The season is changing quickly and within no time, we would be experiencing winter. Maintaining a home is a huge responsibility. Part of that responsibility involves keeping the home clean and tidy, which can sometimes feel like a daunting task. Given the extra household chores sometimes fall by the wayside, like dusting floorboards and ceiling fans, cleaning blinds, etc. It’s no wonder that the “cleanliness” of the air duct is often considered as an afterthought.

What Do You Mean By Duct Cleaning?

Sometimes, it happens that people are not aware that indoor air pollution is an issue of growing concern and increased visibility. The quality of indoor air is dependent on many factors and one of the factors is - dirty Air Duct!

Duct cleaning basically refers to the cleaning of various essential components of your HVAC systems. This includes

1. registers, 2. grilles and diffusers, 3. heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, 4. condensate drain pans (drip pans), 5. fan motor and fan housing, and 6. the air handling unit housing

What Would Happen if The Ducts Are Not Cleaned Regularly?

If the main components of the HVAC system are not maintained and operated properly, they become contaminated with various dust particles, pollens, and other debris. When the system is not cleaned regularly, they trap moisture and promote the growth of mold and other microorganisms. These organisms have the potential to deteriorate the quality of indoor air. Duct Cleaning is absolutely necessary to prevent the growth of such microorganisms and keeping your HVAC system free from all the debris.

Duct Cleaning Is Essential To Maintain The Indoor Air Quality:

If you do not clean your system’s duct regularly, it can pollute the indoor air and lead to various allergies such as asthma, fatigue, headache, nausea, rashes, or eye irritation. So whenever you are getting your air filters cleaned, make sure that you clean the duct as well. It will help you stay protected from any sort of allergies or health issues.

Duct Cleaning Improves The HVAC System’s Efficiency

When ductwork and registers have a heavy buildup of dust and other debris, they may fail to operate as efficiently as possible. Due to the debris, the air supply is partially cut off which means your system has to work harder to accomplish the same outcome. Whereas a cleaner system is designed to operate as efficiently as possible, giving you a system that operates at peak efficiency and provides cost-effective performance year-round.

Cleaning Your Duct Can Help You Save Energy

Duct cleaning can help you save power and lower your utility bills. Obstructions such as dust, dirt, cobwebs, and pest droppings reduce your HVAC system’s airflow. This leads to a reduction in the efficiency of the system (as we know from the previous point). When efficiency is reduced remarkably, the system needs to work harder and would require more energy. The spike in energy use would increase your utility bills. Since a system with clean ducts won’t have to work as hard, it will last longer. Duct cleaning pays for itself over time through energy savings, and it can help prevent inconvenient and expensive breakdowns.

When Is The Right Time To Get Your HVAC System’s Duct Cleaned?

Here are some indications that will help you to know when it is essential to clean the duct.

• There is substantial visible mold growth inside the ducts or on other components of your HVAC system.
• The ducts are infested with vermin, rodents, or insects.
• There is an excessive amount of dust and debris in the ducts.

If you believe you are experiencing any of these issues, perform a quick investigation. You can start by inspecting your duct register or grille — is it discolored or covered in dust? Next, remove the cover and use a rag to wipe at the sides of the inside. Did it come out filthy? If you answered yes, go ahead and consult a trusted HVAC company. Along with improving the indoor air quality, cleaning the clogged ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.

Summary:

If you decide to have your HVAC system cleaned, then it is essential to ensure that the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so. Failing to clean any one component of a contaminated system can result in the re-contamination of the entire system, thus negating any potential benefits. The techniques and methods of duct cleaning may vary depending on the service provider, but the standards have been established by industry associations concerned with air duct cleaning. Basically, an HVAC service provider will use specialized tools to dislodge dirt and other debris in ducts, then vacuum them out with a high-powered vacuum cleaner.