Weather Makers Air ConditioningThe oppressive humidity in Chesapeake can exacerbate air quality problems, so it pays to take extra steps to keep your home’s air clean. In some situations, duct cleaning is one of those steps. Because cleaning the ducts isn’t part of routine maintenance, it helps to know the symptoms of ductwork in need of help.

Dust Buildup

Take off the covers of some of your supply registers and take a look inside the duct behind them. If you see a buildup up dust and debris, chances are the rest of your ducts are in a similar state. Keep an eye on your registers when your furnace or air conditioner kicks on. If you see a puff of dust rising from any of the registers, your ducts are long overdue for a cleaning.

Signs of Pests

Warm and relatively undisturbed, ducts are a favorite hangout for household pests such as mice, cockroaches and spiders. These rodents and insects leave behind droppings, hair, nests and dead insect parts, which can end up in your air and worsen allergies and asthma as well as spread disease. Check inside the accessible parts of your ducts and if you spot signs of pests, contact a heating and cooling technician who can advise you on the next step.

Mold Growth

Look inside your ducts for patches of discoloration, particularly in white, brown, pink, and orange. These splotches are often caused by mold, which releases spores into your home’s air. These spores are not only unhealthy not only for those with allergies and asthma, but they can raise the risk of respiratory infection even in healthy people.

Even if you don’t notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to have your ducts inspected after you move into a new house and after remodeling. To head off future problems, schedule an inspection every five years or so. Duct cleaning can’t prevent or relieve any illness, but in some cases it can reduce your exposure to harmful air contaminants.

To learn more about duct cleaning and how to schedule your annual HVAC maintenance checkup, call Weather Makers’ Chesapeake office at 757-263-4869.

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