The air ducts are an important part of your HVAC systems. They allow air to flow freely across an area, so you must keep them in good working order. Regular cleaning can help you achieve this and keep your HVAC system working for more years to come.
What Is Air Duct Cleaning?
Air duct cleaning removes dirt, dust, and other contaminants from your air conditioner’s air pipes, including the main return and primary supply trunks. There are many cleaning devices available that you can use when removing dirt from your HVAC system, although specialized tools such as air whips or snakes are especially recommended.
Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning
Air ducts regulate the airflow indoors to ensure comfortable and clean living. However, these can become dirty over time and lead to unhealthy conditions for you and your family.
Cleaning your air ducts may not be fun, but it is essential to enjoy the following:
1. Clean Environment
Millions of tiny dust particles and microscopic dirt can accumulate in unclean air ducts. These can move through the air and eventually land on your furniture. This exposes you to harmful bacteria, which can lead to serious illness. Regularly cleaning your air ducts is essential to maintain a healthy and clean environment.
2. A Healthier Life
Dust and dirt can block the air ducts, making it difficult for you to breathe. These can lead to adverse reactions like coughing or sneezing. They can also cause severe allergic reactions. In this case, it is best to address the root cause of the problem, which is your air ducts. Clean them so you can breathe cool air while avoiding long-term health complications.
3. No Foul Odor
Dark and dirty air ducts can become breeding places for mold and mildew. These fungi can multiply and produce a musty, strong smell that is not pleasant to the nose. The odor they cause will persist no matter how many windows you open or the air fresheners you use.
Contact a professional who can work on removing any fungi found in your air ducts. You can proceed with cleaning these important HVAC components afterward.
4. Better Airflow
A buildup of debris in the air ducts can restrict the airflow in your home, preventing precious air from reaching all the rooms in your house. You must resolve this problem immediately so that you can enjoy a continuous flow of cool and fresh air.
5. More Efficient AC
Air conditioners are expected to produce cool and clean air under normal conditions. The ducts will then distribute this throughout your home. Simply put, your AC will work more efficiently if the air ducts are clean, significantly decreasing electricity usage and saving you money.
However, if you do not clean the air ducts, the opposite will happen, confirms an expert HVAC service in San Jose, CA. Blocked air ducts will prevent air from moving and make your air conditioner work harder to supply you with cool air. This will consequently cause your electricity bill charges to go up. Spend time cleaning your air ducts to prevent this from happening.
How Many Times Should You Clean the Air Ducts?
Experts recommend that you clean your air ducts every two years. However, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, you may need to do this earlier when the following conditions are already present:
1. Mold Growth
Molds can be found in poorly-maintained HVAC equipment and ductwork system. Serious health problems could result if the problem is not dealt with immediately.
2. Rodent Infestation
Cleaning is recommended if rats or other pests have caused damage to your HVAC system. This could lead to loose connections or partially torn sections of the duct field. Cleaning will give you the opportunity to determine the extent of the damage and see whether you can still get the air duct repaired.
3. Blocked HVAC Airflow
This is usually caused by a buildup of dust, dirt, and other debris within the ductwork. This section of your HVAC system should be cleaned to improve the distribution of clean and cool indoor air.
Key Takeaway
How your HVAC system performs depends significantly on the health of your air ducts. Serious problems can develop if these are not appropriately maintained. Clogged ducts can prevent air from properly circulating cool air in your home. You won’t feel comfortable even with your air conditioner on full blast.
Regular duct cleaning can help your air conditioner to function at a more efficient level. Water and rags should be sufficient when cleaning the ducts, but you may also want to shop around since there are a variety of other cleaning products that are available and more effective. Alternatively, you can consider hiring a professional cleaning technician who can give you the best results.
