Do you ever notice drastic temperature changes between rooms? Is there dirty air coming from the ventilation grilles? Have you seen an unexpected rise in your electricity bills? Are some of the ventilation grilles in your house not producing air? Does the air that comes out of the grilles feel warm? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it's likely that your air ducts are blocked. To be sure, turn on your air conditioner or heater and go around your house to check the airflow in each ventilation grille. Cleaning your duct system has many advantages. It is recommended that you do this home maintenance task every 5 to 10 years.
Doing so will result in better indoor air quality, which is ideal for people with respiratory problems, and a more efficient air conditioning system (up to 40% more efficient). If you want to learn more about replacing your home's ducts, contact Interstate Heating (& Air Conditioning) today at (40) 912-5900 to schedule a free in-home consultation. Dirt and dust left on the vent covers are a telltale sign that the air ducts need to be cleaned. But what causes blockages in the air conditioning system? And how do you handle clogged ducts? Here are some of the most common causes of blocked air ducts and how to treat them:
- Loose connections, gaps, damaged duct sections, and disconnected ducts allow air conditioning to escape before reaching indoor living areas, wasting energy.
- A clogged air filter will not only interrupt airflow, but it could also seriously affect the operability of the air conditioner.
- An easy sign that the air ducts are dirty or clogged is that, when the system is turned on, you may see a cloud of dust pouring out of the vents.
To fix this problem, remove the screws from the air duct covers and return plates from the air vents. Your local HVAC professional may have slightly different methods, but this is generally accepted as an effective way to clean your ducts. For optimal energy efficiency and air quality, you should replace your air filters every 30 to 60 days. If you find any areas with obvious or suspicious leaks in the ducts, mark them by drawing an arrow in the duct with a greasing pen to find out where the leak is.
The process of circulating hot or cold air around the house is continuous when the boiler or air conditioner is running. If you're having trouble with all of these options, now is the time to start contacting your local air conditioning and heating authority. Cleaning your ducts will help ensure that your home's temperature remains consistent and that your energy bills stay low.
