Simple DIY HVAC Air Duct Maintenance
Some parts of the home are easy to just forget about; they are always there, and they are always working well — or at least on the surface they seem to be.
One such part of the home? Your air ducts. Ductwork rarely suffers from what would qualify as a genuine breakdown, instead, problems slowly build up over time, causing a wide variety of problems that are small enough to overlook on a day to day basis. However, your ductwork plays an important role in your home, moving air throughout your house.
As such, you should not neglect it; scheduling yearly maintenance is vital.
Why You Should Maintain Your HVAC Air Ducts
Air ducts are a great place for dust, dirt, and even pesky creatures to gather. The air moving through them brings things in, but it doesn’t move them out effectively enough to keep them clean, which means that things build up over time. So, what kinds of things can you find gathered in your air ducts? Mold is a big one and one that can cause major health problems.
Breathing in mold spores can lead to a wide variety of illnesses and reduce your quality of life. As air goes through your ducts and comes out of your vents, it can push these mold spores into the air, allowing you and your loved ones to breathe them in. The other things that gather are also unpleasant and can lead to health-related side effects.
Bugs deposit their feces inside ductwork and also die and decompose in there; mice and rats can actually live inside of ductwork quite easily; general dust and dirt, while more pleasant than the other items we mentioned, also build up and pose health problems.
None of these are things you want to be breathing in, or want your family to be breathing in, but if they are left to sit in your ductwork, you will be. Also problematic is the fact that as these items build up in the ducts, creating clogs. When the ductwork is clogged, it decreases the efficiency of your HVAC system. It will have to work harder for poorer results, consuming more and more energy and that means a bigger bill for you.
However, the main reason you should maintain your duct system is due to its impact on your health. Allergies and asthma are triggered by dirty air, and your air ducts are largely responsible for the cleanliness of the air in your home. With mold and animal and bug feces, you can develop respiratory issues and you will take longer to recover from illnesses. As such, it is vital that you clean and maintain your system on at least a yearly basis.
General Air Duct Maintenance
So now that you understand how important it is to maintain your air ducts, what does air duct maintenance look like? It’s pretty simple—so simple that you’ll wonder why you haven’t been getting it done all along. The first thing the company you call will do is examine the air ducts in your home. They will look for all the things we mentioned above, signs of pesky critters, mold, and mildew, etc.
Also, check to ensure that the air ducts are in good shape. If there are items in the air duct system that need to be cleaned out, and we promise, there will be plenty, they will thoroughly clean your air ducts as well as disinfect them to ward off the growth or regrowth of mold and bacteria.
Should there be any sign of damage, which is less likely to be the case, they will be repaired or replaced. At the same time, they should take a look at all components of your HVAC system, ensuring everything is clean, functioning well, and maintaining the safety of your home and family.
Signs that Your Need Air Duct Maintenance Service
The main sign that you need air duct maintenance service is simply how long it has been since you have had it done. If the answer is anything between never and more than a year ago, it is time to call an appliance or HVAC service and have them come check and clean your system. However, there are other signs you can look for:
- Is your electric bill increasing? This could be a sign that your air ducts are not properly sealed and the system is having to work harder than it is meant to.
- Do you see dust gathering on or around you vent covers? If you do, chances are there is significant buildup inside. Even if you cannot see outward evidence, take the vent covers off and see what you find inside.
- Is the air filter on your system filling faster than expected? It could be that there’s too much dirt and debris in your system.
- When you look inside the furnace, is there a lot of dust? This is a sign that there is also too much in your ductwork.
- Do you see dust on your air conditioning coil? This is yet another sign of dust buildup in the ducts.
What Should You Do if Your Air Ducts Require Maintenance?
While it is possible to handle most items yourself, it is a dirty job, and you cannot be certain about what you will find once you dive into the work. As such, it is a good idea to leave this to the professionals. As this is pretty simple work, it will not break the bank to have a maintenance visit once a year, and the payoff of having clean air to breathe is certainly worth it.
For Air Duct Maintenance, Call Chief Appliance
Here at Chief Appliance, we have all the specialty equipment needed to diagnose any problems with your air ducts and clean them thoroughly and efficiently. We will be in and out in just about an hour, ensuring your routine is not disrupted. For clean air, greater efficiency, and a better quality of life, call us to attend to your air duct maintenance needs.
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