Air ducts are important in every home with central heating and cooling systems. The ducts are responsible for circulating the conditioned air from these systems to all the rooms inside the home.
Therefore, it’s no surprise that duct cleaning is such a hot topic among homeowners.
Is air duct cleaning a waste of money? You’ll find out in this article.
What Is Air Duct Cleaning?
Air duct cleaning refers to vacuuming and scrubbing parts of the heating and cooling systems responsible for delivering conditioned air around the home. The return and supply air ducts get most of the attention during the cleaning. However, air duct maintenance and cleaning companies will also clean parts.
Why Should You Clean Your Ducts?
Your air duct accumulates mold, dust particles, pollen, and other debris as it functions from week to week. The average family will generate up to 40 pounds of dust per year besides the other contaminants that enter the home.
As dirt accumulates on the air duct surface over time, the number of pollutants spreading across the home will continue to increase. As a result, the air quality worsens. The situation is worse if rodents and insects live in your air ducts.
Overall, cleaning your air ducts occasionally is the only way to keep your family from inhaling dander, pollen, dust, mold particles, and other contaminants.
What to Expect from an Air Duct Cleaning Service Provider
Hiring a professional for your air duct maintenance and cleaning project is the surest way to get excellent results. The service provider will:
- Come with all the necessary equipment
- Open all access ports and doors to inspect the air duct system
- Check for and flag asbestos material within and around the air duct
- Protect the floor and furniture around the cleaning area
- Clean the space using a soft-bristled brush and a high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) vacuuming system
- Work gently to protect your ductwork, sealing and re-insulating access points to ensure they are airtight
When people ask, “Is air duct cleaning a waste of money?”, they are often considering the cost. However, the cost of ignoring the dirty ducts or attempting a poor DIY job is higher over time.
How to Clean Your Air Ducts
The process of cleaning your air duct includes the following steps:
- Remove the screws from the air duct covers and the grilles.
- Seal the supply vents responsible for delivering air to the rooms in your home.
- Turn on the “fan” setting to move the dust dislodged during the cleaning process. You can run the heating system if your thermostat doesn’t have a “fan” mode.
- Reach into the ductwork with a brush to break up dust and debris.
- Use a vacuum or HEPA filter to suck up the dust and debris from the duct. Combining the fan, brush, and vacuum will increase the chances of removing all the dirt and debris. Professional cleaners will have the air duct cleaning tools and experience to reach deep inside the duct and register cavities.
- Clean the supply registers by using a vacuum to catch dust coming through them.
- Turn off the fan and the HVAC system.
- Clean the return air boot and the blower compartment.
- Replace the HVAC filter. Reusing the clogged filter with contaminants will reintroduce pollutants into your home.
Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning
Here are the top benefits of regular air duct cleaning:
It Improves Your Indoor Air Quality
Air ducts work all year round, accumulating all kinds of pollutants. In large quantities, the pollutants can cause numerous respiratory illnesses such as bronchial congestion, sneezing, coughs, asthma, and more. Cleaning the air duct reduces the risk of you or your family members coming down with these conditions.
Altogether, air duct maintenance and upkeep will keep the air in your home fresh and clean.
It Will Boosts Your System’s Efficiency
Prolonged accumulation of dirt and debris in the ductwork impedes airflow. Therefore, the system will work harder to deliver the right temperatures throughout the home. The result is higher energy bills.
Cleaning the air ducts occasionally is a sure way to keep the system functioning at peak efficiency.
It Will Help You Avoid Accidents
The accumulation of dirt, lint, and other such materials in the ductwork is dangerous in homes where propane fuels the furnace, stove, and fireplace. Cleaning the ducts regularly reduces the risk of fires and property damage.
It Can Prolong Your HVAC System’s Lifespan
When your HVAC system works too hard for extended periods due to dirty air ducts, its parts will wear out faster. As a result, you’ll experience more system breakdowns. Persistent breakdowns and repairs will bring forward the date for replacing your system.
Cleaning the ducts regularly will reduce the strain on the system. The parts will last longer, and you will save money on repairs.
Helpful Reading: Duct Insulation Installation Services
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Air Duct Cleaning
How to Prevent Air Duct Contamination
To prevent air duct contamination, you need to use efficient filters and watch for cracks in the ductwork. You should also take steps to prevent water leaks into the system.
How Often Should You Clean Out Your Air Ducts?
The cleaning frequency will vary from one home to another. Large families living in dustier environments may need to clean their air ducts at least once a year. In contrast, single families in non-dusty areas can clean the ducts every two years—barring any major issues.
How Much Is Air Duct Cleaning?
Air duct cleaning costs will vary from one property to another. The facts that determine a project’s costs include the size of your home and the complexity of the ductwork.
Conclusion
Now you know the answer to “Is air duct cleaning a waste of money?” However, do you know a trusted company to call for your home duct cleaning project?
End your search for “air duct maintenance and cleaning near me” today. Call the Attic Projects San Diego, CA, office at (858) 290-7423 or the Orange County/Los Angeles office at (714) 464-7918 to request a free estimate today.
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