No doubt you know that the winters are long and harsh here in Fargo. This means that you spend a lot of time in your home. Windows and doors are usually closed in winter, and that means you are breathing air that is recycled through your air duct system. Unless you have cleaned your ducts, the constant circulation of dust, pollen, fungi, bacteria and germs can increase the risk of diseases and allergies.
Here are several reasons why you should have your air ducts cleaned before winter.
Reduce energy costs. A dusty air duct system makes your stove work a lot harder than it should, which costs money in additional heating bills. The restriction of your oven filter due to the accumulation of dust puts additional strain on the oven fan. This could lead to an expensive motor replacement.
Cut down on house cleaning. If you keep dusting your home and still see a layer of dust almost immediately after cleaning it, this is a good sign that your ductwork needs cleaning. Another common sign of a dirty air duct system is black lines under doors, around exhaust vents and stairwells. These black outlines usually appear on light-colored carpets. This problem is that particulate matter circulates in and around these areas and returns to the air ducts. Some of the fine dust particles will settle in the carpet, creating black spots that form a black area. You can reduce this problem by cleaning your air duct system.
Increase the quality of your indoor air. Most of the homes in the F-M area are filled with a lot of insulation. Many houses that we find do NOT have an air exchanger. This creates a situation where the indoor air never gets fresh. The air simply continues to circulate through the air duct system. This includes germs, bacteria as well as dust and dirt, which can cause diseases and irritate allergies. Good cleaning and disinfection of your air duct system can remove all of these harmful substances from your duct system and make room for fresh air to circulate.
Prevent a fire. Lint is very flammable. Many homeowners overlook their dryer vent and duct as a potential fire hazard. Most air duct cleaning Asheville companies can also clean your dryer vent and duct if it is some distance from the dryer to the outside of the house. A large amount of flammable lint can settle in the ventilation duct and vent of the dryer and create a dangerous fire hazard. This lint can overheat your dryer element and start a fire that is moving very quickly. Restricting your dryer ventilation can also cause your dryer to work harder, just like we mentioned with your oven. It’s the same concept.
The problem is, most people can’t see into their air duct system and therefore don’t know how dirty it really is. Some older homes can remove several pounds of dust and debris from the air ducts, and homeowners are surprised at the results. Since it is out of sight, it is usually overlooked. If you are unsure about your ductwork, most duct cleaning companies can offer you a free video inspection so you can see exactly what is trapped in your ductwork.
Most duct cleaning companies can offer you a free valuation of your heating system. A few questions you might want to ask them are how they handle the cleaning, how long they have been in business, and how much it would cost to get the service done.
As you can see, there are several reasons why you should have your air ducts cleaned before the winter season.