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Duct Cleaning Tips
The last thing you want for your home comfort system is a set of clogged ducts blocking the flow of air or pouring contaminants into your home. And while ducts are simple enough pieces of equipment, improper care has a direct impact on how efficient your home heating and cooling system is. That’s why regular maintenance and cleaning are so important and why these tips will help you every step of the way.
Home Comfort System Maintenance
The heating or cooling system on the other end of your ducts is a very important factor in how well your ducts work. If the filters are not properly changed on the regular maintenance schedule, the ductwork quickly backs up and your system will be filled with unnecessary contaminants. Every heat pump and air cleaning system has factory recommended settings for filter changes, so follow them carefully. But, if you notice excess build up occurring between filter changes, you may need to increase the frequency of your service.
Clean Your Cooling Coils and Drain Pans
Also related to the cooling or heating end of your system are the drain pans and cooling coils. These can become dirty and excess debris, dust and allergens can build up. If that happens, they need to be cleaned. Luckily, this build up does not occur very quickly. In fact, if you are careful about your annual maintenance schedule, they will remain clean throughout the year most of the time. However, if they grow dirty faster than the regular one–year schedule, you should either clean them yourself or have your maintenance scheduled more frequently.
Humidity Control
Humidity has a major impact on how effectively your ducts operate. The problem, of course, is that your ductwork is built into walls and ceilings where you have limited access. So, it is important to have your ducts insulated during installation or later during a service call. Duct insulation may or may not be a simple process depending on where the ducts are located and how much insulation was used in the initial installation of your ductwork.
Why is insulation so important? Without it, the system quickly starts to grow mold and other contaminants that are highly dangerous to your family. Moisture, debris, and plenty of moving air are all fantastic for growing and spreading mold, which isn’t good for anyone in the house.
Watch Your Energy Bills
Occasionally, your ductwork may spring a leak or simply stop working the way it used to. When this happens, it might cause your energy bills to spike due to the loss of efficiency in the system. When this happens, it is important to have your system serviced right away, regardless of where you are in your maintenance schedule.
The use of energy in your heating and air conditioning system is expensive enough without adding to it through leaky ducts that force you to pay for temperature controlled air you’re not even benefiting from. In fact, leaking ducts are a major source of contaminants as well. Outside gasses or smoke enter the air flow in your home, ruining all the hard work that your system performs each day.
Calling a Professional
Duct cleaning is a simple enough process, but it generally requires a series of advanced tools that can reach deep into the ductwork and remove any excess debris and contaminants that build up. Industrial strength vacuums, heavy duty cleaning materials, and other tools that are available to professionals in the heating and cooling industry are highly valuable in this regard, so it’s recommended that you only let an expert clean your ducts.
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