When my monthly energy bills steadily increased, I blamed the age of the air conditioner.
When my house felt overheated no matter how low I adjusted the thermostat, I became convinced the cooling system would soon need to be replaced.
Unwilling to make such a big investment, I tried to ignore the excessive amounts of dust in the air and slight musty smell coming from the vents. It wasn’t until I started getting headaches and sneezing every time the air conditioner started up that I finally called an HVAC contractor for repair. The technician inspected the entire system and I braced myself for his recommendation. I was not expecting him to tell me there was nothing wrong with the air conditioner. He explained that the duct system was responsible for all of my complaints. He asked when was the last time I’d had the ductwork professionally serviced. Since moving into the house fifteen years earlier, I’d never once given the ducts a single thought. The HVAC contractor discovered a significant amount of debris buildup within the system, including dust, webs, bugs, dead rodents and mold. Every time the air conditioner started up, the air was passing through the dirty ducts and spreading harmful toxins throughout the house. Not only was the buildup within the ducts causing issues with indoor air quality but also restricting airflow through the system. Since the maximum amount of cool air wasn’t reaching the various rooms, the air conditioner was required to run for longer cycles. It was drawing more energy, costing more every month and experiencing needless wear and tear.