Your ductwork is the network of metal tunnels that brings air from your heater and air conditioner into different zones throughout your home. It’s an important piece of many residential and commercial HVAC systems, and, just like any other part of your home, it needs occasional cleaning to operate at its full capacity.
At Ricky Heath Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, we provide professional duct cleaning to homes throughout our service area, which includes many communities in the Peach State, like Macon, Bonaire, Fort Valley, Hillsboro, and Centerville. We prioritize care, speed, and quality on every job, and that includes ensuring your ducts are clean so you can enjoy better HVAC efficiency and higher indoor air quality.
In this post, we’ll go over how to tell if your ducts need cleaning and when it’s time to call a professional at Ricky Heath for assistance. We’re always here when you need us for duct cleaning, duct sealing, HVAC repairs, installation services, plumbing, and more.
How To Tell If Your Ducts Need Cleaning
It’s not always easy to tell if your ducts need cleaning but there are some surefire signs.
Excess Dust
If you notice your home has become increasingly dusty, it may be due to dirty ductwork. An easy test is to shine a flashlight beam across a vent and look for dust particles blowing out. A small amount of dust buildup on a vent cover or air return register is fine, but if the buildup is thick, this is a sign that it’s time for a duct cleaning.
Visible Debris
You should never be able to see dirt, grime, or any debris with the naked eye inside your ductwork. If you’ve done a home renovation or notice any big pieces inside the ducts, a professional cleaning will clear it out before it causes damage, filter clogs, and other problems.
Odors
Strange or musty odors coming from your vents may indicate dirty ductwork, mildew, or the presence of rodents or insects that have infiltrated your HVAC system through a hole.
Mold Growth
If you can see mold or think you smell a musty or mildewy scent in the ducts, it’s a good idea to act quickly and have the entire system professionally cleaned and serviced. Mold spores can spread quickly throughout your entire home from your ductwork and cause health issues if left unaddressed.
Frequent HVAC Filter Clogs
Your air conditioner and furnace filters are designed to catch particles floating in your air and should be changed around every three months. If they’re frequently dirtied and clogged faster than that, it might be time to book your duct cleaning appointment.
Signs of Dirty Air Ducts That Homeowners Often Overlook
There are more subtle, hidden signs your air ducts need cleaning that you may not know about.
Respiratory Symptoms
An increase in allergies or asthma symptoms, such as sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose, is a strong indication that your ducts need cleaning. When allergens such as pet dander, bacteria, mold, and pollen collect inside the ductwork, they spread through the house in the air, triggering allergies and recirculating throughout the home. A thorough duct cleaning will neutralize these allergens and keep them out of your airspace, so you can breathe freely without worry.
Uneven HVAC Airflow
Over time, enough hair, dust, and other particles may accumulate in the ducts to stop the air from flowing freely, even when the AC or heater is on. This will reduce your HVAC system’s effectiveness and strain the system, causing uncomfortably hot or cold rooms, higher energy bills, and more frequent heat and AC repairs. A thorough duct cleaning can help.
High Energy Bills
If your HVAC system isn’t working effectively, then your entire heating and cooling system will have to work harder to compensate for the inefficiencies. This means it’ll use more power to try and meet your temperature demands throughout the day, resulting in higher-than-normal energy bills.
Do You Really Need Duct Cleaning?
In short, yes. You need duct cleaning and sealing services. While some believe it’s not necessary, duct cleaning will improve your home comfort and your indoor air quality. We recommend cleaning your residential air ducts once per year, although each house has unique needs. When you schedule ductwork service with Ricky Heath, we’ll inspect the ducts and let you know whether a full cleaning is needed or if you’d be better off with an air filter change or a partial cleaning.
New Homeowners: Should You Get Your Ducts Cleaned After Moving In?
One of the best times to have your ducts professionally cleaned is when you first move into a house. New homeowners want a clean, fresh start, and that includes removing the previous owners’ hair, skin cells, pet dander, and bacteria from the air you’re breathing.
If you're purchasing a house in Macon, GA, or nearby communities, consider scheduling a duct inspection and cleaning with Ricky Heath before moving in. The ductwork is like the lungs of the house. We’ll check every inch of your ductwork to make sure it’s fully clean and working properly. You’ll be able to breathe easier in your new home, knowing your heating and cooling system will work efficiently and the air you’re taking in is fresh and clean.
Benefits of Professional Duct Cleaning
Some of the biggest benefits that come with professional duct cleaning are:
- A reduction of dust in the house: Cleaner ducts mean less dusting.
- The alleviation of allergy symptoms: We neutralize allergens so you can breathe easier.
- The removal of mold spores: We kill mold spores to prevent them from spreading through your home.
- Better odor control: Removing detritus from your vents will improve the way your house smells.
- Improved HVAC efficiency: Clean, clear vents allow your HVAC system to operate more efficiently.
- A reduced risk of duct fires: We remove any flammable materials that could cause a fire.
- Extends your heater and AC lifespan: An efficient furnace or AC will run longer without issue.
Call Ricky Heath for Expert Duct Cleaning
At Ricky Heath Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, we take care of our customers by providing high-quality work, no matter what the job is. If you’ve noticed signs that you need professional duct cleaning, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’ll book a system inspection to find the cause of the issue and solve it for you.
Locals choose our licensed HVAC technicians time and time again because we offer:
- Expert HVAC work from insured, experienced contractors.
- Fast appointment times, so you’re not waiting weeks for service.
- A high standard of work that we always strive to exceed.
- Friendly, positive customer service, even when the job is challenging.
- Trustworthy advice and straightforward pricing, with no sneaky upselling.
- Respect and professionalism with every interaction.
Whether it’s a straightforward duct cleaning after you move into a new house, or there’s an underlying problem causing the strange smells or sounds you’ve noticed, we’re here to help, with professionalism and care.
If you’re ready to schedule service with us, we’re available now to book your duct cleaning, HVAC maintenance, or repairs. Contact us online, or phone us at (478) 312-5238 to request service.
