Why Should I Have the Air Ducts Cleaned in My House?
Your HVAC system is constantly at work trying to keep you comfortable. It runs day and night moving air-conditioned air through an extensive ventilation system of air ducts. Unfortunately, dust, dirt, pet dander, pollen and other contaminants can build up in those ducts, causing poor indoor air quality and reduced efficiency.
Air duct cleaning is one of those easy-to-overlook maintenance tasks that can have a big impact on your home comfort. Here’s why the experts at ThoroClean, one of the top Albuquerque air duct cleaning service providers, thinks you should schedule air duct cleaning.
Why Air Duct Cleaning is Important
When your home’s heating or cooling system is on, it pulls air into the system and distributes it throughout your home. Dust, lint and allergens are suspended in that air, and some of it inevitably ends up in your ductwork.
If you have pets that shed, smokers living in your house, recent remodeling or family members who suffer from allergies or asthma, your ducts might contain a larger-than-average amount of debris. And just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not spreading throughout your house every time your system cycles.
The more debris that accumulates inside your air ducts, the harder your HVAC system has to work to circulate air through your home. Clean ductwork means better indoor air quality and fewer headaches for your system.
How Often Do I Need My Air Ducts Cleaned?
Duct cleaning should be done about every three to five years. However, depending on your home and lifestyle, you may need to have it done more often. If you’ve recently moved into a new house or had renovations done, you may want to consider having it done as part of your home’s initial setup. Likewise, if you’ve noticed more dust around your house or someone has developed allergy-like symptoms, it’s a good idea to have the ducts inspected.
Other indicators that you might need air duct cleaning include:
– Dust comes out of your vents when they’re on.
– Rooms that used to be evenly heated or cooled now have variances.
– You can smell a musty odor coming from vents when you run your system.
If you spot mold growth or evidence of rodents or insects in your ductwork, call to get air duct cleaning done immediately. This is more than just an annoyance—it could lead to serious health issues.
What to Expect During Air Duct Cleaning
Air duct cleaning isn’t a DIY job. Cleaning your vents requires special tools and equipment. A professional will come to your home and start by inspecting your HVAC system and ductwork to identify any trouble spots. Our technicians in Albuquerque, NM utilize a rotary brush system or powerful vacuum to loosen debris inside the ducts. They then use a powerful vacuum to suck that debris out of your ducts and trap it in a container.
Technicians will clean all your system’s air supply and return air ducts, along with the registers, grilles and diffusers. Some technicians may even clean other components of your HVAC system that can harbor debris and bacteria like your blower motor, evaporator coil and drip pans.
Duct cleaning can restore your system’s air distribution network and help you breathe easier while saving you money on utility bills.
Benefits of Clean Air Ducts
There are several benefits to cleaning your air ducts. Here are just a few.
Healthy Air
The air quality in your home affects you and your family. Since most people spend a large majority of their time indoors, it’s vital your home’s air is free of contaminants.
Duct cleaning can help improve your home’s indoor air quality by removing dust, pollen and pet dander that can cause allergy symptoms. Not only will you breathe easier, but your home will feel cleaner. You may even find yourself dusting less often!
Efficiency
Another benefit of clean air ducts is increased energy efficiency. Just like a dirty filter can cause your system to work harder, excess debris in your ducts can impact your comfort and airflow.
Clean air ducts allow your system to push air freely throughout your home, reducing strain on your HVAC system and decreasing your monthly energy bills. Many homeowners notice a decrease in energy costs after the first duct cleaning, especially if the system has never been cleaned before.
Odor Removal
Whether it’s from pets, cooking or even mold and mildew buildup, your ducts may trap odor that becomes stale as it moves throughout your home. When you run your heating or cooling system, those odors are dispersed.
During a duct cleaning, all that debris that’s causing odors will be removed. Professional technicians may apply antimicrobial treatment to the inside of your ducts after they’ve been cleaned to prevent mold and mildew from returning.
When’s the Best Time to Schedule Air Duct Cleaning?
Ideally, you should schedule air duct cleaning every few years. The best time to do this is either in the spring or fall before your busiest heating or cooling season starts. That way you know your system is clean and ready to go when you need it.
However, if you experience a sudden decrease in air quality or airflow, it’s never hurt to schedule cleaning. Other indicators you may need for air duct cleaning include water damage, smoke damage, pest infestations and remodeling projects.
Why Trust Professional Air Duct Cleaning Experts?
It might be tempting to try to save some money and clean your own air ducts, but DIY cleaning is often ineffective and could damage your system. Most people don’t have the tools or expertise to properly clean ductwork. Our technicians are trained and certified, which means we have the experience required to clean your ducts safely and efficiently.
We’ll also check your ducts for leaks or insulation problems while we’re there. Sealing leaks and adding insulation can not only improve your indoor air quality but help your system run more efficiently.
Don’t forget, clean air ducts mean better indoor air quality and easier operation for your HVAC system. If you’re unsure whether you need your ducts cleaned or not, give us a call. We can inspect your system and let you know if cleaning is needed.
Call ThoroClean Today for Air Duct Cleaning
Air duct cleaning helps reduce allergens in your home, improves air flow and helps your system work more efficiently. If you think it’s time for your home’s air ducts to be cleaned, give us a call at 505-883-0437 or request service online by filling out our website form today. We’ll schedule an appointment that’s convenient for you and have your ducts cleaned in no time!
