You should schedule professional duct cleaning for many reasons. While it’s not at the top of most AC maintenance lists, it can positively impact your home. Ductwork circulates heated and cooled air to every room, along with dust particles, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, chemicals, and other contaminants. If you haven’t had a duct cleaning in the past few years (a duct sealing service can help, too), here’s why you should schedule one.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Improvements
Pollutants can enter the duct system via return vents or through gaps, holes, and loose connections. The air in your home can become unhealthy to breathe, leading to increased allergy symptoms, asthma attacks, and potentially other health issues. Unclean ducts can also contribute to increased moisture, which can make your home feel sticky and increase the risk of mold.
With duct cleaning, your home’s air can be clean, mold-free, and flow without harmful microorganisms putting your family’s health at risk.
Fewer Undesirable Odors
A wide range of odors can get trapped in ductwork. These range from food smells from the kitchen to odors from tobacco smoke, paint fumes, and cleaning agents. Mold, bacteria, and droppings from rodents and other animals can leave your home with a stench that can make it nearly uninhabitable. The odors are even worse if creatures get trapped, die, and decompose in air ducts.
Clean ducts are harder for animals and insects to nest and hide in. Professionals can also eliminate various other odor sources so your house smells fresh again.
A Cleaner Home
Duct cleaning helps eliminate the dust particles that get blown into the air and settle on surfaces. Therefore, check the ducts if your home is getting dustier despite more frequent, rigorous cleanings. Having them professionally cleaned can result in your home staying cleaner for longer.
Once your ductwork is treated, you’ll probably spend less time cleaning dirt off floors, furniture, and bedding.
A Safer Home
Dirty ducts can not only lead to an unpleasant and unsanitary situation. Lint, dirt, and other materials can catch fire if they heat up. This is a serious risk if you have a propane furnace, stove, or fireplace or if your HVAC unit is old. Such a fire can cause massive damage to your property and put your loved ones’ lives at risk.
Fortunately, duct cleaning eliminates flammable materials and reduces the risk of a major house fire.
Your HVAC System Can Run More Efficiently
Layers of dust and debris in air ducts can restrict airflow. If your ductwork can’t distribute air effectively, parts of your home will be hot and others may be cold. As a result, your HVAC unit will work harder to move enough air through the system. It will also use more energy in the process, causing your energy bills to increase.
Therefore, duct cleaning can save you money over time.
Your AC/Heating System Can Last Longer
If your air ducts are contaminated, an HVAC unit will work harder and run longer to maintain the set temperature. The increased demand causes wear and tear that can lead to a breakdown. Repairs may become more frequent and you may need an emergency HVAC company in the middle of winter or summer.
Cleaner ducts avoid long-term strain that can damage the motor and compressor, potentially leading to a system failure that warrants a full replacement.
Duct Cleaning Lets a Contractor Find Hidden Issues
Duct cleaning is more than about removing dust and dirt. It’s an opportunity to check the entire system. From resolving the cause of air filters clogging up too quickly to identifying air leaks, rusty ductwork, and loose connections, the process enables a professional to find solutions before the system is overly strained. Leaky air ducts can be sealed while insulating ductwork also helps improve efficiency.
A technician can also check if other components are running smoothly or need to be lubricated, adjusted, repaired, or replaced. Therefore, having ductwork cleaned can help your entire HVAC system run more smoothly.
Call Air Stars to Schedule Ductwork Services
If HVAC issues are originating from your ductwork, Air Stars can help. Our team is committed to helping improve your home’s indoor air quality and energy efficiency. We provide high-quality, effective duct sealing services and can also insulate inefficient ducts. Whole-home air filtration and air purification solutions are also available. To learn more, contact us online, use our online booking tool, or call (503) 304-1320.
