Does My Home Really Need a Duct Cleaning?

March 21st, 2025

Will a duct cleaning really make an impact on my home’s air quality? The answer is yes! In this article, we’ll learn the importance of indoor air quality and how a whole-home duct cleaning can make your home a healthier environment.

The Importance of Indoor Air Quality

True or false: the average American spends 90% of their time indoors.

If you answered true, you’re correct!

Since we spend most of our days inside, it’s important that we make sure the air we breathe is clean.

The Environmental Protection Agency reports that air pollution levels inside are 2-5x higher than pollution levels outside. Pollen, pet dander, mold, and mildew accumulate in our homes over time and contribute to poor air quality. These pollutants can trigger negative health effects such as:

  • Asthma
  • Allergies
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Respiratory illnesses

A major culprit in housing allergens is your ductwork, which is the network of pipes that move conditioned air from your HVAC system to your home. Here are some of the ways that debris can enter ductwork:

  • Poor quality or dirty filters
  • New construction and renovation projects that stir up dust
  • Smoking inside the home

Over time, these pollutants can build up to cause poor air quality in your home. Thankfully, we offer a solution: a whole-home duct cleaning.

What Happens During an Air Duct Cleaning?

First, our Comfort Advisor will conduct a ductwork inspection by using a camera to determine the condition of the ducts.

Next, our technicians use a specialized piece of equipment called a BrushBeast to scrub and vacuum your ductwork at the same time. This brush is tough enough to loosen and remove dirt build-up, but gentle enough to ensure your ductwork remains fully intact.

In addition to cleaning the ductwork, we’ll also clean and disinfect your registers and the blower wheel inside your air handler. A blower wheel cleaning is especially important to allow the system to operate efficiently.

Finally, once everything has been cleaned and disinfected, we will return and seal the registers. We always clean up after ourselves so you can rest assured that your home will be in the same condition as when we arrived.  

How Do I Know if I Need a Duct Cleaning?

You might need a duct cleaning if you notice:

  • Your home is abnormally dusty, especially around vents
  • Strange or unpleasant odors coming from your vents
  • Allergy symptoms or respiratory issues
  • Increased energy costs

If you suspect you need to clean your ductwork, our team is ready to help! Call us today to get a FREE duct cleaning quote:

(843) 663-3504

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Tips to Prepare Your Cooling System for Spring

March 13th, 2025
infographic of a spring HVAC maintenance checklist

Tips to Prepare Your Cooling System for Spring

Spring is in the air! Is your air conditioning unit ready to handle the warm North Myrtle Beach weather?

Your air conditioner works hard to cool your home during the warm months; the last thing you want is for it to break down in the middle of summer! We recommend performing regular maintenance on your HVAC system to ensure your A/C unit runs smoothly all spring- and summer-long.

Regular preventative maintenance helps catch the small issues before they become big problems, which prevents the risk of breakdowns. Maintaining your HVAC system also saves you money in the long run by improving energy efficiency and extending the life of your system.

Early spring is the perfect time to perform maintenance on your cooling system so you can have peace of mind when the weather really heats up! In this article, we’ve prepared a list of tasks you can do right now to maintain your A/C unit.

HVAC Maintenance for Homeowners

1. Check and replace your air filters.

Air filters are responsible for catching dust and debris in the air, so they aren’t spread throughout the home. Clean filters also allow your system to run more efficiently. We recommend checking your filters every thirty days and replacing them if they are dirty.

2. Clear debris from the outdoor unit.

When you are doing yard maintenance, make sure you also remove any leaves, twigs, pine needles, and grass clippings on and around your A/C unit. Debris build-up can block proper air flow, affecting operation and efficiency.

3. Check for standing water in the drain pan.

The condensate drain pan below the air handler in your attic collects moisture left from the cooling process. Over time, algae can clog the condensate drain which can cause water to overflow and damage your home. If you notice standing water in the pan, call Martin Heat & Air to thoroughly clean your condensate drain!

4. Seal air leaks around windows and doors.

Sealing air leaks around your windows and doors prevents cool air from escaping your home and allows your system to run more efficiently. It can also prevent allergens like pollen, dust, dander, and mold spores from entering the home, which improves your air quality.

5. Schedule a full-system tune-up with Martin Heat & Air!

We can help you prepare even more by performing a comprehensive check to make sure your system is operating properly. At each HVAC tune-up, our technicians will:

  • Analyze operating pressures
  • Monitor starting capabilities
  • Test safety controls
  • Clean or replace filters
  • Tighten electrical connections
  • Measure volts/amps on motors
  • Adjust thermostat calibration
  • Clean evaporator and/or condenser coil (if easily accessible)
  • Clean condensate drains
  • Measure temperature differential

Call Us for All Your Cooling Needs!

Whether you’re scheduling an A/C tune-up, or calling for an emergency repair, Martin Heat & Air is here for you! Call us today to schedule service:

(843) 663-3504

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Are Ductless Mini Spilts Good for South Carolina’s Climate?

May 27th, 2024

If you live in South Carolina, you know our climate can be a bit of a challenge, especially when it comes to keeping your home comfortable. That’s where we come in with our services for ductless mini splits in North Myrtle Beach, SC. Not only are they effective, but they also offer energy-efficient cooling and heating options without the need for extensive ductwork. Let’s dive into why ductless systems might just be the perfect fit for your home in the Palmetto State.

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Should I Replace My Furnace With a Heat Pump?

May 13th, 2024
Tech Cleaning Ductwork

When heating your home, you have options beyond traditional furnaces. Heat pumps offer a more energy-efficient and versatile alternative, but deciding whether to replace your furnace with a heat pump requires careful consideration of its benefits, drawbacks, and how it works. Follow this guide to learn if it’s time to find furnace services in Myrtle Beach, SC, or if it’s time to consider a heat pump.  

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Is HVAC Tune-Up Service Important?

April 15th, 2024
Watch for Early Signs That Your AC System Is Malfunctioning

Maintaining a comfortable indoor environment is essential for any home or business. Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system plays a crucial role in achieving this comfort. However, many homeowners and business owners overlook the importance of regular HVAC maintenance in North Myrtle Beach, SC.

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It Is Time to Replace Your AC

April 1st, 2024
senior-couple-sits-on-sofa-changes-temp-of-mini-split-with-remote

The summer heat is about to return to Myrtle Beach, are you ready? More importantly, is your AC system up to the task?

With experienced technicians, financing options, and attention to detail, Martin Heat and Air makes the process of a new AC installation in Myrtle Beach, SC as easy as possible.

From condo associations, homeowner associations, and real estate companies, we’ve serviced the Myrtle Beach area communities for years. Ricky and Sheila Martin, owners of Martin Heat and Air, are your neighbors and we’re proud to work with you.

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Watch for Early Signs That Your AC System Is Malfunctioning

March 18th, 2024
Watch for Early Signs That Your AC System Is Malfunctioning

Common signs your Air Conditioning system is malfunctioning are inadequate cooling, weak airflow from the vents, strange noises, foul odors, frequent on/off cycling, and water leakage. As the weather warms, if you experience any of the warning signs listed, your AC needs repair in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Are you sure your AC system is ready for another Myrtle Beach Summer? Maintenance for your air conditioning system should be at the top of your to-do list. Remember, average temperatures in each of our summer months are:

  • June high 85° / low 69°
  • July high 88° / low 73°
  • August high 87° / low 71°
  • September high 84° / low 66°

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Spring Is Coming: It’s Time to Schedule HVAC Maintenance

March 5th, 2024
tulips-in-spring

It is imperative that you have the most reliable, functional, and efficient HVAC in Myrtle Beach, SC in your home or business from June to September. Average temperatures in each of our summer months are:

  • June high 85° / low 69°
  • July high 88° / low 73°
  • August high 87° / low 71°
  • September high 84° / low 66°

Each spring, scheduling air conditioning maintenance should be at the top of your to-do list—it’s the best way to ensure you’re AC is ready to handle the heat.

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The Short Cycling Heat Pump—Why You Need It Fixed

February 19th, 2024
heat-pump-units

The heat pump is your household’s best friend when it comes to year-round comfort. But you might notice your heat pump doing something strange. It’s turning on and off much faster than usual, sometimes five to eight times per hour. This is called short cycling, and it’s not something you want to keep happening.

What Is Short-Cycling?

Short cycling in a heat pump refers to a situation where the system turns on and off more frequently than necessary to maintain the desired temperature in a home. Instead of completing a full heating or cooling cycle, the heat pump starts and stops rapidly, leading to inefficient operation and heavier wear and tear on the system.

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Why We Recommend Regular Duct Cleaning

February 5th, 2024
duct-cleaning-with-vacuum

How often have you thought about scheduling duct cleaning in Conway, SC for your home? Probably not often. Ductwork is a part of the HVAC system of a home that tends to slip people’s minds.

But those ducts can get extremely dirty, and dirty ducts are bad news for several reasons. Today, we’ll look at why routine duct cleaning is a great benefit to your home.

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