During the summer months, you likely look forward to cookouts with your family, lazy afternoons by the pool, and relaxing evenings inside your well-air-conditioned home. However, if your home’s air ducts are dirty, your home will not feel quite as comfortable or cool.

The one question many homeowners have is – how can they tell it is time to call the professionals for air duct cleaning? This is a good question. Keep reading to learn the top signs you need to invest in air duct cleaning services here.

Visible Dust on the Vent Covers and Registers

Even if you clean your house every week, dirty ducts may reveal themselves because of built-up dust on your registers and vent covers. You may also see more dirt than usual around your home, which may make you wonder if you have even cleaned recently. If this sounds familiar, it is a good idea to contact the professionals for an inspection.

To help prevent additional dust build up in the future, consider talking with the technician that comes to your home about higher quality air filters or the installation of an air purifier. These are devices that can work with your home’s HVAC system to trap an array of airborne particles, such as tobacco, dust, bacteria, and smoke before they get into your ducts.

You See Mold Around or In Your HVAC System

Dust may negatively impact your health, but mold is a different beast altogether. Not only will the growth of mold make allergies and respiratory issues worse, but it can also spread through your home quickly. It doesn’t matter if you see mold around the vent covers, or if you see it growing around your inside air conditioning unit, it is essential that you take action right away to protect your home’s indoor air quality.

Along with a total duct cleaning service, the technicians who come to your home may also recommend that you take additional steps to help prevent excess moisture in your home. Mold thrives and grows in wet areas, which is something that can be prevented by using a whole-home dehumidifier or by optimizing the settings on your programmable thermostat. If your AC system seems like it is attracting mold or other types of bacteria, using a UV germicidal light will provide you with a viable solution.

The Airflow Isn’t Consistent in Different Rooms

Have you ever noticed that a bedroom, bathroom, or even the living room is not receiving the same level of airflow that the other rooms in your house do? If so, you may have a dirty-duct situation. After all, when vents are fully open, they should provide relatively consistent airflow from one room to the other.

If you have noticed any of the issues listed here with your home’s air ducts, now is the time to call the professionals for an inspection. They can help ensure the ducts are clean and recommend services when necessary to minimize dust and the other issues mentioned above.