It is easy for homeowners to forget about the importance of having their ductwork serviced because they are out of sight. However, forced air systems are essential to the proper operation of your HVAC system. They deliver the conditioned air from your heating and cooling systems that keep you and your family comfortable throughout the year. They also play a vital role in how efficient your HVAC system is. Learn how having your ductwork professionally cleaned can lower your energy costs and some other benefits of this service.
Why Dirty Air Ducts Affect Your HVAC System
In an average six-room home, up to 40 pounds of dust is generated every year just by living in the home. It consists of dirt, hair, dander, and other debris. Some of the dust settles, but much remains suspended in the air. These airborne particulates are pulled into the HVAC system through vents and recirculated about five to seven times daily. Even though an air conditioner’s or heater’s HVAC air filter catches many of these particles, they do not capture them all. Over time these contaminants build up in the ducts.
This debris build-up in a forced air system will prevent heated or cooled air from traveling through ductwork efficiently. If a duct becomes obstructed, it will let less of the conditioned air than it should reach living spaces and bedrooms. This means that HVAC equipment must work longer to heat or cool the home to reach the temperature homeowners have set their thermostats to. As a result, dirty ductwork reduces the system’s efficiency, increasing heating and cooling costs.
Professional Duct Cleaning Increases Efficiency
During ductwork cleaning an HVAC technician will remove any debris obstructing proper airflow through your forced air system. In addition, professional air duct cleaning allows a professional to find other things that need attention in your ductwork. For example, your air ducts can develop leaks and loose connections. Leaky or damaged forced air systems will allow warm or cool air to escape. The EPA estimates that the average home may lose 25% to 40% of its heating and cooling through faulty ducts. Routine duct cleaning will save you money on energy bills because these visits allow a professional to find and fix imperfections in your ductwork and remove obstructions that reduce the efficient delivery of conditioned air to the rooms in your house.
Duct Cleaning Results in a Cleaner Home
In addition to increasing energy efficiency, professional duct cleaning facilitates a more hygienic living environment for you and your family. If you have not had your forced air system serviced in a while, you may struggle to keep your house clean, even though you have not been slacking on your regular routine. As air recirculates through dirty ductwork, it picks up airborne particles that settle on your countertops, rugs, and floors. All this dirt and debris is hard to keep up with. Routine duct cleaning will reduce the amount of airborne particles circulating in your home’s air. This means you may not have to vacuum, mop, and dust as often, and your house will stay clean for much longer after you perform these chores.
How Often Ducts Should Be Cleaned
The census among HVAC experts is that you should have your ducts cleaned at least every five years. However, sources of airborne contaminates in your household may require you to have this service performed more often. For example, if you or other household members smoke in the house or you have a fireplace you use frequently, contaminants from these sources will add to the build-up of particulate matter in your ducts. Other sources of extra airborne pollutants may include remodeling projects and pet dander. When deciding how often you need your ducts cleaned, it is essential to consider all the factors that may contribute to build-up in your ducts.
If members of your household struggle with a respiratory issue, this should also be factored into your decision about how often you need to have your ducts serviced. Dirty ductwork may carry allergens, such as pollen, into your home’s living spaces and increase the symptoms of family members with asthma or allergies. If this is the case, you may need your ducts professionally cleaned more often than the recommendation.
Contact the Pros
At Climate Control, we have served homeowners in Portland, OR since 1989. We install, maintain and repair heating and cooling systems. In addition, our experts provide indoor air quality, duct cleaning, and commercial HVAC services.
If you have questions about cleaning your forced air system or have already decided this service would benefit your household, contact Climate Control today.
