Should Homeowner’s Have Their Air Ducts Cleaned?
The ducts in your home are like a highway for conditioned air to travel around your house. When the air reaches its destination, it flows through vents in your bedroom, kitchen, or other spaces throughout the interior of your home. Unfortunately, your ductwork will likely become lined with dirt, pollen, and other debris over time. This build-up reduces indoor air quality and negatively affects the operation of your HVAC system. It is essential to have your ductwork professionally cleaned routinely.
Ducts Should Be Cleaned By a Professional Every Five Years
Experts recommend a professional cleaning of your ductwork every five years. However, there are a number of factors that may affect how quickly build-up accumulates in your ducts. For instance, if you have pets, their fur and dander may cause additional airborne pollutants that get stuck inside your ducts. Other factors include recent construction in your house, how many people live in your household, and if you or other household members smoke in the house. All these considerations and others may make it necessary to have your ducts serviced more often.
In addition, health concerns may necessitate shorter intervals between duct cleanings. The allergens carried throughout your house by ductwork may increase the symptoms of household members with respiratory issues such as asthma and allergies. In this scenario, you may want to have your ducts serviced at least once a year.
Regardless of how often you schedule duct cleaning, a HVAC professional has the experience, training, and equipment to do the job right. During the service, many of your forced air system’s components are removed, cleaned, and reinstalled. In addition, specialized equipment is used to scrub the insides of the actual ducts. After the service is complete, the technician will test your system to make sure it is operating correctly. They will also remove any hazardous materials from your home when they leave.
Benefits of Regular Duct Cleaning
A Cleaner House
One benefit of having a HVAC technician clean your ductwork is that it creates a cleaner living space for you and your family. You may have noticed that your home gets dirty fast, even though you have been keeping up with your usual cleaning routine. This is because debris in your ductwork is recirculating and settling on your carpets, countertops, and furniture. When a professional removes all the dirt, dust, and other airborne pollutants from your ducts, you will find that you do not have to clean as often, and when you do, your house stays cleaner for longer.
A More Efficient HVAC System
A clog in a ductwork system will prevent air from flowing efficiently throughout your house. If a duct is blocked, it will only allow a fraction of the air that it should from reaching your living spaces and bedrooms. This will make your heating or cooling system run longer to maintain the temperature you have set on your thermostat. A professional cleaning will remove these obstructions and, as a result, reduce your heating and cooling bills.
In addition, a leaky or damaged duct may allow cool or warm air from your HVAC system to escape. In fact, the EPA estimates homeowners may lose 25 to 40 percent of their conditioned air through ductwork. During a professional cleaning, a HVAC technician will identify any issues with your ductwork and recommend a solution. Regular duct cleaning may save you money on utility bills because these visits allow a professional to identify leaks and fix them, increasing the efficiency of your system.
Changing HVAC Air Filters Can Help
Your HVAC system’s air filters can capture much of the pollen, dirt, or dust that makes its way into your ducts. However, if a homeowner fails to replace the air filter regularly, it will become saturated and unable to perform this function. Changing out air filters will reduce debris build-up in your ducts and may increase how long you can wait between having professional ductwork cleanings done.
Contact the Proessionals
At Jeffries Heating & Air + Plumbing, we are a local business that has been serving the residents of Somerset, KY and the surrounding communities for years. We install, repair, and maintain heating and cooling systems. Additionally, our experts provide plumbing, indoor air quality, and air duct cleaning services. We invite you to join one of our maintenance plans to stay on top of your HVAC system’s needs. Members receive a 10 percent discount on parts and services.
If it has been a while since you have had your ductwork cleaned, we can help. Contact Jeffries Heating & Air + Plumbing today to schedule an appointment.
