Why Do I Need Air Conditioning Duct Cleaning?

Areas of the home that frequently get overlooked when cleaning are the air ducts. Regular air conditioning duct cleaning from an experienced HVAC company can help keep your home and indoor air quality cleaner. Another benefit of air duct cleaning is improved air conditioner efficiency and energy savings.

How Do Air Ducts Get Dirty?

Air ducts do get dirty for various reasons. Dust and dirt can get inside the ducts as air is recirculated through the home. One of the more common causes is running your air conditioner without an air filter or with a dirty filter.

When the AC system is run without an air filter, there is nothing to stop pet hair, dust, dirt, and pet dander from getting inside the AC system and into air ducts. Additionally, operating the AC without a filter will shorten the lifespan of the air conditioner and result in more frequent repairs.

A dirty filter is not able to remove any more particles from the air. As it attempts to do so, it gradually forces dirt through the filter and recirculates it into the home. It also strains the air conditioner to work harder to cool the home, which leads to increased energy bills and frequent repairs.

A third cause is also related to improperly sized air filters. If the air filter does not fit tightly and there are gaps around it, dirt can get sucked back in through the return air vent. Then it is recirculated into the air ducts and home.

Another cause is if there are disconnected, deteriorated, or poorly connected ducts where there are air gaps. When the AC runs, not only does the cooled air escape through these openings, but it also draws in dust, dirt, and other debris that is deposited inside ducts and blown into the home.

What Are the Common Signs I Need Air Duct Cleaning?

The most common sign you need air duct cleaning is if you notice your home gets dusty very quickly. If you dust, and then within a few days there is a layer of dust, the air ducts are dirty.

You may also notice that there are heavy dust and dirt deposits on air vents that keep returning quickly. Another common sign is a noticeable increase in your cooling bills. This indicates problems with the ductwork.

How Often Do I Need Air Duct Cleaning?

The frequency of air conditioning duct cleaning depends on several factors such as:

• The age of your AC system.
• How well you maintain the AC system.
• Whether you have done any home renovations.
• How often you change the air filter.
• How quickly your home gets dusty.

Ideally, you will want to schedule air duct cleaning and maintenance every three to five years.

What Happens if Air Ducts Aren’t Cleaned?

If air ducts aren’t cleaned, it can lead to a host of problems with your air conditioner, and it lowers the indoor air quality. Your home will constantly be dusty and seem dirty, no matter how much you clean. You will notice your cooling bills increasing for no apparent reason.

You will notice that your air conditioner has problems cooling or it breaks down often. You will need to change a 3-month air filter every month. Additionally, your air conditioner will not last as long and will need to be replaced much sooner.

As you can imagine, regular duct cleaning from experienced AC technicians will help prevent these problems.

If you notice any of the signs of dirty air ducts or it’s been a while since your AC was last serviced, please feel free to contact Christianson Air Conditioning & Plumbing at 512-246-5400 to schedule air duct cleaning and AC maintenance service in the San Antonio, Austin Metro, Temple, and New Braunfels areas.

Tags: Air Conditioner Contractors, Air Conditioning Duct Cleaning, Air Duct Cleaning