Warning Signs Your Air Ducts Need Cleaning
When HVAC systems are not properly maintained, they can harbor mold, fungi, and bacteria that carry disease. These pollutants are circulated by forced-air systems.
Given the right conditions of temperature and moisture, these contaminants can flourish in ductwork and flow out into the workspace, causing issues for your employees as well as your equipment. Employing the services of a professional commercial air duct cleaning service helps combat this.
Air duct cleaning leads to improved Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). It also increases employee productivity, improves retention, creates a safer working environment, and lowers maintenance costs. This means that maintaining a clean facility can benefit your bottom line.
How to tell if your air ducts need cleaning:
- Your energy bill has risen.
You may be noticing a spike in your energy bills, but you can’t explain why. Your HVAC system could be dirty and reduce its efficiency. If your energy bills are constantly rising, there may be a blockage or leak in the ductwork.
When dirt and dust buildup restricts airflow, your HVAC system will not be able to circulate heated or cooled air effectively throughout your facility. The conditioned air can escape from your ductwork through leaks, which will force your HVAC system to run longer and consume more energy.
Cleaning your commercial air ducts can lower your energy costs. Your HVAC system will use less energy when you fix leaks and clean your HVAC system.
- The vents and registers are dirty or dusty.
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) rule of thumb is that “if your air ducts appear dirty, then they are.” They also recommend having dirty HVAC systems inspected by an HVAC professional who has been certified.
You may see dust or debris in the area around your vents. This indicates that your HVAC system is likely to have a lot of contaminants moving through its air ducts. This can not only make your building dusty but also affect your health. Dirty air ducts may trigger respiratory illness and allergy symptoms.
- Mold.
Mold can grow in your HVAC system if it develops condensation. Mold can grow in any climate, but it is more common if yours is humid.
Mold can grow quickly, so you might see mold growing near vent registers. Mold in air ducts is difficult to see because many parts of your system can’t be easily accessed. Mold may not be visible, but it will usually emit a musty smell.
It’s crucial to act quickly if you find mold in your air ducts to maintain the IAQ of your building. A commercial air duct cleaner will be able to identify any mold problems and prevent them from recurring in the future.
- Your facility was just built or has undergone major renovations.
Construction is messy.
Dust and debris will find their way into your ductwork no matter how diligently contractors clean up and close off work areas in order to keep the remainder of the site tidy. Construction and remodeling dust may contain toxins or carcinogens that are regulated by OSHA. It’s important to address the problem quickly before respiratory issues develop.
- No record of prior duct cleaning.
If your building is older (10 years or more) and there are no records from previous owners, then it has probably never been cleaned or it has been a very long time.
Cleaning your air ducts, just like regular oil changes, is important for the safety and efficiency of your HVAC system, is also crucial. The same as with oil changes, you can use the time to determine if your ducts need cleaning. When was the last service you performed on your HVAC system? Has it been 5 years since you last had your HVAC system serviced? Has it been ten years?
It’s a warning because it allows a problem to develop and grow much worse than necessary. They know that ignoring things like car oil changes will lead to future problems. The same should be done for your indoor air.
This article was written by a roofing professional at Roofing.co. At Roofing.co, we’re determined to be the only one you need to hire for the entire lifespan of your new roof. We take a modern, professional approach to the roofing business in order to ensure our customers in St. Petersburg and the Central Florida region have the best possible experience whenever they choose us.