The ductwork in your home acts as the distribution network for your HVAC system. Without a properly functioning system of ducts, both your air conditioner and furnace would be unable to move air throughout your home. With time, dust and other debris can clog up your ductwork, which can cause all sorts of complications for your home. Understanding what some of the major issues associated with clogged ductwork are can help you determine when you need to get in touch with an HVAC professional to clean out your ducts and get air moving properly again.

Reduced Airflow

One of the most common, and also one of the easiest to spot, signs that your ducts are clogged and in dire need of being cleaned is if there is very little air passing out of your vents and registers. You can test this by physically holding your hand over the vent: alternatively, you can remove the screws from your vent cover to inspect the immediate inside of the duct to see just how dirty it is.

Uneven Temperatures

Another sign of clogged ducts is the presence of uneven temperatures within a room. This is directly related to poor airflow: if no heated or cooled air is able to exit your vents, your comfort levels will suffer, and hot and cold spots will develop. Cleaning your ducts can increase air circulation and thus reduce these drafts and cold spots, and also reduce your energy bills since your system will not have to operate for as long to change the temperature within your home.

Reduced Air Quality

An additional clear sign that your ducts are clogged with dust and debris is if you find that your home's overall air quality has declined significantly. Upticks of allergy symptoms, asthma attacks, and other respiratory problems, especially in the off-season, can indicate that your ducts are completely clogged. The more debris that is within your ducts, the more debris will be spread throughout your home every time your HVAC system kicks into gear.

Persistent Odors

Related to the above point, another common sign of clogged ductwork is when there is a persistent odor throughout your home that does not seem to go away no matter how much you clean and scrub. This is usually because of dust and other particles within your ductwork system: in some cases, condensation within your ductwork can lead to mold and mildew growth, which is a health concern and can aggravate respiratory conditions as already mentioned.

For more information and assistance, contact your local AC services today.