Your home’s ductwork for heating and cooling serves as its lungs. The ducts function better with clean air just like your lungs do. How clean your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) ducts should be, however, is a matter of some debate.
It’s simple to image what the interior of the vents and air ducts in your HVAC system must look like over time when you consider how much dust and grime may accumulate over time on the surfaces we can see.
It’s crucial to clean the air ducts in your house. The vents can conceal a variety of things, including dust, grime, spider webs, and mould. Your family’s health may suffer if your air ducts include any contaminants like dust or mould.
When you turn on the HVAC, particles and impurities that have hidden inside the ductwork will travel throughout your house. The effects of breathing in dust, mould, hair, pet dander, and other pollutants are varied.
Unfortunately, hiring a professional to clean your air ducts can be rather expensive. But can you handle it on your own?
Does It Matter If I Clean the Air Ducts Regularly?
It can be worthwhile to engage a professional to clean your ducts if you find or suspect mould development, mouse or insect infestation, dust entering your home through the ducts, or if you’re concerned about consistent airflow from room to room.
However, there is the issue of costs. Turning to the specialists can be extremely expensive, so if there isn’t really a need for it, you might find yourself paying money pointlessly. But if mould is indeed the problem, action must be taken.
Sneezing, runny noses, and eye irritation are some of the most typical symptoms of dirty home air ducts. Allergens can also cause more serious side effects like asthma episodes, migraines, and nausea.
There may be something there if you or other family members experience symptoms at home but not outside. You can try to examine into your air ducts with a flashlight after opening them up.
Is Cleaning Air Ducts really a DIY Project?
Cleaning air ducts is not a DIY project when it comes to the details. It requires equipment that you don’t have laying around in the garage, such a powerful vacuum and rotary brushes. Additionally, a poor cleaning procedure could harm the ducts, necessitating costly repairs.
The vacuum cleaner is the ideal DIY project for your HVAC system. With the vacuum brush attachment, keep the wall duct registers and floor grilles clean. If there is a lot of dust, remove the grills and use a hose to clean the ducts’ visible inside. Don’t forget to account for the cold-air returns.
Cost of Cleaning Air Ducts
It costs money to have your air ducts professionally cleaned. But only every three to five years, or as necessary, is advised.
Although costs vary based on where you live, the average is $300. It may cost anywhere from $250 to $450. Consider the size and quantity of ducts in your property as well; this could increase the cost to $700.
⇒ Tools Needed to Clean the Ducts
You will require a few unique tools in order to thoroughly clean every part of your air ducts.
- Vacuum
- Air Filter
- Brush
- Paper Towels
- Screw Driver
Step by Step Process of Cleaning the Air Ducts Yourself
When you follow these instructions, cleaning your AC ducts by yourself isn’t that difficult.
1. Wash the vent covers after removing them.
With your screwdriver, remove the vent covers. To clean them, you can either put them in the dishwasher or just give them a hand-rinse. To dry, set them aside.
2. Paper towels should be used to cover vent openings.
A few paper towels might be used to cover the supply register apertures. As a result, when cleaning ducts in other areas of the HVAC system, dust won’t blow out of them and drop on your walls and floor. When cleaning, you will need to remove the covers, however it’s a good idea to put them back on after you are done.
3. Clean up the dust.
To loosen the dust stuck to the walls, tap the handle of your brush against the ductwork’s sidewalls.
4. Vacuum it up.
To remove all the debris within your reach, use the nozzle and brush attachments on your vacuum hose. After that, use paper towels to wipe down the walls if any dust is still there. Repetition is necessary for each ductwork opening.
5. Replace the air filter.
Now that you have been able to successfully remove some of the dust from your ducts, maintain even cleaner indoor air by switching out your air filter.
6. Change the vent covers.
Make sure to reinstall all of your vent covers after washing them.
You can enhance the cleanliness of your home and the quality of your indoor air by repeating this procedure in the months between appointments for air duct cleaning services.
How to Avoid Air Duct Pollution
A properly kept HVAC system won’t require as frequent cleaning. There are various things you may take to make sure your system is uncontaminated:
● Use a high-efficiency air filter
The manufacturer of your heating and cooling system should be able to advise you on which filters to use. To guarantee healthy indoor air quality, use the suggested air filter that is the most effective.
● Replace filters
If you see that the quality of your indoor air is being degraded. If you have allergies, having unclean filters may make them worse.
● Insulate the air duct
To make sure no air may enter through the filters. Make sure there are no missing filters as well.
● Verify additional areas
Ask the person cleaning your air ducts to also clean the drain pans and cooling coils.
● Regular cleaning can help prevent contamination in the ducts.
Regular vacuuming and dust control will help also. For optimal results, use a HEPA vacuum because it will capture small particles.
Conclusion
It’s advised that you engage an AC specialist to professionally clean your home’s air ducts at least once a year even if you clean your air ducts yourself.
If you want to hire professionals, be warned that some businesses prey on people’s allergies and concerns about mould. They might offer a “free inspection” and then charge a huge sum to treat (nonexistent) mold and to “seal” the entire system.