If you're noticing more dust, musty orders, and pet hair in your home, it may be time to clean your air ducts. Many homeowners overlook the importance of regular air duct cleaning, but our real estate agents know it's necessary for a clean home and healthy air quality. Take a look at five important reasons to add routine air duct cleaning to your household to-do list.

1. Clear Out Bad Odors and Smells
   Foul smells and musty odors from daily cooking, leftovers, cleaning products, dirty rugs, and overdue laundry can quickly create offensive odors in your home. You may not even notice them when you're home every day, but rest assured, your guests certainly will. Bad odors and smells often get trapped in your vents, so regular air duct cleaning will clear them out of your home and create fresh scents and better airflow throughout the house.

2. Get Rid of Dust and Pet Dander
   Household dust accumulates on floors, walls, furniture, and surfaces in every home without regular dusting and vacuuming. If you have a busy home with daily activities, kids, and pets, dust and pet dander can accumulate faster than you can clean. Excess dust and pet hair get trapped inside your air vents and duct system, and the only way you can remove them is by cleaning and deodorizing your vents and air duct system on a regular basis.

3. Improve Indoor Air Quality
   The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that indoor air is often 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air because it recirculates through your heating and air conditioning system (HVAC). For clean, healthy air quality in your home, the EPA recommends replacing your furnace filter every 30 days and cleaning your air duct system every three years. This will improve your air quality by reducing airborne contaminants like allergens, bacteria, dust, and pollen.

4. Lower Energy Costs
   Debris, dust, and contaminants in your HVAC system can cause your heating and cooling system to work harder. This means that your heater will run longer to heat your home, and your AC will run longer to keep you cool. What that means for your HVAC system is increased wear and tear and more frequent repairs. What it means for you as a homeowner is higher energy bills for yearly heating and cooling costs.

5. Remove Mold and Mildew
   Mold and mildew are something you don't want in your home. They can cause a variety of health problems for your family, including coughing, sneezing, skin rashes, allergic reactions, respiratory illnesses, and asthma. Mold and mildew are not always visible, but if you notice it around your air vents, you're likely breathing it in through your HVAC system. If your system is leaking, black mold, a dangerous toxic mold that can cause severe health problems, may form in hidden spaces.

If you're thinking about buying or selling in Long Island, contact us to learn more about our Nassau County homes for sale and our Suffolk County homes for sale. We can help you find the perfect home that's just the right fit for your family's lifestyle.