Air ducts are passageways that circulate cooled and heated air throughout your house. Just like any other HVAC system, air ducts require regular maintenance to ensure maximum efficiency.
The general rule of thumb is to have air ducts cleaned professionally every after 2 – 3 years. But this can vary depending on some factors such as the presence of pets, living in an unusually dusty neighborhood, recent house renovations, etc.
Nonetheless, regular professional air duct cleaning comes with endless benefits, here is a quick look at the key ones.
You live in a cleaner home
Since cleaning the ducts reduces the dust circulating in the house, you will find less of it on your furniture, beds, or floor. This means that you will get a healthier home that will require less maintenance.
A Decrease in Allergens and Irritants
Once the air ducts are cleaned, you automatically get rid of molds, fungi, bacteria, and the like which turn out to be irritants and which cause asthma attacks, sniffles, and sneezes.
People who suffer from allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems are particularly sensitive to airborne allergens. A periodic professional air duct cleaning promotes healthier living - otherwise, the dirty air in your home just keeps re-circulating over and over.
3. Remove bad Odours.
Whether you own extra-fluffy pets, smoke, or are an avid cook, all these situations generate odors that circulate around the house through the heating system or air conditioning. Even an accumulation of dust and dirt over the years can lead to a musty scent coming from the ductwork. This is why a good cleaning carried out by a specialized company is key to keeping your indoor air clean and fresh.
4. System Efficiency
Poorly maintained ventilation ducts accumulate a large amount of dust which reduces the efficiency of the heating and air conditioning system. This situation also increases heating costs. In addition, the accumulation of debris leads to an increased risk of fire.
To avoid these inconveniences, you need to schedule regular maintenance of your ventilation ducts.
5. Reduced Energy Consumption
When you turn on your air conditioner, cold air circulates through your duct system and spreads throughout your house. If the ducts are clogged with debris and dust, your HVAC system will need extra energy to force the air through the clogged ducts.
When your HVAC system is forced to work harder to cool your home because of dirty ducts, your energy use goes up by nearly 20%—and so does your monthly electricity bill. By cleaning your ducts regularly, you increase the efficiency of your system and reduce the accompanying electricity bill.
How Often Should Ventilation Ducts Be Serviced?
The frequency of cleaning varies depending on the type of device. Air ducts in busy homes generally require annual cleaning to remain effective. For ventilation and heating systems, maintenance is recommended every five years.
However, some factors may call for more frequent cleaning. This is also the case, following a renovation or at the end of the work. Many other factors that influence the frequency of cleaning such as the number of occupants, the presence of smokers, the presence of animals, the size of the property, and the location of the residence should also be considered.
The air quality in a busy Michigan homestead will not be the same as in the countryside. All of these elements must be taken into account in order to determine the correct maintenance frequency for the ventilation ducts.
Why Hire a professional for air duct cleaning?
Regular duct cleaning prevents expensive repairs and replacements while keeping pollutants at bay. However, this is not an easy task, and it requires some specialized technical skills and equipment. During cleaning, you may uncover some mold, dead critters, and even animal droppings.
The job also requires that you put on protective clothes to prevent dust and other contaminants from getting into your airway. So, if you aren’t used to such tasks, seek professional help. If you opt for DIY duct cleaning, you might create damage that will reduce airflow and affect the efficiency of your unit.