As the weather starts to cool down across the country, countless American homeowners are now beginning their preparations for the upcoming heating season.
Although there’s always a lot that everyone has to consider while prepping for winter, indoor air quality (IAQ) has quickly become a top priority in recent years. The fall months like September and October just so happen to be the perfect time to take a closer look at your property’s IAQ, which generally means thoroughly examining your home’s ductwork.
We recently got in touch with the ductwork cleaning specialists in Salt Lake City, Utah at Apex Clean Air, and they informed us about all sorts of health concerns associated with clogged, dusty and dirty ductwork systems that everyone should know about.
So, check out the below sections to learn more about the red flag warning signs that you should be on the lookout for in terms of knowing when it’s time to reach out to your local ductwork cleaning professionals!
Dust Buildup Around Your Registers & Vents
If you’re noticing any dust collecting around your ductwork system’s registers and vents, it’s a sign that your air ducts could be circulating debris throughout your entire property. This is especially the case if you’re noticing dust shortly after your own DIY cleanings.
This type of cleaning not only makes all of your other cleaning chores unnecessarily more difficult, but it also lowers your home’s IAQ.
And in the fall months when you’ll start closing your windows more often and your natural air circulation is inevitably more limited, this dust will subsequently have nowhere to go—except into your living spaces!
Unpleasant or Dusty Odors While Running Your Furnace
Because fall is the time when most homeowners start turning on their heating systems for the first time since around April, it’s common for people to notice smoky, musty or stale odors shortly after kicking on their furnace.
However, it’s important to distinguish the difference when these unpleasant odors persist after your first time turning on your heating system—because this type of ongoing issue is a clear sign that your ductwork is causing the bad smells.
Mold, dust and pet dander often collect deep within a home’s ducts during the summer months. So once air begins circulating again in these deep ductwork nooks and crannies, the built-up smells begin pushing into your home’s rooms.
The good news is that professional ductwork cleaning can effectively eliminate the source of these unwanted odors and leave your home smelling and feeling fresh this winter!
Abnormally Increased Respiratory & Allergy Symptoms
Another red flag that homeowners need to be aware of is worsening asthma or allergy symptoms that seemingly come out of nowhere, and this is particularly alarming when you’re noticing symptoms long after pollen season has ended.
Pet hair, dust mites, mold spores and other allergens typically accumulate inside a home’s ductwork—and these particles can quickly become airborne when you start running your heating system for the first times in the fall.
So, if you’re noticing that your family members are suddenly sneezing, coughing, have itchy eyes, or are abnormally congested while hanging out at home, it’s a clear sign that you need a professional duct cleaning appointment to help improve indoor air quality and reduce irritants.
Uneven or Weak Airflow
When your home’s ductwork unfortunately gets clogged with any type of debris, you’ll subsequently notice that your system’s airflow suffers.
This could mean that some rooms feel noticeably warmer than others, or that HVAC airflow seems weaker in specific parts of your property. Not only will this make your indoor living far less comfortable, but it’ll also force your furnace to work much harder than it’s actually supposed to—which quickly drives up energy bills.
But with a professional ductwork cleaning appointment, your specialists will surely be able to clear out any stingy blockages and get your indoor air back to a healthier, more consistent flow as you get ready for winter.
Signs of Mold Development & Pests in Your Ductwork
And one of the most alarming red flags associated with needing professional ductwork cleaning is when you’re seeing signs of pest droppings, strange noises, or insect shells near your system’s vents. Although this is an unfortunately common scenario, it’s important for homeowners to take this situation seriously when their properties have unwanted visitors by searching for “pest control near me.”
The same thing can be said for mold development contaminating your ducts. Both of these situations require quick action through professional cleanings to not just remove the problem, but also to prevent future health concerns!
Why The Fall Months Are The Right Time For Ductwork Cleaning
Even if you’re not currently noticing any of the above red flag warning signs, it’s still important to schedule a ductwork cleaning appointment at your home during the fall months.
Your family is inevitably going to be spending more time indoors during the upcoming winter season, and improving your IAQ will essentially be an investment in your household’s well-being and your HVAC system’s efficiency.
And addressing these lingering issues now in months like September and October will subsequently ensure that your household enjoys a clean, warm and comfortable winter all season long!