Your air ducts are the connection between your HVAC system and the rest of your home, and they play a major role in your overall comfort. Over time, they may become clogged with dirt, dust, and other debris, which can make its way into the air you breathe. While this might not initially be a problem, it can exacerbate existing respiratory problems over time. 

If you want to avoid this, it is time to clean your air ducts. At R&D Heating and Air, our team understands how important it is to maintain great air quality in your home throughout the year. Without great air quality, you may experience extreme allergies and respiratory irritations that you may otherwise be able to avoid. If you want to learn about the signs that it is time to clean your air ducts to improve your home’s air quality, keep reading to see what you should look out for. 

1. Your Air Filters Become Clogged Quickly

You should be replacing the air filters in your HVAC system once every three months. You may need to do this more frequently if you have pets or you experience extreme allergies to prevent respiratory irritation. However, if your air filters are getting clogged more quickly than this, it may be a sign that you need to clean your air ducts. 

2. There’s a Musty Smell

If you have invested in regular HVAC maintenance, there shouldn’t be any strange smells coming from the system. You may, however, notice a musty smell coming from your AC or heater during the first few runs of the season. This musty smell may indicate that dirt and dust are being burned in your system, and it might be a good time to clean your air ducts. 

3. You’re Experiencing Poor Air Flow

When the accumulation of dust and dirt in your air ducts is too extreme, it may begin to block air from flowing from your HVAC system through your home. If you hold a hand up to a vent and feel very little airflow, this might be a sign that it is time to contact your trusted HVAC professional to schedule an air duct cleaning. 

4. Pests are in Your Air Ducts

Pests in your home can be incredibly irritating, but they’re even worse when they infiltrate your home’s air ducts and HVAC system. When you notice any signs of an infestation, in addition to scheduling an appointment with an extermination company, you should consider contacting a trusted HVAC company to schedule air duct cleaning as well. 

5. You Have Mold in Your Home

Mold in your home can be incredibly harmful, especially if you don’t address this mold growth. Once you’ve had mold remediation, you should also clean your air ducts. Mold spores can become airborne and may fester in the dark, cool recesses of your air ducts, making this cleaning essential if you want to avoid persistent mold growth problems. 

6. Allergy Symptoms are Getting Worse

If you deal with persistent allergies, you likely know what your triggers are. However, if you are experiencing a resurgence of allergy problems or you’re experiencing these problems out of nowhere, this may mean excessive dirt, dust, and other allergens are in your air ducts. If you want to alleviate these symptoms and improve your comfort in your home, you might want to clean your air ducts. 

7. Home is Heating and Cooling Slowly

Your HVAC system is designed to perfectly heat and cool your home. When the system is on, it shouldn’t struggle to reach your desired temperature. If your system is taking far longer to warm your home than it has in the past, this might be a result of debris and contaminant build-up in your air ducts, making a clean an absolute necessity. 

8. You’ve Never Cleaned Them

If you’ve lived in your home for years and you’ve never invested in proper cleaning, it might be the perfect time to clean your air ducts. On average, your home’s air ducts should be cleaned once every three to five years. If it has been any longer than that, there may be a significant build-up of dirt, dust, and debris in your ducts that can degrade the air quality in your home. 

Clean Your Air Ducts with R&D Heating and Air

If your Roy, Utah, home could use an air duct cleaning, our team at R&D Heating and Air is here to help. We have over two decades of experience helping homeowners across the Wasatch Front with a variety of HVAC needs, including air duct cleaning. With this experience, we’re confident that we’re the right team to hire to clean your air ducts.

Whether you want to improve the air quality in your home, boost heating and cooling efficiency, or need a gas fireplace or refrigeration repair, our team is here to help you achieve a more comfortable home. If you would like to schedule air duct cleaning with our team or have any questions about the services we provide, don’t hesitate to contact us today. 

As the summer months approach and you turn on your air conditioner, you may begin to notice sounds you hadn’t before. In some cases, these sounds may begin to fade into the background as the system continues to run. However, some sounds coming from your air conditioner may be a sign that there is a problem in the system.

But how do you learn which sounds are normal and which might mean you have a larger problem on your hands? Our team at R&D Heating and Air understands any sound your air conditioner may make and whether they are cause for concern. In this blog, we’ll discuss the most common sounds to provide you with peace of mind while the system runs. 

Do Sounds Coming From Your Air Conditioner Indicate a Problem?

If you hear sounds coming from your air conditioner, you might worry that this is a sign of a larger problem within the system. While unfamiliar sounds may be coming from the system, this doesn’t necessarily mean there is a problem with your air conditioner. In fact, it isn’t uncommon for your air conditioner to make noises while functioning normally. 

One reason you may be hearing more noise than you have in the past is that you’ve replaced the system recently. When you are accustomed to a specific system, you may begin to subconsciously block the standard noises it makes. Once a new, more energy efficient system is installed, you may begin to hear sounds coming from your air conditioner that you aren’t accustomed to. 

However, not all sounds coming from your air conditioner are created equal, and they may indicate problems within the system. In many cases, it is in your best interest to reach out to a trusted HVAC professional 

Understanding Sounds Coming From Your Air Conditioner

One way to grow accustomed to the sounds coming from your air conditioner is by being able to decode them. Air conditioners make a variety of noises while functioning, but there are a few sounds that may indicate problems within your system. Some of the most common air conditioner sounds include: 

1. Wooshing

When your air conditioner turns on, you may hear a wooshing sound reminiscent of a plane taking off. While you might think this indicates a problem, it is a normal noise that the system makes as it turns on and begins throwing air throughout your home. This wooshing noise may begin to subside as your ductwork expands from the air and isn’t any cause for concern. 

2. Soft Clicking

As your system runs and your home reaches your desired temperature, you may hear soft clicking sounds coming from your air conditioner. You may even hear this sound several times throughout the day. However, this clicking noise is an indication that the system is turning off, and you shouldn’t worry about it. 

3. Hissing

Your refrigerant runs through coils in your air conditioner, helping to keep your home cool throughout the day. If you hear hissing sounds coming from your air conditioner, this may be a sign that there is a hole in the coil. This requires replacement to ensure your home is cool and your energy bills don’t rise as you try to cool your space. 

4. Squealing

If your air conditioner is making a squealing noise, this may indicate that the system is under a great deal of pressure. This pressure can cause permanent damage if you choose to ignore it. When you hear the squealing, it is essential that you turn off the system and reach out to a trusted HVAC professional as soon as possible for repairs. 

5. Buzzing

In some cases, buzzing sounds coming from your air conditioner might mean your system is frozen. However, if the system isn’t frozen, it may mean there is an electrical problem with the system. Check to see if the system is frozen, and if it isn’t, turn it off immediately and reach out to your HVAC team to make any necessary repairs. 

6. Rattling

If there are any loose components in your air conditioner, you may begin to hear rattling. While you might not think this is a problem, loose parts can fall off and damage other parts of the system. If you are too weary about tightening parts within your air conditioner, contact your HVAC professional for maintenance. During this appointment, they can tighten these loose parts. 

Addressing Sounds Coming From Your Air Conditioner in Roy, Utah

If you hear sounds coming from your air conditioner and you believe they might indicate a problem within the system, reach out to our team at R&D Heating and Air. With over two decades of experience in the HVAC industry, our team can identify the cause of the sounds and make quick repairs, allowing you to return to everyday activities without the hassle of intrusive noises.

In addition to caring for your home’s air conditioning unit, we also provide duct cleaning, gas fireplace repairs, and much more to ensure Roy, Utah, homeowners are comfortable in their space all year long. If you would like to discuss sounds coming from your air conditioner with our team or you have any questions for us, don’t hesitate to contact us today. 

As a homeowner, you probably do everything possible to keep your home comfortable throughout the year without breaking the bank with high energy bills. Thankfully, there are plenty of simple ways to optimize the efficiency of your HVAC system and reduce your energy consumption. But if you are a new homeowner, you might not know how to do this. 

At R & D Heating and Air, we understand how important it is for homeowners to keep their homes comfortable throughout the warmest and coldest months of the year. However, you might not know where to begin to maintain your indoor temperature without raising your energy bills. Keep reading to learn our top 10 energy-saving tips that will help keep your home comfortable while also saving money on your utility bills.

1. Invest in a Smart Thermostat

If you want to keep your home comfortable, even if you aren’t home to adjust your thermostat, you should invest in a programmable smart thermostat. With these thermostats, you can lower the temperature of your home while you’re at work and schedule it to automatically adjust to a warmer temperature before you return home. This small adjustment can lead to significant energy savings over time. 

2. Seal Air Leaks

Air leaks not only allow warmed and cooled air to escape your home but may also be responsible for warm and cool air infiltration. These air leaks around windows, doors, and ductwork can cause your HVAC system to work harder to keep your home comfortable. Seal any gaps or cracks with weatherstripping or caulking to prevent air from escaping and keep your home more insulated. 

3. Improve Insulation

Proper insulation is essential for keeping your home comfortable year-round. If you’ve moved into a new home and it isn’t staying as warm or cool as you’d like, it might be time to inspect your insulation. You can add insulation to your attic, walls, and floors to prevent heat transfer and reduce the workload on your HVAC system. This increased insulation can also lead to substantial energy savings and a more consistent indoor temperature.

4. Keep Vents Clear

Keeping air vents clear of obstructions is an essential part of caring for your HVAC system. Ensure your vents and registers are not blocked by furniture, curtains, and other obstacles. Any blocked vents restrict airflow and force your HVAC system to work harder to maintain your desired temperature. Keep vents clear to maximize your HVAC system’s efficiency and keep your home comfortable all year long. 

5. Use Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are a great way to distribute air more evenly throughout your space and keep your home comfortable, helping push air from your HVAC system. If you don’t have ceiling fans in your home, you should consider installing them in rooms you spend a great deal of time in. If you do, set your fan to rotate clockwise at a low speed to push warm air down from the ceiling. In the summer, set them to rotate counterclockwise to create a cooling breeze.

6. Use Curtains and Blinds

During the summer months, you may want to open curtains and blinds to allow plenty of sunlight into your space. However, keeping them closed during the hottest part of the day blocks out sunlight and prevents heat gain. In the winter months, open your curtains during the day to allow sunlight to naturally warm your home, then close them at night to retain heat. By using your curtains accordingly, you can aid your HVAC system’s heating and cooling process. 

7. Install Energy-Efficient Windows

Energy-efficient windows can help prevent heat transfer and reduce the workload on your HVAC system. If you have older, single-pane windows or you feel cold and warm air infiltration when you’re near these windows, you might want to consider making the investment in new, more energy-efficient options for your home. Look for windows with low-emissivity coatings and multiple panes of glass to improve insulation and keep your home more comfortable year-round.

8. Regularly Change Air Filters

Changing out your air filters regularly is a great way to ensure your HVAC system is working properly. Dirty air filters can restrict airflow and reduce the efficiency of your system. Check your filters regularly and replace them as needed. On average, your air filters should be replaced once every one to three months. This simple maintenance task can improve indoor air quality, extend the life of your system, and keep your home comfortable no matter the weather. 

9. Consider HVAC Upgrades

If your HVAC system is outdated or inefficient, you may spend a great deal of time and money on making repairs, and you might want to consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient model to keep your home comfortable. Newer systems are often designed to use less energy while providing better performance and comfort. Although the initial cost of investing in an upgraded system may be higher, the long-term savings in energy bills can make it a worthwhile investment.

10. Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance

Regular maintenance is crucial for ensuring that your HVAC system operates efficiently. Without proper maintenance, you may experience unexpected breakdowns that make it difficult to keep your home comfortable through warm and cold weather. Schedule annual tune-ups with a professional technician to clean filters, check for leaks, and ensure all components are working properly. A well-maintained system will use less energy and last longer.

Keep Your Home Comfortable Year-Round with R & D Heating and Air

If you want to schedule HVAC maintenance to keep your home comfortable in the Northern Utah area, turn to our team at R & D Heating and Air. We have over 20 years of experience in the HVAC industry, making us the perfect choice for installing, tuning up, and maintaining your home’s HVAC system as well.

In addition to HVAC maintenance, our team performs air vent cleanings, installs home humidifiers, repairs gas fireplaces, and much more. No matter what HVAC service you need, our team is here to help. If you would like to schedule maintenance to keep your home comfortable year-round, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.