In the middle of a dark wintery Saskatchewan evening, the last thing you want is for your furnace to quit. With snow coming you will see many warnings about clearing your furnace vents of snow. Many ask does this mean you need to clean your ducts? And the answer is not necessarily. 

During extreme winter weather events (i.e. heavy snowfall and extreme cold), your furnace and water heater exhaust vents may become blocked with snow, ice, or frost. New models of furnaces are factory programmed to automatically shut off when Carbon Monoxide (CO) levels are higher than usual within your home. Without proper ventilation, carbon monoxide can build up inside your home and the consequences can be fatal. The burning of natural gas produces both water and CO. Where do these gases go? Furnace exhaust gases are vented outside via a PVC pipe and are typically one to two feet above the ground.

If you notice your furnace is not properly heating your home, check to ensure your exhaust vents are clear of any obstructions. Even if your furnace is running, there is a possibility that the exhaust vent could be partially blocked. Over the cold winter months, frost can build up slowly in and around the vent, reducing your furnace’s efficiency. So whether it’s for optimal efficiency or protection from carbon monoxide, it’s important to keep your exhaust vents clear.

Call today to book your appointment with Bridge City Duct Cleaning.

It is normal for the return registers to get dusty as dust-laden air is pulled through the grate. This does not indicate that your air ducts are contaminated with heavy deposits of dust or debris; the registers can be easily vacuumed or removed and cleaned; however, there are signs your air ducts need cleaning:

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. In normal situations, air ducts do not release visible dust or debris when the heating and cooling system is switched on, and the air starts flowing through the ducts. 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.

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.

This is only applicable if you use a gas stove, furnace or fireplace. Because your ducts are connected to each and every room in the house, it’s important to ensure that there’s no gas trapped inside them. This could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. For this reason, it’s recommended that you have your heating system inspected at the beginning of every season.

Another telltale sign of the presence of debris in the system and that you should conduct serious ventilation system cleaning is odour. If you experience an unpleasant smell in your home and can’t find the source, it could be emanating from the air duct system. You should get up close to all the air registers for a good sniff to verify these suspicions. You can also have a technician inspect the air ducts for anything that could be emitting a bad smell.

Take a look at these 5 signs that your air ducts need cleaning, and if you find the signs, then let our professional team of experts at Bridge City Duct Cleaning take care of your dryer vent cleaning to prevent damage to your air and your home. 

Let the professional team of experts at Bridge City Duct Cleaning take care of your spring duct cleaning to help optimize the air quality in your home!