Dirty air ducts can decrease the efficiency of your home’s heating and cooling system, increase your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and lead to unhealthy indoor air quality. Cleaning your home’s air ducts is a necessary task that most homeowners dread. And for good reason; cleaning them can be time-consuming and messy. However, the consequences of not cleaning your air ducts could be much worse than simply spending an afternoon sweating while crawling around in tight spaces. Dirty air ducts are a sign that there is some sort of problem with the way your HVAC system is operating. Because they are inaccessible when the HVAC system is running, it’s important to inspect and clean them as soon as you begin to notice an odor or see dirt gathering in corners. Here are some reasons why air ducts get dirty:
A buildup of lint in the dryer vent
Lint, which is a type of fabric fiber found in most homes’ dryer vents, is responsible for a significant percentage of air duct cleaning calls. The problem with lint is that it is highly flammable, which means that it can easily ignite when it comes into contact with a spark from the dryer. Once it has burned, it can be very difficult to remove from the ducts, and it is often necessary to replace the ducts or the ductwork. Lint buildup in the dryer vent can cause the dryer to run longer because it is restricting the flow of air. Additionally, lint buildup in the ducts can restrict the flow of air throughout the home by forming clogs, reducing the effectiveness of the HVAC system.
Dust can accumulate in your air ducts over time.
Even if your HVAC system is new and in perfect working condition, there will still be dust circulating in your home’s air ducts. As you use your HVAC system, you are introducing microscopic pieces of dust into the ductwork. Over time, these particles can accumulate and cause issues with the functionality of your HVAC system. There are also several health hazards associated with a build-up of dust in the air ducts. First, dust can be highly allergenic, especially if it contains common allergens such as dust mites or pet hair. Second, dust can cause irritation in the lungs and breathing passages, especially for people with asthma or allergies.
Broken or damaged air duct insulation
The insulation in your air ducts is there to protect the ducts from excessive heat loss. Over time, the exterior covering of the ducts can become damaged. As the ducts age, they are also more susceptible to being crushed, torn, or punctured by animals or rodents. When the insulation becomes damaged or is crushed, it becomes less effective at preventing heat loss. This can make your HVAC system work harder to maintain your desired indoor temperature. If the air ducts are made of fiberglass, the insulation can become contaminated with dust, lint, and other particles that may not be visible to the naked eye. This can lead to an accumulation of these particles inside the ducts, which can reduce the effectiveness of your HVAC system. If the ducts are made of metal, the insulation can become oxidized. This can cause the metal to rust, which can damage the ducts and lead to leaks that cause indoor air quality issues.
Poor installation
Air ducts are installed at the time of construction for new homes, but once they’re in place, they can be difficult to access. This means that poor installation can lead to air duct issues that go undetected for years. For example, if a contractor installs a duct incorrectly, it could cause the flow of air through the duct to be uneven. This could cause your HVAC system to run longer than necessary and could also cause your indoor air quality to suffer. If a contractor doesn’t install the ducts properly, they may not fit tightly, which can lead to gaps in the ductwork. Gaps in the ductwork can allow particles, dust, and lint to accumulate inside the ducts. Air ducts that aren’t installed properly can also cause uneven cooling throughout the home.
Several ways you can help keep your ducts clean
Cleaning your air ducts is a good way to prevent health hazards and extend the life of your HVAC system. Here are some ways you can keep your air ducts clean:
Regularly clean the dryer’s duct – This should be done every year, or whenever you do your annual dryer cleaning. Cleaning the duct will help keep the lint out of your ducts, which means less work for your HVAC system and healthier indoor air quality.
Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter – A HEPA filter can trap a lot of the tiny particles that escape the vacuum. This will help keep the air ducts clean, which will reduce the amount of work your HVAC system has to do and will also help keep your indoor air quality healthy.
Hiring an air duct cleaning company is the only way to clean air ducts
In order to keep your air ducts clean, you need to hire an air duct cleaning company. These companies have the right equipment and experience to get the job done right. They will be able to clean dirt, debris, and even mold from your ducts. This can improve the airflow in your home by 25 percent or more. It can also reduce the risk of fire by up to 50 percent. And it can save you money in the long run because it helps prevent potential problems with your HVAC system. A good air duct cleaning company will do everything they can to make sure your air ducts are kept clean and safe. They will use high-quality equipment that is up to code and will clean every inch of your ducts with special brushes and other tools. And they will go beyond just cleaning the ducts themselves. They will also check all of the surfaces in your home for signs of mold, bacteria, or other contamination that could be spreading into your air ducts.