The importance of cleaning air ducts is often overlooked by homeowners. While there is a lot of emphases placed on vacuuming and washing the floors, a lot of homeowners in Seattle do not realize that they need to clean up their air ducts. If these ducts aren’t cleaned regularly, they can become a breeding ground for mold, bacteria, and dust mites.
This can end up making your home more unhealthy than the air outside. Air duct cleaning may work when you’re building a new home to remove drywall dust and other construction debris that can accumulate.
Though air ducts might not require monthly cleaning, you should keep checking them. A professional air duct cleaning service can remove all the dust and debris that are released from the air vents and ducts, leaving them clean and fresh. Most cleaning services also claim that dirty ducts and equipment put a strain on heating and cooling equipment, which wastes energy. Proper cleaning of the ducts will also keep the HVAC system safe.
While the importance of cleaning and maintenance of your air ducts may seem obvious, there are many people out there who don’t do this. A lot of the time, people only clean their ducts when they have a problem with their HVAC equipment. However, this is far from ideal. And we are here to tell you why you need to clean air ducts every year.
Contents
1. What are air ducts?
2. Why should you clean them?
3. How often should you get your air ducts cleaned?
What are air ducts?
Air ducts are passages or ducts through which air is moved. The air ducts in a building are part of the HVAC system and are used to distribute conditioned air throughout the building. Air ducts can also circulate fresh air from outside the building. This can be done by connecting the ducts to an air intake outside the building, allowing fresh air to enter the ducts and circulate throughout the building.
The type of air ducts used in a building depends on the type of HVAC system installed. There are three main types:
Supply Ducts: These ducts carry conditioned air from the HVAC unit to the various rooms in the building. The supply ducts are usually made of metal or insulated flexible ductwork.
Return Ducts: These ducts carry air back to the HVAC unit from the rooms in the building.
The return ducts are usually made of metal or insulated flexible ductwork.
Exhaust Ducts: These ducts are used to remove contaminants and odours from the air in the building. Exhaust ducts are usually made of metal or insulated flexible ductwork.
Why should you clean them?
A home can be a breeding ground for germs. It is possible for these microscopic bacteria to accumulate in the duct system of a home, causing unhealthy air quality in the house. Those who have their air ducts cleaned often find they don’t have to dust as often. Air ducts are an essential part of any home or office, and keeping them clean is vital for several reasons. Dust and other airborne particles can build up in air ducts over time, and if they are not regularly cleaned out, they can eventually be released into the air you breathe. This can cause many health problems, including allergies, asthma, and respiratory infections.
As time goes on, even a small amount of dust can cause your home’s HVAC system to circulate an unpleasant smell. This is because the dust builds up and traps odor particles. The furnace or air conditioner circulates the smell throughout the house every time they’re turned on.
You need to have the air ducts cleaned to remove the bad smell. This will also remove the dust that was causing the problem in the first place. In addition, dirt and dust can also contribute to the wear and tear of your air ducts, making them less efficient and more expensive to operate. Regularly cleaning and maintaining your ducts can help to improve your indoor air quality, as well as prolong the life of your ducts.
Ducts can become clogged over time with dust, dirt, household cleaning, cleaning agents, mold spores, and other contaminants that are in the air. These contaminants can cause health problems for people with allergies or respiratory illnesses.
When should you get your ducts cleaned?
The EPA recommends that you get your ducts cleaned every 3-5 years, depending on the condition of your ductwork. If you have never had your air ducts cleaned before, it may be a good idea to do this as soon as possible to improve your home’s air quality. If you have never had your ducts cleaned before, it may be a good idea to do this as soon as possible to improve indoor air quality. Many HVAC companies will suggest a certain frequency or schedule for cleaning the ducts, but regular HVAC cleaning is not required to keep the home healthy and the air quality good. Besides, there are many benefits of air duct cleaning.
Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning Every Year
Following are the four main benefits of having the air duct system cleaned:
1. Makes the living environment cleaner
When your ducts are cleaned by a professional, there is less dust in the air of your home, so you won’t have to clean and dust as often to keep things clean. Professionally cleaned air ducts also reduce indoor air pollution too.
2. Decreases irritants and allergens
Besides dust, air ducts can often contain harmful contaminants and micro-organisms such as pet dander, bacteria, pollen, mildew, and mold spores. In order to live a healthier life, people with respiratory problems should have their ducts cleaned on a regular basis.
3. Enhances energy efficiency
Dust and other particles can clog up your HVAC system, making it work harder and use more energy. Clean ducts will help your system run at its most efficiently.
4. Safeguards your HVAC
By regularly cleaning your ducts and HVAC components, you can avoid costly repairs and extend the life of your system.
A professional duct cleaning service can do this for you, or you can do it yourself.
How often should you get your air ducts cleaned?
There is no definitive answer to how often you should have your air ducts cleaned. However, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends that they be cleaned every three to five years. Ultimately, it depends on several factors, such as the type of home you have, the number of people living in your home, whether you have pets, and whether anyone in your household suffers from allergies or asthma. Cleaner air will help them to breathe better. If you are unsure, it is always best to consult with a professional who can assess your situation and make a recommendation.
Conclusion
Air duct cleaning is important and a one-time cost that can save you thousands over time in energy costs. Try to get your air ducts cleaned at least once a year. By taking the time to clean your air ducts regularly, you can be sure that you and your family are breathing clean air.
To sum up, dirty ducts are problematic for a variety of reasons. If you do not take care of them, those reasons will become more numerous and you will have a big problem in your home. It is much better to clean your ducts regularly with rags and soaps. It is also possible to use special cleaning products and tools. However, there is no proper evidence of the ill effects of duct cleaning. Research suggests that a small amount of household dust, dirt, and debris in ducts poses no health risks.