Living so close to the coast provides your family with plenty of fun outdoor activities in pleasant temperatures. Unfortunately, living in San Diego also means the salty sea air is affecting your home in ways you might not consider. In particular, exposure to the corrosive nature of sea air means air duct cleaning is essential.
Why Do You Need Frequent Air Duct Cleaning?
Several environmental factors can negatively impact the condition of your HVAC system’s air ducts. The salty air in this region tends to be more humid, carrying more moisture into your home. The combination of salt and moisture will cause your metal ducts to corrode faster.
As the wind carries sea air to your home, it will also pick up sand from the beaches. Higher winds mean there’s more sand coming into your home. As you use your HVAC system, that sand gets drawn into the system and carried to your ducts. Regular air duct cleaning helps remove the sand from your ducts to ensure you breathe cleaner air all year.
Pollen and fungi are more problems that the sea air carries into your home. The air picks up pollen in the same way that it carries sand to your home from the beach. When you live in a neighborhood with more trees and foliage, the air carries more pollen into your home.
Finally, the humidity that’s common in the region increases the risk of mold and fungi growth in your home. Mold, in particular, will grow in your air ducts since they are dark and retain moisture that accumulates. Regular air duct cleaning eliminates moisture before it allows mold and fungi to grow.
What Are the Signs It’s Time for Air Duct Cleaning?
Most homeowners need air duct cleaning services every three to five years, but that may not be sufficient for homes in coastal regions. Harsher environmental conditions require more frequent duct cleaning and maintenance.
Knowing the signs of dirty or damaged ducts will ensure you get your air ducts cleaned as needed. After a year or two, you can predict how often your ducts need cleaning.
Your Energy Bills Are Rising
If you notice that you pay more for energy from month to month, the HVAC system is usually the cause. When you keep up with HVAC maintenance and feel confident this isn’t the reason for your energy waste, turn your attention to your ducts. Rust or loose connections might be causing air to leak, reducing your system’s energy efficiency.
Your Home Seems Dustier Than Usual
As treated air rushes through your air ducts, it will pick up any dust or debris in your ducts. Even though the HVAC system’s filter is clean and working properly, this will cause your treated air to become contaminated. The air will carry that dust back into your home, leaving thicker coatings of dust on your furnishings.
Your Health Seems to Worsen
A failure to keep up with your system’s air duct cleaning needs means more pollutants will get pushed out into your home. You’ll breathe air with more moisture, salt, sand, and pollen.
As a result, allergy symptoms will worsen, or other respiratory issues will grow more severe. The contaminants carried in the air from your dirty ducts can also lead to dry skin, dry sinuses, and brittle hair.
What Are the Benefits of Frequent Air Duct Cleaning?
When you keep up with air duct cleaning and maintenance, you’ll experience a broad range of benefits. As you start to enjoy these positive effects, it will be easier to see duct cleaning as an investment rather than an expense.
Protect Your HVAC Equipment
Regular duct cleaning reduces the amount of pollutants in your home, lightening the burden on your HVAC filtration system. The unit will use less energy to operate and provide cleaner air.
You’ll also lower the corrosive effects on your ducts, extending the lifetime of the entire system. You’ll need fewer repairs and replacements when you keep your ducts clean.
Keep Your Home Energy Efficient
Since there are fewer contaminants flowing through your ducts, your HVAC system won’t have to filter as much debris out of the treated air. It will take longer for your air filter to become dirty, and the system will heat or cool your home without wasting energy. You might also find that you won’t have to change the filter as frequently.
Your Family Will Feel Healthier
Regular air duct cleaning removes contaminants that contribute to health conditions. In addition to reducing the symptoms of seasonal allergies, asthma, and skin conditions, your family might experience lower risks for more serious illnesses. You might find that colds and the flu are less common in your home when you keep up with air duct maintenance.
Save Time Cleaning Your Home
Cleaner ducts will reduce the amount of dust and debris circulating in your home. You might frequently have to dust your furniture, mop bare floors, and vacuum carpeting. Keeping up with duct cleaning can reduce how often you have to do these chores. Surfaces will stay cleaner for longer when the air carries fewer pollutants.
Protect Your Electronics and Appliances
Dirty ducts won’t just affect your health and your HVAC system. The sand, dirt, and debris will affect every surface in your home. This includes accessing vents on computers, kitchen appliances, stereos, and other electronic equipment.
When you keep cleaner ducts, you’ll prevent exposure to small dirt particles that could otherwise clog small electronic components.
Protect Your Warranty
Scheduling consistent air duct cleaning might be a condition for maintaining a valid HVAC system warranty. Make sure to check the terms of the warranty for this stipulation. The terms should tell you how frequently to clean the ducts to keep the warranty active as part of seasonal HVAC maintenance.
We’ll Help You Protect Your Air Ducts
Although you might be familiar with Attic Projects due to our attic and crawl space maintenance services, we also provide air duct care. We’ll inspect, clean, and repair your air ducts to ensure your HVAC system continues to provide efficient comfort. Contact us to schedule air duct cleaning for your San Diego home.
