You may have noticed that over time, musty smells may begin coming from your vents and filling your home. This can be a sign of mildew and mold in the system. Read on for tips on how to get that musty smell out of your house, for good!
Allergies, sinus infections, asthma, and other respiratory problems may be caused by dirt, debris, or mold spores caught in your ductwork, so it’s important to keep up with regular system maintenance.
Replace Your Air Filter
When your air filter gets clogged, it can cause smells to back up into your home. Remember, your filter is there to trap mold, dust, and allergens, so when it’s completely clogged they have nowhere to go but back into your house. If you have a smart thermostat, it may remind you when to change your air filter. If not, it is recommended to change them every 30 to 90 days. If you smoke or have more than one pet, you may need to change it every 30 to 60 days instead.
The MERV rating on your filters will show how effective your filter is at trapping debris, mold spores, and bacteria in the air. The higher the MERV rating, the smaller the particles it can capture.
If after changing out your air filter you still have musty smells, you may need a professional to intervene.
Check for Infestation
It’s sometimes hard to tell if there are animals in your ductwork without cameras, but use the senses you have at your disposal and they’ll give you a good hint. If you have unusual smells or hear something in your ducts, those are good clues. If you are unsure if you have an infestation, we recommend you call us immediately.
Visible Mold
The most obvious sign of mold growth in your home is a black growth near the vents. While you are most likely unable to check out the entirety of your system, if there is mold at the vents, it’s blowing all throughout your home. If you see mold such as this, call us immediately. The CDC reports that recent studies suggest a potential link between early mold exposure and asthma in children, so for the health and safety of your family check all of your vents at least twice a year.
If you haven’t had your ducts or HVAC system checked in over a year, or if you believe your home may be contaminated, call Branch Services at 631.467.6600. We are open 24 hours a day and will do our best to resolve your HVAC issue before the really cold weather gets here!