What Happens If You Don't Clean Your Ducts?

Dirty air ducts can cause more than just dusty vents. If left unclean, they can actually pose a potential health risk to your home and its occupants. Getting rid of dirt and debris is important because it will circulate throughout the entire house, which will expose everyone to harmful toxins. Letting dust accumulate inside the vents also leads to less airflow, while making it harder for furnace filters to do their job properly. This means that you're paying for energy without getting the proper benefits in return. There are multiple reasons why it's essential that you clean out dirty air ducts , not least of which is an extra expense on your energy bills over time.

A typical duct system contains some or all of the following:

Duct tape
Zinc, lead, and/or asbestos insulation
Insect nests (insects like dusty areas)
Mouse droppings
Rodent hairs (rodents like dusty areas)
Mold (mold needs dust to grow on)

What does that mean? It means that if you do not clean your ducts, you are breathing in some harmful contaminants. Also, these contaminants can escape into your home through ventilation systems which can cause health problems for your family members who live with you.

The purpose of your heating and cooling systems is to protect you from extreme temperatures, but when they get dirty they put you at risk. Dirt and dust will get in the air ducts and contaminate the air you breathe. When dirt accumulates, bacteria can grow. This is not healthy for people with allergies or asthma since that will only increase their symptoms. The EPA has a full article on IAQ(indoor air quality) and the relation to HVAC cleanliness among other things.
Dirty air ducts can also cause a number of problems throughout your HVAC system including:

Decreased efficiency leading to higher energy bills
Decrease in air flow causing uneven heating or cooling
A rusting effect on your heat exchanger, increasing the risk of a fire

If you have allergies or asthma, not having your heating and cooling systems clean will only worsen your symptoms. Cleaning your air ducts regularly will prevent all of these problems by removing excess dirt that could cause damage to your system or lead to health issues in your home.

Whether new or old, the homeowner should inspect the ductwork in a home. If you see dust or dirt coming out of vents throughout their house, this could indicate that there is poor air flow in the ventilation system. The location of this problem may make it difficult to determine how best to fix it; however, you should call an air duct cleaning professional if the dirt and dust seems severe.
Once all visible build up has been removed from your system (and your warranty period has expired), you need to maintain your central heating system on a regular basis . Doing so will help ensure that contaminants are not allowed to accumulate rapidly inside your heating elements or ducts; therefore, decreasing the chance of expensive furnace repair bills in the future. Contact the professionals at Midwest Duct Cleaning for more information and a quote.
Most homeowners agree that the best time to clean your HVAC system is when it's already running during winter or summer, when you wouldn't have to worry about heating and cooling costs adding up due to a broken furnace in the middle of a cold winter night. Cleaning filters and returns will ensure maximum airflow through your heating and cooling equipment - which means the right temperature in the house with no worries about high energy bills.