Mold in your home isn’t just an eyesore, it poses serious health risks, from triggering allergies to aggravating asthma and other respiratory condi...

Posted by Ryan | October 10, 2024

Mold in your home isn’t just an eyesore, it poses serious health risks, from triggering allergies to aggravating asthma and other respiratory conditions. For Alberta homeowners, where varying temperatures and levels of humidity can create ideal conditions for mold growth, ensuring clean indoor air is crucial.

One often overlooked source of mold is your home’s ductwork, and regular duct cleaning can go a long way in preventing mold growth by ensuring your air ducts stay free from moisture, dust and other contaminants.

In today’s blog the knowledgeable technicians at Action Furnace will go over the duct cleaning process, its many benefits, and how to tell when it’s time to schedule a cleaning before it’s too late.
Stay ahead of potential mold issues by making regular duct cleaning a part of your routine maintenance. Let’s go!

Fungal mold growth on a wall corner near a window in a home. 

Woman in bed suffering from allergies, blowing her nose, indicating health risks from mold exposure. 

Black mold on bathroom walls and shower area caused by humidity and poor ventilation, highlighting the need for duct cleaning to prevent bacterial buildup.

Mold - Yuck!

We all know mold is gross, and the appearance of it is never a good sign. But how much do you actually know about it?

Mold is a type of fungus that grows in damp, warm environments (like your air ducts), and the most common type of mold found in residential homes is black mold. Black mold poses serious health risks, ranging from mild allergic reactions, to severe respiratory problems, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems. And the key to preventing mold is by controlling its environment.

Conditions Mold Needs To Thrive

Mold requires the perfect combination of moisture, organic material and warmth to grow. And areas of your home with poor ventilation or high humidity, such as basements, bathrooms and air ducts create the perfect breeding grounds.

Something as small as a leak or condensation build up within ducts can trigger mold growth. And when combined with high levels of dirt and dust, that act as that organic material source for mold to feed on, mold will quickly take hold.

Common Sources of Mold

Mold can appear in your home through various sources, often cleverly hidden until the growth becomes too big to ignore.

Common sources include: water leaks in plumbing or roofing, condensation build up on windows, poorly ventilated bathrooms, and wet basements. In your ducts, excess moisture is usually caused by inadequate insulation, or a malfunctioning heating or cooling system.

Keeping these problem areas in check is crucial for mold prevention.

Mold buildup in a dirty air duct, indicating poor air quality. 

Black mold forming along the edge of a room. 

Damage on a wall caused by dampness and moisture.

Senior woman calling a technician while collecting water leaking from the ceiling in the living room, highlighting plumbing leaks as a common source of mold.

Do Your Ducts Need to be Cleaned?

Ok, so by now we’ve established that duct cleaning is a great addition to your arsenal in the fight against mold. But how do you know when it’s time to schedule a cleaning?

Signs of Mold

Common signs of mold growth in your ducts include:

Odours

A persistent, musty smell when your HVAC system is running is one of the most common signs of mold in your ducts. The odour is often recognizable before the visual signs appear.

Visible Mold Growth

We know this sounds silly, like of course visually seeing mold means mold is present. But it’s important to note where you’re seeing it. If you notice mold in other places like around your vents, or drip pans, then it more than likely is also in your ducts.

Increased Allergy or Respiratory Symptoms

If you or your family members begin to experience worsening allergy symptoms, getting sick more often or are having trouble breathing, mold in your ductwork could be circulating harmful spores throughout your home.

Notice one or more of these signs? We recommend following up with a DIY visual inspection.

First, put on a mask. Seriously, we don’t want you getting to close and personal with that mold. Then using a flashlight, take a look in and around your ducts. Are there high levels of dust and dirt, are there cracks and leaks in the ducts themselves, has the insulation surrounding them seen better days?
All of these are signs that a thorough cleaning and inspection from the team at Action Furnace is in order.

Dust coming out of an air duct, indicating a potential danger leading to respiratory problems. 

Blonde woman sitting at home holding a tissue, feeling unwell due to respiratory issues.

Benefits of Regular Duct Cleaning From Action Furnace

As we mentioned above, regular duct cleaning is the best way to remove the dust and debris that mold spores are snacking on. And clean ducts also make it easier to spot potential damage and other issues that could also contribute to mold growth.
So count on the experienced team at Action Furnace.

What To Expect From Our Duct Cleaning Service

Here’s what you can expect when you schedule our trusted, comprehensive duct cleaning service in Calgary, Red Deer or Edmonton.

Evaluation

Before any cleaning begins, your personal technician will inspect your furnace and connecting ductwork looking for signs of damage or build up. They will then give you the best cleaning recommendation for your home’s unique needs.

Recommendation

All duct cleaning recommendations are thoroughly explained and take into consideration the age and condition of not only your air ducts, but also your furnace.

And with Action’s No Surprise Guarantee, the investment quoted is what you pay. No additional charges during or after cleaning.

Cleaning

Your Action Furnace technician will clean every duct and vent in your home, and then replace your existing furnace filter with a new one to improve air quality.

Our team is dedicated to providing you clean and respectful service. Each of our technicians wear booties and lay down protective floor coverings, and we complete your cleaning with minimal interruption to your everyday life.

Our duct cleaning technicians are the best in skill, attitude and workmanship. They will care for your nome and complete the job with speed and precision. If they have not performed in accordance with our high standards, we’ll provide you with a 1 year free club membership at no charge.

Speaking of club memberships, why don’t you become a member?

An Action Furnace sales representative wearing a headset and branded hoodie, smiling and ready to connect a customer with a technician. 

An Action Furnace technician standing in front of a branded truck, arriving on-site to service ducts and ensure they remain clean and fresh with regular maintenance.

Become A Member Today!

Once your ducts are clean and fresh, keep them and your HVAC equipment in top notch condition, with regular maintenance from Action Furnace.
Enter the Comfort Club, where we help make annual maintenance a little bit easier! For one low monthly price your furnace tune-ups and future duct cleanings will be pre scheduled and you’ll enjoy front of the line, priority service, 50% off diagnostic fees and 10% off any future repairs. Talk to your technician to learn more, or call our friendly customer service team!

Preventative Measures Beyond Duct Cleaning

We love regular duct cleaning, we’ve been singing its praises all blog long. But there are some other things you can do to help keep mold at bay in between service calls.

Maintain Proper Humidity Levels

Maintaining proper humidity levels in your home is an excellent way to prevent mold from appearing.

At Action Furnace, we’re proud to carry a wide array of whole-home humidifier and air filtration options to keep your home comfortable and healthy.

Spring Cleaning Year Round

Little things such as ensuring furniture and drapery isn’t covering your vents, and a more rigorous dusting and sweeping schedule can also help keep contaminants out of your duct work and the air flowing freely.

Don’t wait for mold to take hold of your home, invest in regular duct cleaning to protect your health, improve air quality, and keep your HVAC system running smoothly year round.
Every year, 15,000 Albertan’s invite us into their home to get their ducts and furnaces cleaned. Are you next? Contact us today!

Frequently Asked Questions About Duct Cleaning

How much does duct cleaning cost?

The cost of duct cleaning can vary depending on the size of your home, the type of HVAC system you have, and the condition of your ducts. Duct cleaning starts at $199 and goes up from there, so contact the friendly Home Comfort Advisors at Action Furnace to get an accurate estimate.

Can I clean my own ducts?

We don’t recommend attempting to clean your own ducts as it requires specialized tools and knowledge. It’s safer and more effective to hire Action Furnace for professional and effective cleaning.

What should I do after my ducts have been cleaned?

After your ducts have been cleaned, it’s important to have your HVAC equipment inspected and serviced. When you schedule a furnace or AC tune-up at the same time as your duct cleaning, we’ll also replace your filters and clean key components of the system to prevent debris and contaminants from entering your ducts as you use it.

How often do I need duct cleaning?

One of the most common questions we get asked is how often air ducts need to be cleaned. While it’s not the same for every home, you should have your ducts cleaned every year. This regular cleaning will ensure your home has optimal air quality for you and your family.

In some cases, more frequent cleaning is needed. Depending on your home’s environment, more dirt, dust and moisture can accumulate.

Ryan | General Manager

Ryan is considered one of Calgary's most knowledgeable residential HVAC specialists. Working in the industry for over 12... more

The Role of Duct Cleaning in Mold Prevention