Though it's not glamorous, one of the best things you can do for your family's health and the health of your air conditioning system is to have regular duct cleanings. You can do this yourself by simply opening up one of the vents and poking a flashlight around inside with a broom, but it's not nearly as efficient as having a professional clean it for you. Fortunately, air conditioner vent cleaning is a task that an HVAC technician can provide. It typically only takes a few hours and requires minimal involvement by the homeowner. Afterward, you'll be breathing easier in your home's energy efficiency will go up dramatically.

Still not convinced? Here are just a few of the things that could be found inside your air vents.

Mold

One of the worst things you can find inside your air vents is mold. It's not nearly as common as people think, but it can happen and can go undetected for years, causing health problems along the way. Though you might be able to detect it yourself, people can often smell it beforehand, causing them to contact an HVAC technician to have it checked out. If you notice it happening already, you can always have it remediated, but regular air conditioner vent cleaning will usually keep it at bay.

Rodents

What you're more likely to find inside your air vents is not mold, but another living organism: rodents. Whether it's squirrels, rats, mice, or some other crawling thing, these little varmints can scratch through your roof, get into your attic, and make their way into your air ducts where they could fall out of your air vent and into your home. You usually hear them before that happens, but it can be quite a shock if you do a visual inspection in your air ducts and notice one running toward you. Air conditioner vent cleaning helps minimize this problem by eliminating any nests that they may have built over the months and years.

Dust

Without a doubt, the number one thing that you're most likely to find inside your air vents is a lot of dust, especially if it's never been cleaned. You shouldn't count on the airflow through your vents to knock the dirt and debris away; if enough of it collects, it can suction to the sides of the air ducts like superglue. While it will never be enough to cause a full clog, you will definitely notice the air quality going down and your energy efficiency dipping as well. Removing this is one of the main reasons to have air conditioner vent cleaning, so make sure you talk to your HVAC technician if the indoor air quality starts to suffer. Contact an air condition vent cleaning service for more information.