than you used to, the HVAC system could be the source.
4. Rising Utilities
Utility bills naturally fluctuate monthly and seasonally, but you should know the patterns if you’ve lived in your home for over a year. Many factors can drive your energy bills up, making identifying them difficult. However, your ductwork might have a blockage if nothing else has changed.
5. Sick Family Members
If you or your loved ones seem to be suffering health issues more often, that might be your first clue that something is wrong with your climate control system. Respiratory infections, itchy skin, allergies, and asthma are all conditions that dirty ductwork might exacerbate. With cold and flu season happening, you might notice more runny noses and coughing than normal, but dirty ducts can make these worse.
Never attempt duct cleaning by yourself. It’s complicated work that involves special tools and industry knowledge. Contact Care Services Inc for your home’s duct cleaning needs.
Image provided by iStock
