If there’s a musty, mildewy or “dirty laundry” smell coming from your vents, it’s one of the clearest signs that you’re due for a cleaning. Bad smells from your air condition or heating system can indicate a few different issues. There could be trapped moisture that’s causing mold growth. Or, caked on dirt and debris could be feeding odor-causing bacteria. It’s also possible that you have a pest problem in your ducts, which will certainly lead to bad smells.
No matter what the source of the smell, it’s a good idea to get the pros in to address the problem.
Your electricity bills have been going up
Dirt and other obstructions in your air ducts lower your HVAC’s energy efficiency, causing strain on the blower motor and other components within the system. This is going to be reflected in your monthly energy bill, although many property owners don’t notice unless they see an obvious trend over the course of months.
People (or pets) in your home or office are experiencing respiratory symptoms
Poor air quality often shows up in the form of respiratory issues, including allergy symptoms like sneezing, coughing or shortness or breath. Seniors, young children, and immunocompromised people are most likely to suffer from these effects, although pets also tend to be highly sensitive to airborne particles. In dogs and cats, you might notice increased itchiness and skin problems.
You or your neighbors have finished a construction project
Even though the construction crew might have already cleaned up and moved out, it’s possible that they left behind dust and debris in your air ducts. This is the case whether the renovation or construction project took place within your property or in the neighborhood. In fact, homeowners and property owners in areas of Cleveland where lots of construction and repairs are happening frequently, such as Ohio City or around the new Huntington Bank Field are even more likely to see signs of built-up dust in their air duct system. If you find yourself in an up-and-coming area, we would recommend scheduling more frequent air duct cleanings to keep up with the increase in airborne debris.