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Is it Time to Clean Your Air Ducts?

Smart Plumbing Technologies and Trends

Just like your car or any major appliance, your home’s cooling system will perform better with regular maintenance, and air duct cleaning is just one of the services to consider ensuring the longevity of your entire HVAC system.

Despite routinely replacing filters, your home’s HVAC system gets dirty with regular everyday use, and unfortunately, your air ducts are a favorite hiding place for dust, dirt, and allergens to linger. That dust and dirt is filled with contaminants and air pollutants that can not only harm your indoor air quality but can also cause your system to work harder. This not only increases your energy bills, but it can also significantly shorten the lifespan of your system.

Appearance of Mold

The appearance of mold is never a good sign. It could mean a number of issues with your ducts. It’s important to check for mold for a variety of reasons, most prominently, to protect your health. Mold can cause breathing and other health-related problems. If you notice any mold in your ducts, call our duct cleaning service in Ontario immediately.

You See Rodents or Insects

Wildlife in your ducts is a big problem. If you notice any signs that there might be an infestation in your ducts, it’s definitely time to have your air ducts cleaned by a professional. Look out for small scratches, insect husks and shells along with rodent droppings. All could be signs that you have a couple of unwanted house guests living in your vents.

Higher Than Normal Energy Bill

Your heating and cooling costs should be relatively predictable from year to year. If you receive a bill that is noticeably high, especially compared to the same time a year ago, dirty ductwork might be to blame.

At times, ductwork can become so dirty that air isn’t able to flow freely and efficiently through your home’s HVAC system. When this happens, both your furnace and air conditioner are forced to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. This added energy expenditure means higher utility bills for you and your family.

Dust and Debris When Starting Your Heating Unit

One of the best ways to tell if your ducts need cleaning is to check how much dust and debris are blown out when starting your heating unit. Sometimes an accumulation of dust will make it seem like your ducts need to be cleaned, so be sure to perform this check only after a fresh filter has been installed. It’s important that your ducts be free of these substances as they can cause issues with energy efficiency and air quality throughout your home.

Schedule Duct Cleaning in Ontario Today!

For duct cleaning services in Ontario, Toshack is here to help! We have ninety years of experience serving Brockville, Kingston, and the surrounding areas. Generations of local families have relied on us for duct cleaning services, and we’re here for you as well.

Contact us to schedule a service appointment.

Should You Schedule an Air Duct Cleaning?

Should You Schedule an Air Duct Cleaning?

What is Air Duct Cleaning?

Air duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing

Reasons to Schedule an Air Duct Cleaning

There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system.

There are several important points to understand concerning mold detection in heating and cooling systems:

 

  • Many sections of your heating and cooling system may not be accessible for a visible inspection, so ask the service provider to show you any mold they say exists.
  • You should be aware that although a substance may look like mold, a positive determination of whether it is mold or not can be made only by an expert and may require laboratory analysis for final confirmation. Some microbiology laboratories can tell you whether a sample sent to them on a clear strip of sticky household tape is mold or simply a substance that resembles it.
  • If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy it cannot be effectively cleaned and should be removed and replaced.
  • If the conditions causing the mold growth in the first place are not corrected, mold growth will recur.
  • Ducts are infested with vermin, e.g. (rodents or insects).
  • Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.

 

Deciding Whether or Not to Have an Air Duct Cleaning

You may consider having an air duct cleaning simply because it seems logical that air ducts will get dirty over time and should occasionally be cleaned. While the debate about the value of periodic duct cleaning continues, no evidence suggests that such cleaning would be detrimental to air quality, provided that it is done properly.

What To Do Next

If you have further questions or wish to schedule a consultation, we invite you to contact Toshack by phone at 1-888-547-6162 or online.

How to Maintain Good Air Quality in Your Home: Essential Tips

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Maintaining good air quality in your home is important for your health and well-being. Many people don’t realize how much time they spend indoors, and it’s important to make sure the air you’re breathing is clean. In this blog post, we will discuss some essential tips for maintaining good air quality in your home. Follow these tips, and ensure you get the best heating services in Kingston and Brockville to keep your HVAC system in top shape, and you’ll be able to breathe easy!

Clean Your Filters

One of the most important things you can do to maintain good air quality in your home is to clean your filters regularly. Dirty filters will reduce airflow and cause your HVAC system to work harder, which can lead to increased energy costs and decreased comfort. Most filters should be cleaned every month or so but be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions.

Get a Humidifier

If you live in a dry climate, you may want to consider getting a humidifier to add moisture to the air. Dry air can cause respiratory problems and other health issues. A humidifier will help to combat these problems and improve your indoor air quality.

Get Your Ducts Cleaned

Dirty ducts can also cause problems with air quality. Dust, dirt, and other allergens can build up in your ducts over time, which can lead to respiratory problems and other health issues if left unattended for a long time. Get them cleaned by a professional regularly.

Vacuum Regularly

Another simple way to maintain good air quality in your Kingston or Brockville home is to vacuum regularly. Dust and dirt can cause respiratory problems, so it’s important to remove them from the air as often as possible. Vacuuming also helps to keep your furniture and floors clean.

Plants – A Mixed Bag

While some plants can improve air quality by removing toxins from the air, other plants can release harmful toxins. It’s important to research which plants are best for your home and avoid those that could potentially cause problems. Some plants could lead to mold and other allergens, so it’s important to take this into account when choosing plants.

Get the Best Heating Services in Kingston & Brockville Now!

These are just a few of the essential tips for maintaining good air quality in your home. For more tips and advice, be sure to contact the experts at Toshack for the best heating services in Kingston and Brockville.

Can Air Conditioners Improve Your Indoor Air Quality?

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Indoor air is nearly ten times more polluted compared to the outdoors. These pollutants can cause a variety of health problems, such as respiratory issues or nasal congestion. Looking at ways to improve the quality of indoor air is important in creating a safe environment for you and your loved ones. Reaching out to a company like ours that offers heating and cooling in Kingston is a good idea if you are trying to improve the quality of your indoor air.

Will Air Conditioners Help With Indoor Air Pollution?

Air conditioners can provide clean air for a short while, but they are ineffective at reducing allergens indoors. A dirty air conditioner can spread allergens in the air, which can cause a variety of issues. Mold in an air conditioner can even trigger chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), as it’s important to get your system inspected at least twice a year.

Why You Need to Replace Your Air Filters

Not changing the air filter for your air conditioner regularly is a common mistake made by many people. Replacing your filter every few months will improve the quality of air in your home while also improving the efficiency of your system. Using High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters is especially effective at reducing allergens in the air due to their design.

How to Choose the Right Filter?

The easiest way to find the best filter for your air conditioner is to check out the MERV rating for your system. Typically, residential filters range anywhere between MERV 8 to MERV 13. A MERV 8 will trap mold spores, hairspray particles, and dust mites, while Merv 9 to MERV 12 filters can trap finer particles and even automotive emissions due to their design.

Additional Ways to Keep Your Indoor Air Clean

Replacing your filter on a frequent basis is just one of the many ways you can improve the quality of your indoor air. Keeping your home clean and it airing it out on a regular basis is also an effective way to eliminate pollutants. Adding a few indoor plants in your home is also beneficial in improving the quality of air inside your home.

Contact Toshack If You Need Heating and Cooling in Kingston

Toshack offers heating and cooling services for customers throughout Kingston. Contact our team today to request a free quote!