How Air Duct Cleaning Can Improve Indoor Air Quality During Hot, Humid Months
As summer temperatures continue to climb and humidity levels rise all across the United States, many American homeowners are now focusing their efforts on getting their air conditioning systems ready for inevitable scorching, summer heatwaves.
Although there are many important HVAC maintenance services that help homeowners get prepped and ready for scorching temperatures, one often-overlooked service that can have a big impact on your household’s overall comfort and health is air duct cleaning.
Your home’s air ducts play a crucial role in circulating cool, clean air throughout your property, and this is particularly important during the hottest, most humid months of the year. And if your ducts are filled with dust, mold and allergens, they can potentially compromise your indoor air quality when you need cleanliness the most.
Below we’ll detailing some of the top reasons why air duct cleaning is so important during summer, as well as how it can dramatically improve the air you breathe at home during scorching heatwaves!
Why Summer Humidity Makes Indoor Air Quality Worse
Warm, humid air tends to hold more moisture, which subsequently leads to excessive indoor humidity at countless homes and businesses.
And when you combine this with closed windows, heavy AC usage, and increased indoor activity, you’ll essentially create the perfect environment for dust, pollen, pet dander and even mold to accumulate deep within your HVAC system’s ductwork.
What makes this particularly problematic is that when your system kicks on to cool your home, these contaminants inevitably get circulated through your vents and into the air your family breathes. This results in the following:
- Higher allergen levels
- Musty odors
- Increased respiratory irritation
- Dangerous mold or mildew growth within your ductwork
And without proper air duct cleaning, your property’s indoor air can quickly become stale and unhealthy during those long, humid summer days!
5 Important Ways Air Duct Cleaning Improves Indoor Air Quality During The Summer Months
Air duct cleaning is important for households to keep in mind during all times of the year, but here are just a handful of ways how this HVAC service can support your home during the hot summer season:
- Removing Built-Up Dust & Debris
Over time, dust, dirt and other airborne particles naturally settle inside your home’s ductwork.
Professional air duct cleaning effectively removes this type of buildup, which subsequently prevents it from circulating throughout your home while your AC system is likely running nonstop.
- Reducing Allergens & Irritants
Pollen, pet dander and other allergens tend to thrive in warm, humid environments.
But when you get your air ducts professionally cleaned, you’ll minimize the presence of these irritants. This then provides much-needed relief for anyone in your household who suffers from seasonal allergies or asthma.
- Helping To Control Mold & Mildew Development
Humidity creates an ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew, and this is particularly the case inside damp, dark air ducts.
A thorough duct cleaning appointment will go a long way to help remove any existing mold spores, which prevents future growth when paired with proper humidity control and routine HVAC maintenance.
- Eliminating Musty, Stale Odors
If your home just so happens to smell stale or musty when the AC turns on, the odds are that your air ducts could be to blame.
Air duct cleaning helps remove odor-causing particles like mold, pet hair and other accumulated debris—which leaves your indoor air fresher and cleaner during the heat of summer.
- Improving Overall HVAC System Efficiency
Clean air ducts lead to better airflow, which subsequently allows your air conditioner to work more efficiently.
Not only does this improve air circulation and cooling performance throughout your property, but it also helps reduce strain on your HVAC system.
This often leads to lower energy bills during peak summer months!
When Should You Schedule Air Duct Cleaning Appointments?
Although every property is unique, it’s generally recommended to schedule air duct cleaning every 3–5 years.
However, if you notice any of the following symptoms during the summer months, it may be time to book your next service appointment:
- Persistent musty or dusty smells
- Visible dust or debris around your air vents
- Unexplained allergy or respiratory symptoms
- Recent home renovations or remodeling
- Pets that shed heavily
- Water damage or suspected mold in the HVAC system
Have You Neglected Your Home’s Ductwork? It Could Be Time To Get Professional Air Duct Cleaning Before The Next Summer Heatwave!
As the heat and humidity of summer starts to settle in across the country, your property’s indoor air quality can quickly suffer without professional maintenance.
Air duct cleaning is a simple, effective way to improve the indoor air you breathe, reduce household allergens, and keep your home feeling fresh and comfortable all season long.
So, if you haven’t received air duct cleaning at your property in a few years, it could be time to contact local, certified HVAC professionals to have your system inspected and cleaned before the next heatwave hits!
