If you’re like most homeowners, you likely ignore your heating and cooling systems until you encounter a breakdown. It’s easy to ignore this critical home component since the entire system is designed to be inconspicuous.
Tucked behind walls, under floors, and above ceilings, your air duct system is an invisible railway transporting out pre-conditioned air and delivering back conditioned air into your living spaces. Air ducts, just like the condenser and evaporator coils of your air conditioning system, need to be cleaned and maintained.
In this article, I’ll explain the benefits of air duct cleaning, how often your ducts need cleaning, and what to expect during the process.
Keep your all of your home’s systems functional with regular maintenance by the best home warranty companies such as Choice Home Warranty. Learn about the benefits that even the cheapest home warranties can offer.
Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning
Cleaning and maintaining your HVAC system has several benefits:
- More effective heating and air conditioning, keeping you comfortable in your home.
- Greater energy efficiency, which saves you money.
- Longer lifespan of your air conditioning unit with few repairs needed.
- Improves indoor air quality by removing pollutants and allergens for those suffering health problems like asthma, or compromised immune systems.
DIY or Hire?
You may be able to handle some aspects of cleaning and maintaining your heating and cooling system, like hosing out the condenser coils, vacuuming the inside of the air handler, and changing air filters. Professional air duct cleaners should handle the task of cleaning dirty air ducts.
DIY
- Clean easy-to-reach parts of your HVAC system, like your condenser coils and air filters
HIRE
- Air ducts are hard to reach without the proper tools. Homeowners should hire a duct cleaning company to clean them.
- Air duct cleaning services have specialized tools and training in cleaning dirty air duct systems.
When To Clean Air Ducts
If the rest of your HVAC system is well-maintained, air duct cleaning will only need to occur every few years. But if you notice the following conditions, you should call a professional duct cleaning company for a thorough cleaning of your air ducts and your entire system.
- Substantial mold and mildew appears to be growing inside the ducts or other components of your HVAC system. Be aware that not everything that looks like mold is actually mold. A professional should make a final determination.
- Ducts show evidence of vermin or insect infestation, which may include droppings, bodily remains, and nests.
- A nasty odor from your ductwork could indicate the presence of mold, mildew, or animal infestation.
- Ducts are clogged with an excessive amount of dust, grime, pet dander, and debris.
- Vents are covered in a large amount of dust.
- Dust buildup coats your vent covers, return registers, or supply registers and is being released into the living spaces of your home.
- The air duct system has sustained water damage.
If you notice condensation on your air ducts, it is likely humidity-related and could mean that you need new insulation.
TOP Mold on the outside of an air vent
BOTTOM Debris in a home air duct
What To Expect During the Air Duct Cleaning Process
Air duct cleaning is only part of maintaining an HVAC system. Air ducts serve as the network between all parts of the air system. Have all other components inspected and cleaned as well to prevent contaminants from re-infecting the air duct system.
An air duct cleaning process should include an inspection of the air ducts to check for amount of dust, airflow water damage, leaks, or debris.
Once the duct cleaning company completes the duct cleaning process, the following HVAC system components that affect efficiency and effectiveness will need to be cleaned.
- Heat exchanger
- Condenser and evaporator coils
- Drain pan
- Fan motor and housing
- System housing
Even though it can take two to five hours, the cost of air duct cleaning and the time spent is well worth it. In some cases of extreme dirt buildup, air duct cleaning can increase efficiency by as much as 40%.
How To Keep Your Air Ducts Clean
Preventing dirt and dust from getting into your heating and cooling system in the first place is the best way to keep your air ducts clean. Air filters clean the air being pulled in by the air returns and are the first line of defense against dirt and dust.
Cleaning replaceable filters or changing disposable ones at least every three months will help keep dust, particulates, and pet dander out of your HVAC system. Change your air filters regularly to avoid replacing your air ducts in the future.
Other steps you can take to keep your air ducts clean:
- Check filters monthly and change as needed.
- Vacuum your home regularly and wipe down furniture to remove dust from the environment.
- Schedule semi-annual professional inspections and maintenance on your heating and cooling system at the beginnings of the high usage seasons.
- Have ductwork inspected once a year.
According to the United States Department of Energy, Americans could be wasting 10%–20% of their energy costs on inefficient heating and cooling systems.
I recommend you keep your air ducts and the rest of your system clean and well-maintained. This increases your energy efficiency and lowers your heating and cooling bills. This practice also enhances your air quality and improves your health.
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