Scheduling a duct cleaning for your home in Dallas, OR or in the greater Salem area can help boost the performance of your HVAC system. This saves you money on your monthly energy bills and can lengthen the lifespan of your heating and cooling equipment. Not to mention, you can reap the benefits of fewer HVAC repair appointments when you keep up with duct cleanings every three to five years.
Ductwork and Your HVAC System
Your HVAC system uses ducting to transport warm and cool air to your various living spaces. It’s common for your ducts to experience a buildup of dust, dirt, and grime over time. There are other types of debris that can accumulate in your ducts, including messes left behind by pests and mold spores resulting from high humidity levels. When you have a professional clean your ducts, it can remove debris and promote efficient airflow. This allows your HVAC system to function normally.
How Duct Cleaning Boosts HVAC Performance
Balanced airflow through the ducts is fundamental to an efficient and effective heating and cooling system. From more even temperatures to healthier indoor air and a longer-lasting HVAC system, there are numerous benefits to investing in routine duct cleanings.
Improving Comfort
Proper airflow is critical for even temperatures throughout your home. When you have a significant accumulation of particulate matter and debris in your ducting, this can impede the flow of air. That means areas right near the vents will quickly reach your preferred temperature while other areas remain uncomfortable.
Ensuring System Longevity
Restricted airflow also causes your HVAC system to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. This can lead to system strain, malfunctions, and high energy bills. A strained HVAC system will also experience more significant wear and tear. Over time, this can shorten the life expectancy of your equipment.
If you invest in regular professional HVAC maintenance, furnaces and air conditioners typically last between 15 and 20 years. However, if airflow restriction occurs due to dirty ducting, this can lead to expensive and complex issues, such as frozen evaporator coils, an overheating blower motor, and heat exchanger problems. You can maximize the service life of your system by adding duct cleaning to remove debris and clogs from the ducting.
Improving Indoor Air Quality
If a significant amount of particulate matter is present in your ductwork, it can lead to poor indoor air quality. Contaminants such as dust, mold spores, and pet dander can recirculate, leading to increased allergies, headaches, and fatigue. The dark, damp space inside the ducts can also harbor bacteria. Professional duct cleaning gets rid of this buildup, contributing to a cleaner, healthier home.
If indoor air quality is a priority for you, consider our whole-home air purification systems. In addition to dramatically improving air quality, it can also prevent dirt, dust, and dander from accumulating in your ducts.
Reducing Energy Use
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that HVAC systems account for a significant portion of the energy a home uses. In very restricted ducting, you can boost energy efficiency by 10% to 30%. Clean ductwork can save energy by minimizing the amount of time your heating and cooling equipment must run. Air is distributed evenly, making your home feel comfortable and lowering your energy bills. This also reduces your home’s carbon footprint by reducing carbon emissions.
What a Duct Cleaning Involves
Before beginning the duct cleaning process, an inspection will be conducted. This can include using specialized cameras to assess the amount of debris present and any potential damage to the ductwork. Then, high-powered vacuum equipment will remove debris and contaminants. Brushes may be used to remove particulate matter that is stuck to the interior of your ducts.
You also have the option of having an antimicrobial treatment applied to the interior of your ducting. This kills bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that are in your ducts. This can also prevent their recurrence.
Signs It’s Time for a Duct Cleaning
It’s common for particulate matter to build up in your ducts even if you’re diligent about keeping your home clean. There are signs to watch out for that indicate it’s time to schedule a cleaning. For instance, you may notice that the surfaces in your home are becoming increasingly dusty and dirty. You may see a buildup of dust on your vents and registers.
If there are musty or moldy odors coming out of your vents, there’s likely debris buildup impacting your indoor air quality. You may also notice your allergy symptoms flare when you’re at home. Recent home construction can introduce a variety of contaminants into your ducting. A one-off cleaning may be necessary after home remodeling even if you’ve had your ducts cleaned recently.
Pay attention to the air flowing out of your vents, noting any areas with weaker airflow. If you’re having trouble achieving a comfortable indoor temperature or normal airflow, restricted airflow caused by debris may be to blame. While duct cleaning may help, there could be other HVAC issues to blame, such as damage to fan blades, clogged filters, duct damage, or refrigerant leaks. It’s ideal to schedule an appointment with a professional to determine the cause. Keep in mind that routine duct cleaning is not the same as routine HVAC maintenance, which should be performed annually.
Each month, evaluate your energy bill. You should be able to compare your consumption to the previous month and the same time last year. If you’re noticing a steady increase in the amount of energy you’re using, this could be the result of dirty ducts and HVAC equipment strain. Consult with a professional to determine if you would benefit from duct cleaning or if other work is needed.
Professional Assistance
Homeowners can wipe down vents and registers and vacuum the area just inside the vents. However, professional assistance is necessary to clear the entire system of ductwork in your home. Professional assistance can also help spot any ductwork concerns that may be impacting the efficiency of your HVAC system. Working with our experienced professionals can also prevent more severe and costly damage by catching problems early.
Allergy and asthma sufferers should consider scheduling duct cleaning more frequently than the recommended three- to five-year timeframe. Annual HVAC maintenance provides a professional with the opportunity to clean the interior components of your furnace and air conditioner. However, adding duct inspections and cleaning helps keep everything functioning optimally.
Home Comfort Inc. can help you boost the efficiency of your HVAC system using periodic duct cleaning. We recommend scheduling this process once every three to five years. More frequent duct cleaning can be beneficial for people who suffer from allergies or chronic health conditions. We can also install whole-home air purification equipment to reduce the prevalence of particulate matter in your ducts and indoor air. Reach out to Home Comfort Inc. today to schedule an indoor air quality appointment with our team in Dallas today for all your heating and cooling needs.
