If you value your health, you should do more than just change the filters on your HVAC system. You should also periodically clean the air ducts. If you can't do it yourself, or simply don't want to do it yourself, you can hire an HVAC professional to take care of this job for you. Maintenance is an important part of keeping the system working and cleaning the ducts is essential maintenance. Here are five ways your air ducts can be making you sick if you don't clean them: 1. They can collect dust Dust is mostly dead skin, plus detritus from other items, like books and upholstered furniture. The dust that collects in air ducts can aggravate allergies and respiratory problems. It can be spread throughout the home from the blowing of the HVAC system. It can also be the basis for the development of other problems. 2. They can grow mold When dust starts to clog air filters, it can promote moisture remaining in the system. It can also give mold spores a foundation to start taking root. Mold can be a serious health threat. It can even be deadly. It is especially problematic for babies, small children, the elderly and anyone with a compromised immune system. 3. They can spread germs As air flows through the ducts and gets circulated through the home, it can spread dust and other matter found inside unclean ducts. A combination of germs plus poor ventilation can cause sick building syndrome.

In order to truly get your home ready to be sold, the team at Romano Brothers put together this HVAC checklist. We know that selling your home can be stressful, and our team will work with you to Your HVAC Unit Is Old If your HVAC system is more than 10 years old, you should think of replacing it before you put your home on the market. While this is a major expense it can still be worth doing and can lead to your home being sold faster. You won't recoup all the money you spent by replacing the system but if it helps your home sell it can be worth the expense. Another thing to consider about the cost of replacing your heating or air conditioning unit is that you might be able to take advantage of federal tax breaks and utility credits which bring down the cost. If you have an HVAC professional replace the units well before you move you even get to enjoy the benefits of the new units yourself before moving. Savvy Homebuyers People looking at buying homes are much smarter with their money than years gone past. They look not just at what the mortgage will cost but the other expenses of owning a home. Heating and cooling a home count for a big percentage of a home's energy costs. New air conditioning and heating units are far more efficient than older ones so buyers know that their energy bills will be pretty reasonable compared to buying a house with older units. People Want Smart Appliances Many people nowadays, especially millennials, want their homes to be smarter. With the latest advancements in technology, heating and air conditioning units can also be smarter and easier to use. When you install a new system, consider upgrading to a smart thermostat, which you can control from anywhere using an app on your phone, tablet, or computer. This makes a home stand out from others on the market.