Ductwork distributes heated or cooled air, so it’s a key component of your HVAC system. Accumulated dirt, dust, pollen and dead insects can greatly impair its functionality. Here are three signs of dirty ductwork in Dumfries, VA:

Dust Coming From Vents

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors. Therefore, it’s imperative to keep your home habitable by ensuring the ductwork is functioning well.

When you turn on your HVAC system, you shouldn’t see a puff of dust or smell anything. If smoke or a smell comes out of the vents when you turn your HVAC system on, it indicates that your ducts are dirty.

One way of preventing dirt buildup is cleaning or replacing your air filter to trap airborne particles before they reach the ductwork. Sometimes the problem can be due to a mechanical malfunction in your HVAC system.

Unusual Increase in Your Energy Bill

If you notice a spike in your utility bill, it should act as a red flag that something is amiss. A small fluctuation in energy costs is understandable. But unless there’s been a trigger like a drastic weather change, a sudden increase tells you something’s wrong. You need to check the ducts.

When dirt or dust clogs your ductwork, it’ll force the HVAC system to work extra hard to heat or cool your home, thus driving energy consumption up. You can contact an HVAC professional to fix any problem your ductwork could be having.

Your House is Always Dusty

A little dust is inevitable, especially after a few days of cleaning your house. But if you notice that your house has dust throughout, this can signify that the ductwork is dirty.

A lot of dust could be building up in the duct and coming out of your vents. It then settles on your furniture.

Is your ductwork experiencing any problems? Contact our team at Brennan’s Heating & Air Conditioning for top-quality air duct cleaning and HVAC maintenance services.

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