The average American spends 90% of their life indoors. For many of us, that means most of the air we breathe passes through air ducts and into our lungs. Therefore, the air in our lungs is only as clear as our air ducts!
Air ducts allow cool or heated air to move through our homes and keep us comfortable year-round. But over time, they can get dirty and clogged. The moist, warm conditions could even lead to mold infestation.
An air duct inspection is the only way to know what’s going on. So what should you expect from an air duct inspection, and how often should you schedule one? Let’s find out together.
Why You Need an Air Duct Inspection
The air ducts are like the lungs of your HVAC system. When they are working well, clean air flows from the air conditioner or furnace throughout the house, and everyone breathes easily. Unfortunately, when things are not going well, you can start experiencing higher energy bills and health problems.
Poor Layout
Installing an air duct system that works well may look easy, but it takes a lot of skill. If your air ducts were not installed in the best layout, you might have kinks that stop the air from flowing freely around the house.
If registers and grills are not well sealed, you could be blowing treated air into your wall cavities – and money down the drain. The same thing can happen if your air ducts have developed holes and tears that have not been sealed.
The dirtier or leakier your air ducts are, the harder your HVAC system has to work. This can lead to poor indoor air quality, higher electricity bills, and faster HVAC burnout.
Pest Invasions
Sadly, air ducts can be pest magnets. They’re warm, dark spaces, away from humans, but within the safety of the house. Spiders, cockroaches, and rodents can all find our ventilation systems too tempting to resist.
Of course, these uninvited guests will leave evidence of their presence. This will be spotted during an air duct inspection.
If you suspect a home invasion is in progress, get yourself checked out. The last thing you want is bacteria from pest droppings getting airborne and being blown around your house.
Mold Infestations
Mold needs warmth and humidity to thrive. If your air ducts are not well sealed and clean, mold may begin to thrive. In addition, mold can cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to it.
Mold is also an asthma trigger. If high concentrations of mold spores are being blown about your house on a regular basis, it could be making your family very sick.
What Happens During an Air Duct Inspection?
When you call in HVAC professionals to conduct an air duct evaluation, they’ll use a mixture of knowledge and specialist tools to get the job done. First, they’ll visually inspect your HVAC system, checking for any signs of damage or poor insulation.
They then might use a smoke pencil. This nifty device helps them to locate tears in the ducts and gaps in the seams and seals.
Finally, they’ll check for signs of biological growth, such as mold and mildew. If there are signs of a current pest infestation, they may recommend that you call in pest control before the air duct cleaning takes place.
They will provide you with a report. This will provide a clear picture of what’s going on with your HVAC system and outline a plan of attack.
How Often Do You Need One?
In most homes, air ducts need cleaning around every 5 to 10 years. However, if you notice these tell-tale signs, call in an air duct sealing company to inspect them even if they were recently cleaned:
- Rattling grates
- Uneven temperatures
- High energy bills with no obvious cause
- Musty odors
- Uneven airflow
Is a DIY Inspection Possible?
The answer is yes and no.
You can get an idea of the state of your air ducts by unscrewing a ventilation grill in one of your rooms and taking a look inside with a flashlight. This can be hard, but a digital camera with a flash can help you to see further into the duct.
Do your ducts look clean and clear? Or are they filled with dust bunnies, dirt, and possibly evidence of pests? If so, you will need to call your local AC repair company for a comprehensive HVAC inspection.
The reality is that inspecting and cleaning your air ducts effectively is very difficult for most homeowners. Unless you have a good understanding of air duct problems and how to fix them, you are likely to find it very difficult.
The Benefits of an Air Duct Evaluation
An air duct evaluation will let you know exactly what is going on with your HVAC system. It may answer some niggling questions, such as:
- Why are my energy bills so high?
- Why is there so much dust in my house?
- Why are the airflow and temperature uneven?
- Why doesn’t my house ever smell fresh?
Getting your air ducts cleaned and sealed could make a huge difference to your home. You can experience cleaner air, fewer respiratory symptoms, and lower energy bills.
Time for an Air Duct Inspection
If you’re tired of poor indoor air quality and inefficient HVAC system performance, the problem may be your ducts. An air duct inspection can tell you exactly what’s going on and what you need to do to put it right.
At Aeroseal Colorado, we provide air duct evaluation, diagnostics, repair, and cleaning services. We have solutions that can transform your air quality and help your HVAC system run more efficiently.
To learn more, call us at 303-210-7645 or get in touch online today!