This past summer was especially hot and muggy.
While the season is typically quite mild, we experienced temperatures in the upper eighties and low nineties for several months straight.
The humidity levels were brutal. My air conditioner had a hard time keeping up with demand. While the whole house felt slightly overheated, there were specific rooms that were extra uncomfortable. I noticed a musty smell coming from the vents and an abundance of dust and other particles. There were issues with condensate running down the windows and concerns with mold and mildew growth. Although I lowered the thermostat several times, it made little difference. The air conditioner was running nearly all the time yet not providing sufficient cool air. My monthly electric bills were super high. When I realized that my family was complaining of headaches, congestion, insomnia and sore throat because of the cooling system, I hired a professional HVAC contractor for repairs. A thorough inspection and diagnostic testing of the entire system identified the ductwork as the source of the problems. There was a significant buildup of contaminants inside the pipes. During the cleaning process, the technician found dust, dander, lint, construction debris, bugs, webs, decomposing rodents and mold growth. Every time the air conditioner started up, it was spreading harmful toxins into our breathing air. Plus, the accumulation was restricting airflow and adding to the workload of the cooling unit. Fortunately, the duct cleaning service was handled without damage to the home and restored proper performance of the air conditioner. I now plan to have the ductwork tested every couple of years.