Homeowners tend to keep up with maintaining their heating and cooling systems. They know when to have service done for year-round comfort, and they also know what signs of trouble to look for. There is one area that most people don’t think of when it comes to the HVAC setup in their home, and that is the air ducts. It can be easy to overlook and think they are clean enough but over time, they can lead to major issues if unchecked. Here’s what to know about air duct cleaning.
How Are Ducts Cleaned?
When scheduling an appointment for duct cleaning, you want to know what work will be done. This is true especially if it’s the first time you’ve requested it. Fortunately, the entire cleaning process is relatively simple. To start, a contractor investigates the ductwork to see the extent of the dust buildup. They will also look for any other issues that could cause problems, such as cracks or leaks. Next, they bring in a vacuum to remove excess particles from the ducts. When needed, a manual or automatic brush is used in the ducts. This removes dust and debris from the inside of your pipes. The vacuum collects and removes these as well. The contractor seals up any access points and cleans up the work area once completed.
Benefits of Duct Cleaning
Now that you know how the process of duct cleaning works, you should understand the benefits of having it done in your home. One of the primary reasons is the financial benefits for your HVAC system. A system that isn’t cleaned causes it to work harder. This increases the amount of energy used for heating or cooling. This leads to higher monthly costs for you to run your unit. Cleaning the ducts can also keep your HVAC system running at optimum efficiency longer. Having clean ducts means there is less wear and tear that your unit can have. This extends its lifespan and prevents you from having to replace your unit sooner than needed.
Duct cleaning provides health benefits as well. The duct cleaning process can help those with allergies improve the quality of air in their home. Numerous particles are in your ducts. These include dust, pollen, mold, and pet hair. All of these can amplify issues for those with allergies or asthma. Cleaning your ducts helps reduce these impacts and improves the overall air quality in your home. It can also help remove lingering smells caused by what builds up in your ducts.
How Often Should I Schedule?
Cleaning your air ducts can be beneficial for your home. However, it’s not necessarily something that needs to be done on an annual basis. Typically, a homeowner should schedule a duct cleaning every 2-5 years. If you maintain your system, including exchanging air filters, this window can be expanded. For those purchasing a new home, it may be worth scheduling a cleaning, especially if it has been 3 or more years since it was last done. In terms of timing, you want to schedule when you aren’t using your HVAC system as heavily. The spring or the early fall are excellent times to make an appointment.
Dryer Vent Cleaning
In addition to cleaning your air ducts, some HVAC companies also offer cleaning out your home’s dryer vent. This vent leads outdoors and blows out hot air from your dryer while in operation. As lint, dirt, and debris accumulate in the vent, it can clog ductwork and potentially lead to a fire if not properly cleaned. The good news is that cleaning a dryer vent is an easier process. From a homeowner’s standpoint, a home vacuum helps remove some of the lint from the vent. Call a professional to look at heavily clogged units. Clean the dryer vent on average once or twice a year.
Getting the ducts cleaned in your home is something that should be added to the maintenance schedule. It can be beneficial in improving the quality of air in your home and can prevent high costs of HVAC replacement if left unchecked. Having a qualified contractor perform the cleaning makes it an easy process, and they help inspect and prevent any other potential HVAC issues.
Need more information on duct cleaning services?
Contact the professionals at Peppers Heating and Air today!
