Should I Clean My Air Ducts Before Winter?

Fall and winter in Ohio are about as predictable as the lottery. Many people in our area take extra measures in the wintertime to seal up the house and make sure that there is a strong barrier between the frigid outside temperatures and their living rooms. This prevents any outside air from being circulated in the home from any other source other than our air ducts. If the air ducts are dirty, then they will contaminate the air circulating in the home. If you’re asking yourself “should I clean my air ducts before winter?” - just know that whatever level of cleanliness you have is what you’re going to be inhaling all winter long.

What is Air Duct Cleaning?

Air ducts are the conduits that transfer air from the outdoors into the home courtesy of our HVAC system. Air duct cleaning is essentially inserting a specialized vacuum into the duct system of your home. This negative pressure loosens and removes contaminants such as dust or allergens. It also prevents these contaminants from entering the home.

Here are our top 3 reasons why air duct cleaning is crucial before winter here in Ohio.

You’re About to Begin Spending More Time Indoors

According to the EPA, some pollutants are 2 to 5 times more concentrated indoors. Clean air in your home is all the more critical when you’re spending the majority of your time staying warm inside. People tend to blame pollen and smog for respiratory health issues, but indoor air quality is the far more likely culprit for many Ohioans. 

Although many of us have a pretty thorough cleaning schedule for our homes, contaminants can still build up just from daily life. The likelihood of buildup increases dramatically if we have indoor pets. Bacteria, pet dander, dust, and other allergens can be drawn into your HVAC and deposited in the vents over time. This air is then recirculated in your home all winter as your vents are the only thing not sealed up for the winter.

You’re Dealing with Asthma and Allergies

If your family has a history of asthma or allergies, you may be more susceptible to the side effects of contaminants in your circulating air during the winter months. Many people with these conditions can have a really rough time in the winter, between the extra dry air and indoor contaminants.

You Want to Keep the House Clean

Have you ever felt like no matter how much you clean, everything just seems to continue getting dirty? This might mean that you’re due for a duct cleaning. Dirty air ducts can circulate dust and other contaminants throughout your home, making it dirty again no matter how often you clean.

Some other hints, other than layers of dust around the home, are dark lines on upholstery or dust accumulation around open vents. If you notice either of these signs, you should get ahold of our office here at GMC Heating and Cooling immediately for an inspection and duct cleaning.

What if I need my Air Ducts Cleaned?

Call the Professionals: Give our office a call at (330) 484-4328. GMC Heating and Cooling has professionals with the proper equipment and knowledge to get you taken care of.

Schedule early: Appointments will fill up as others decide to improve their indoor air quality during the cold months, and homeowners want to reserve themselves a spot.