Most Orange Park homeowners don’t think about the ductwork in their home unless there is a problem – out of sight, out of mind. However, the air ducts in your home are of critical importance. Your HVAC system uses the ducts to bring in and discharge cooled and heated air throughout your home and through your system.

Just as your HVAC air filter gets dirty when it is not changed frequently, the inside of your air ducts can become filthy without being cleaned every five to 10 years.

If you’ve lived in your home for 10 or more years and have never had the air ducts cleaned, contact First Coast Home Pros now by calling (904) 383-7721 or texting (904) 712-2674. If you’ve recently moved into your home and don’t know when, or if, the previous owners had the air ducts cleaned, you should contact us right away as well.

Benefits of Having Your Air Ducts Cleaned

Air flows from your HVAC system through your air ducts many times every day. The HVAC air filter can’t trap everything that flows back and forth that often, so the insides of the ductwork can sport a thick layer of dust and grime.

Breathe Easier

The substances found on the walls of your ductwork could make anyone cringe.

  • Dust and dirt
  • Dander
  • Pet hair
  • Dust mites
  • Mold and mildew
  • Bacteria
  • Rodent dander and droppings
  • Dead insects and insect droppings
  • Pollen and other allergens
  • Tobacco smoke
  • Chemical residue
  • Odors

If your air ducts were simply coated with dust, it would likely be annoying and cause you to clean constantly. However, when you consider everything else that may be inside your ductwork, it’s not only gross, it can be harmful to your health.

Anyone with allergies, asthma, or cardiopulmonary conditions knows that breathing in mold, mildew, dander, pollen, and bacteria can trigger health problems. Even people without allergies or breathing challenges can tell the difference when breathing in clean air versus poor quality air.

  • Red, swollen, or watery eyes
  • Excessive sneezing
  • A stuffy or runny nose
  • Itchy nose or eyes
  • Itchy skin

Those are just a few of the symptoms people may experience when breathing poor quality indoor air on a regular basis.

Having your air ducts cleaned helps improve indoor air quality.

Improving Air Flow

When congested with dirt, dust, and other substances, cooled and heated air has increased difficulty flowing back and forth to your HVAC system and throughout your North Florida home. An HVAC system that has to work harder to circulate air is going to result in higher energy bills and the potential for the system to have a shorter lifespan.

In contrast, keeping your HVAC filter and system clean and the ductwork clear, the unit can more efficiently do its job. Ultimately, you will consume less energy and your energy bills will be lower.

A Cleaner, Better Smelling Home

When dust is continuously flowing through your home’s air ducts and blowing, sometimes imperceptibly, from air registers, the visible areas of your home are going to be dustier as well. If you cut the dust off at the source — your air ducts — your home will be cleaner.

Additionally, all that dirt and dust lining the interior of your ductwork traps lingering odors. Stinky pet hair, mold, dried rodent urine, ancient tobacco smoke, and more may, at one time, have been circulating through your ducts. Small particles get trapped amidst the dust and blow back around your home. If your home has a particular smell you can’t track down, having your air ducts cleaned can very likely get your home smelling fresh again.

How to Know if Your Air Ducts Are Clogged

Dust alone is rarely the culprit of a complete air duct clog, but it can certainly impede the flow of air. Without being able to see inside, there are a few signs you may have a problem with dirty ductwork.

Dirty Air Filters

If you notice your HVAC air filter getting much dirtier more quickly than it used to, something may be up with the air quality and circulation in your Orange Park home.

Insect or Rodent Infestation

If you have an insect, mouse, rat, or other pest infestation in your home, it’s likely those same creatures have infiltrated your air ducts. Inhaling rodent droppings, in particular, is dangerous for your health and can have serious consequences, according to the Florida Department of Health. It’s important to find where pests are entering your home, stop them in their tracks, and clean up thoroughly after them. That means inside your air ducts too.

Uneven Air Flow

If you’re beginning to notice uneven airflow in your home — areas or zones where it is constantly too hot or too cold — your ductwork could be to blame.

Schedule an Air Duct Cleaning Appointment for Your Orange Park Home Today

Call First Coast Home Pros at (904) 383-7721 or text (904) 712-2674. We can give you a free estimate and get you scheduled for your air duct cleaning appointment. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and can ensure you and your family breathe easier in your home.