Were you aware of the fact that ground-level ozone reduces the efficiency and life of duct liners? Just 10 days of exposure to this pollutant renders duct liners 5% less efficient!
Unfortunately, high levels of ozone are quite common in Sarasota County. Meaning, your ducts could already be accumulating this pollutant. They could also be passing it to the air that they supply throughout your home.
That alone should be enough reason to book duct cleaning services.
The question is, how exactly do you tell that you have polluted or dirty ducts? What are the signs that you should be on the lookout for?
We’ll get all these questions answered below, so be sure to keep reading!
You See Dark Stains or Fuzzy Things By the Vents
Did you know that one in 10 Americans are allergic to molds? Or that 50% of these people can develop illnesses due to their mold allergies?
Unfortunately, early research has found that almost half of all US homes have mold issues. In many cases, these molds thrive in homes that have humidity levels exceeding 70%.
The thing is, Florida is the most humid of all states in the US. In Sarasota County, for instance, relative humidity (RH) tops 70% from late May to early October. There are even some days that are 100% muggy in the county, including Venice and surrounding areas!
So, it wouldn’t be a surprise if you see molds in and around your Sarasota County home. If, however, you see dark stains or fuzzy things near your AC vents, that’s a solid sign you have molds in your ducts. It’s best to schedule air duct cleaning ASAP, otherwise, you’ll end up inhaling mold spores.
Everyone at Home Seems to Be Often Down With a Cold
You don’t need to be allergic to mold for these microorganisms to wreak havoc on your health. Even healthy people exposed to indoor mold can still develop respiratory tract symptoms. These include coughing, wheezing, and other cold-like symptoms.
Meaning, even if no one at your home has allergies or asthma, you shouldn’t underestimate molds. If you guys always seem to have the sniffles and sneezing fits, take that that you need duct and vent cleaning. This is also a good time to clean your air conditioner itself, starting with its filter.
Shorter Period of Time Between Filter Changes
Speaking of AC filters, it’s a good idea to inspect yours at least once a month. If you have pets, someone at home smokes, or if you live near a construction site, you should change it once a month too. If not, you could replace your AC filter every two or three months.
If you have dirty ducts though, you’ll notice that your filters get a lot dirtier within just a short period of time. Aside from health symptoms, you might also feel a loss of AC cooling power.
Either way, these are signs that you have dust and debris build-up in the ductwork. You should consider getting your ducts and vents cleaned ASAP.
You’ve Been Seeing More Creepy Crawlies At Home
South Florida has become the Sunshine’s State most rat-infested area. Among the rattiest areas in the state is Tampa-St. Petersburg-Sarasota.
That said, it’s possible that you could be sharing your abode with these pests.
Mice and rats love to live and shack up in the cavities between the walls and up in the ceilings. That includes the ductwork, where they can build their nests and give birth to more of their kind. They can also haul food to the ducts, the leftovers of which can decay and attract even more pests.
If you’ve been hearing creaks, squeaks, and scuffles, chances are, you’ve got rodents. If the cold air from your vents has a strong urine smell to it, it’s very likely you have rodents living there. Another solid sign is an increased sighting of cockroaches, flies, and other pests.
In this case, it’s best to call a pest control service first to check and treat your home for infestation. Right after this, book an HVAC duct cleaning and sanitization service.
You Need to Set Your AC Thermostat Lower to Get Comfortably Cool
If you do have rats and mice living in the ducts, they could also cause structural damage up there. They can gnaw away and leave holes in the duct materials. This could then result in duct leaks, which can lead to 30% of conditioned air loss.
Since a huge portion of your cooled air goes to waste, you might feel that your AC isn’t cooling your home properly. This can happen even if you have one of York’s most efficient air conditioning systems. Either way, not feeling the cold could force you to turn your thermostat lower and lower just to feel cooler.
Rising Energy Bills
Dirty air filters and leaky ducts can make your cooling energy use skyrocket. The higher your energy use, the more expensive your energy bills will be.
Moreover, filthy filters and duct leaks can cause premature wear and tear on your AC. If this happens, you’ll find yourself shelling out more money for AC repairs.
Ensuring that your ducts remain clean and clear is one way to avoid these issues. One of the last things you want, after all, is to have dirty indoor air and a faulty air conditioner. Especially not during Sarasota County’s scorching and muggy summer season.
If you think that your ducts need some TLC soon, know that we here at Bowersox Air can help. Our prompt services cover Venice, Nokomis, and nearby Sarasota areas. Get in touch with us now so we can get your air ducts back in their great working condition!
Duct Cleaning Services Can Help Protect Your Health and Wealth
There you have it, all the signs that point to the need for duct cleaning services. If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms of dirty ducts, it’s best to get them cleaned and sanitized ASAP. This way, you and your loved ones can rest and breathe easy while also enjoying comfy indoor air.
Schedule an appointment with us today
