Spring is often the busiest season of the year for duct cleaners. After a long, cold Chicago winter, many homeowners feel the need to scrub their homes inside and out, open their windows, and let in the fresh scents of spring. But what can you do about the winter grime that’s stuck inside your air ducts?

During the winter, all the dust, contaminants, and bacteria that enters your home gets trapped inside. We often say that air ducts serve as the lungs of your home, meaning that what they breathe in they’ll eventually breathe out. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) estimates that dirty air ducts circulate air pollutants and contaminants throughout a home five to seven times a day. Over time, this re-circulation of contaminants can build up in your HVAC system.

While opening your windows and deep cleaning is a great way to air out your home, the dust inside your ducts can’t be removed without professional help. That’s where a Four Seasons duct cleaning can help!

Our air duct cleaners use special tools to clean out the supply, intake, and return ducts throughout your home. For the typical family, duct cleaning can be done every three to five years. But many families choose to clean their ducts on a yearly basis because of the unique benefits it brings to their home in addition to better indoor air quality.

No More Allergies

One of the biggest reasons homeowners choose to have their ducts cleaned during spring is because of the increase of pollen and other allergens in the air. Dust, mold, pollen, pet dander, and even insects and rodents can live inside your ducts, wrecking havoc on the allergy sufferers in your home.

Anybody that suffers from airborne allergies knows they are a pain to deal with, especially when your indoor environment triggers them. No one wants to get dry eyes, an itchy throat, or a runny nose while watching TV with the family!

When allergens are trapped inside your ducts, it can be impossible to find relief from allergy symptoms when relaxing at home. Dusting, sweeping, and vacuuming can help, but you need to deal with the source of the issue to see results.

Getting your ducts cleaned by Four Seasons on a yearly basis prevents allergens from spreading throughout your home when you turn on your air conditioner. By removing the root of the problem, your home’s indoor air will be less likely to trigger allergic reactions during the spring.

Lingering Smells Gone

A less commonly known benefit of duct cleaning is its ability to reduce lingering smells in your home. Every home has a particular scent, and your ducts can contribute to how your home smells to your family and guests.

Bacteria and mold are often found inside ductwork, which can cause unpleasant odors. Small rodents such as mice also sometimes make their way into duct systems, leaving behind droppings or even dying inside. A dead mouse is a smell you won’t forget!

Pet dander, tobacco smoke, and cooking smells can all build up in your ducts as well, causing strong odors that are tough to erase. Anyone who’s ever burnt something in the kitchen knows how hard stinky smells can be to remove from their home. Duct cleaning will remove pollutants from your ducts that are causing nasty odors.

Lower Energy Use

When you turn on your air conditioner, cold air cycles through your duct system and spreads throughout your home. If your ducts are clogged with dust and debris, your HVAC system has to use extra energy to force the air through the ducts.

ENERGY STAR estimates that about 20% of the air that moves through your duct system is lost due to leaks and duct issues. When your HVAC system is forced to work harder to cool your home because of dirty ducts, your energy use goes up—and so does your monthly bill. By getting your air ducts cleaned during the spring, you can keep your system efficient and your energy bills low during the summer.

Cleaner Home

As mentioned above, your ducts can accumulate dust, mold, pollen, and any number of contaminants that make their way into your home. Since air cycles through your duct system, the dust and debris in your ducts will too. If you’ve ever noticed your home getting suspiciously dusty every week, this is probably why.

Getting your ducts cleaned prevents pollutants from entering your home over and over again, creating a cleaner environment overall. This is a great benefit for pet owners that have to deal with loose fur and dander (or for people that just hate dusting!).

Duct cleaning is one of the easiest ways to improve the indoor air quality in your home, but its benefits don’t stop there. From better energy efficiency to reduced allergy symptoms, getting your ducts cleaned is a decision that can benefit the whole family. Consider adding a Four Seasons duct cleaning to your spring cleaning list this season!