Notably, air ducts are one of your home’s hardworking pipes, circulating air so that you may stay warm and comfortable all year round. However, they’re often neglected and unappreciated in any home.
Most of the time, air ducts don’t cause any trouble, so it’s easy to forget them. But when they do, it can negatively impact the efficiency of your HVAC system and your home’s overall air quality.
As such, regular air duct cleaning is a must. That said, this article shares everything you need to know about duct cleaning and maintenance.
Duct Cleaning: What Is It?
From its name, duct cleaning refers to cleaning and maintaining various components of ducted systems. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system features ducts to distribute air throughout your home.
Over time, these ducts can get quite dirty due to dust and debris, mold growth, or even vermin infestation. As such, duct cleaning and maintenance can help clear dirt buildup from all the components connected to the air passageway and repair any worn-down or damaged parts.
DIY VS. Professional Air Duct Cleaning And Maintenance
Air ducts run behind walls, making do-it-yourself (DIY) cleaning problematic. Plus, your HVAC system features a variety of sensitive components that should only be handled by a professional. As such, you want to leave deep duct cleaning to a professional HVAC Contractor.
They have the appropriate tools and experience to properly clean your air ducts without causing damage to other parts. In addition, hiring an HVAC professional can pinpoint any potential issues and resolve them immediately to prevent more severe damage in the long run.
A ventilation cleaner man at work with toolIn general, you can still do routine DIY duct cleaning and maintenance to clean some of the ductwork, usually at the end portions only. You can use a vacuum to clean up to 2-4 feet of the supply and return ducts.
4 Steps In The Air Duct Cleaning And Maintenance Process
Duct Inspection
First off, a technician will inspect the ducts using a camera. During this stage, they should also check for any damage or make any necessary repairs.
Creating Negative Pressure
Using a large vacuum system, a technician will create negative pressure in the vents and then start cleaning each duct one at a time.
Dust Agitation
To further clean the ducts, a technician will use vacuum tools such as a rotating brush to agitate and move settled dirt and dust. This makes it easier for the dust to be sucked into the vacuum.
Cleaning HVAC Parts
Once the vents and ducts are cleaned, the rest of the system, including the air blower motor, furnace, drain pan, and evaporator coil, will be inspected and cleaned.
When To Clean Air Ducts?
Air ducts are low maintenance and don’t need to be cleaned regularly. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests you only clean your air ducts as needed. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) also recommends having your HVAC ducts professionally cleaned and maintained on an as-needed basis. But they recommend having it inspected once a year to assess its condition.
That said, there are a few conditions and signs that will tell you to call a professional to clean and maintain your ducts:
- Musty smell or visible mold
- Excess debris and dust
- Pest infestation
- Allergic symptoms
In addition, even though air ducts don’t need to be cleaned regularly, there are situations when you’ll need them more frequently. These includes the following:
- There’s a smoker in the family
- You have pets that shed a lot
- Recent renovation, particularly drywall work
- Water contamination in your ducts
Benefits Of Air Duct Cleaning And Maintenance
Ducts may not need frequent maintenance, but ensuring that it stays clean and functional comes with numerous benefits, such as:
It Improves System Efficiency
As mentioned before, ducts circulate air from your HVAC system to each room in your home. A dirty air duct can reduce the efficiency of an HVAC system. Any dust or dirt buildup in your ducts can prevent air from traveling freely. This pushes your HVAC to work twice as hard to keep your home in comfortable temperatures.
It Improves Air Quality
Nearly all the air you breathe in your home passes through the air ducts. So, if these ducts get excessively dirty, contaminants can fill your home whenever you turn the HVAC system on. This can cause adverse health issues, especially for those with existing respiratory problems. Cleaning the air ducts can help reduce contaminants circulation around your home, ensuring better air quality and helping everyone breathe easier.
It Reduces Odor
Paint fumes, pets, tobaccos use, food preparation, and mold all contribute to stale smells in your air ducts. When you turn on your HVAC system, these odors will flow through your house. Moreover, the accumulation of dirt and dust over the years can result in musty smells from the ductwork. Cleaning your air ducts can remove all odor-trapping particles for a fresher and good-smelling home.
Takeaway
As you can see, your HVAC’s air ducts play a critical role in ensuring that your home stays comfortable and livable throughout the year. A dirty air duct is a recipe for poor air circulation within your home, so it’s essential that you keep it clean and maintained for a safer home.
