Why You Should Keep Your Air Ducts Clean
Out of site out of mind, right? Most of the time this is true and what takes place behind the AC vent is a good example. However, just because you don’t think about this hidden world doesn’t mean it should go unattended. It is interesting to know that cleaning and servicing your HVAC duct work will make a difference you never knew was possible. Here as some sound examples of the difference clean duct work will make in your life and in your home.
Cleaning and inspection
Cleaning and inspection of the duct work go hand in hand because the duct work extends to all the components of the heating and cooling system, and with that comes any discovery of failures in the system or damages to the extended components. Fans should be clean and free of oil and grease. Registers should be free moving. Seals and insulation must be without cracks or gaps, and cooling components, like the coil, should pass the flash light test (the test is where you shine the flashlight on the front side of the coil configuration and the beam will pass through to the back side indicating a clean coil network).
Health concerns
Did you know there can be substantial visible mold growth inside hard surfaces of sheet metal ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system? Duct work cleaning and inspection will evaluate the material that your ducting is made of. Is it stainless steel, fiberglass or with a very old home, is it asbestos? So right off the bat upon conclusion of the inspection and cleaning you will be able to determine, no mold or no asbestos. This is important information to have when talking about health concerns with duct work.
Additional health concerns being discussed these days are allergy aggravation. People’s bodies respond differently to different situations and scenarios. Cleaning your duct work might be an area you will want to think about when dealing with serious allergy problems with your loved ones in the home. Over the years your ducts may have become full of garbage, including the allergy-producing particles such as mold, dust, pet hair. Cleaning the ducts doesn’t necessarily mean that the allergy symptoms will be reduced (it’s all individual and depends on many other factors), but it will certainly reduce the levels of allergens in the air, providing a safer environment for your family.
Financial savings
Over time dirt and moisture buildup will affect your HVAC system. This buildup on the fan blades can cause imbalance on their bearings resulting in motor failure. An efficient running HVAC costs less to operate, so seasonal inspections and cleanings are much easier on the pocket-book than an expensive fan or compressor motor. If you own an older house chances are the duct work hasn’t been inspected in a while. Now is the time to discover any compromises that might be in the system, and to learn if the material is asbestos free. When the time comes to sell your home or even if you want to refinance, having an HVAC system that has been well maintained over the years will add value to the home, monetarily, esthetically, and overall increased resale probability.
Remember each situation and system environment is different and to know a problem exists isn’t enough. How the problem began and what steps can be taken to prevent it in the future is good preventive maintenance and will extend the life of your HVAC system, including the duct work.