Your home’s air ducts are important to your heating and cooling system. They help move air from your furnace or air conditioner to each room in your house. This keeps you comfortable no matter what the weather is like outside. But over time, ducts can get dirty. Dust, dirt, and other things can build up inside them. This can cause problems for your home and your health. That’s why it’s a good idea to clean your air ducts every so often.

In this blog, we’ll talk about why you should clean your ducts, how often to do it, and how to find a good cleaning service.

Why Clean Your Air Ducts?

There are several good reasons to have your air ducts cleaned. First, it can improve the air quality in your home. Dirty ducts can blow dust, pollen, and other dirty stuff into the air you breathe. This can make allergies and asthma worse. Cleaning the ducts removes these particles, making your air fresher and healthier.

Second, cleaning can get rid of bad smells. Sometimes, things like cooking odors, pet smells, or cigarette smoke can get stuck in your ducts. Then, whenever the heat or AC kicks on, those smells get pushed out into your rooms. Cleaning removes the source of the odors.

Third, air duct cleaning can help your heating and cooling system work better. When ducts are clogged with dust, your system has to work harder to push the air through. This uses more energy, which can make your bills go up. Air duct cleaning lets the air flow easily, so your system doesn’t have to overwork.

Finally, keeping your ducts clean with regular air duct cleaning can help your heating and cooling system last longer. All that extra work from pushing through dirty ducts can wear out the parts faster. That means you might need repairs or a new system sooner than you would otherwise. Air duct cleaning reduces this strain and can extend the life of your system.

How Often Should You Clean Your Ducts?

Most experts recommend getting your air ducts cleaned every 3 to 5 years. However, you might need to do it more often if you notice certain things. For example, if you can see mold growing inside the ducts or on your heating and cooling equipment, it’s time for a cleaning. The same is true if a lot of dust is blowing out of your vents or if you have a pest problem in your ducts.

Some homes might need more frequent cleanings than others. If someone in your family has allergies or breathing issues, consider cleaning the ducts more often. Homes with smokers or several pets might also need more frequent attention. And if you’ve just finished a renovation project that created a lot of dust, it’s a good idea to clean the ducts.

How to Clean Your Air Ducts

While it’s generally recommended to have air duct cleaning done by professionals, there are some steps you can take to clean your air ducts yourself. However, keep in mind that DIY air duct cleaning may not be as thorough or effective as professional cleaning. Here’s an essential guide for DIY air duct cleaning:

Step 1: Turn Off Your HVAC System

Before you start cleaning, turn off your heating and cooling system. You don’t want it to turn on while cleaning and blow dust everywhere.

Step 2: Remove and Clean the Registers

Remove the registers (the covers over the duct openings in each room). Most of these just unscrew or pop out. Wash them with warm, soapy water and set them aside to dry.

Step 3: Vacuum the Ducts

Use a vacuum cleaner with a long hose attachment to vacuum out the ducts as far as possible. Be gentle to avoid damaging the ducts.

Step 4: Clean the Main Supply Trunk (If Accessible)

If you can access your main supply trunk (the big duct from which all the smaller ones branch), you can also clean that with your vacuum.

Step 5: Replace Your Furnace Filter

After cleaning, replace your furnace filter with a new one. A clean filter will catch a lot of the dust and debris you knocked loose during cleaning.

Step 6: Vacuum and Dust Your House

Vacuum and dust your house thoroughly to pick up any dust blown out of the ducts during cleaning.

Step 7: Replace the Registers and Turn the System Back On

Once everything is clean and dry, replace the registers and turn your heating and cooling system back on.

Remember, while DIY air duct cleaning can help, it may not be as effective as professional cleaning. Consider hiring a professional air duct cleaning service every few years for the most thorough job.

Choosing a Duct Cleaning Service Provider

If you decide it’s time to clean your air ducts, it’s best to hire a professional. But how do you find a good one? Start by asking for recommendations from friends, family, or your local hardware store. You can also check online reviews.

When you contact a company, ask about their process and what kind of equipment they use. Make sure they will clean all components of your system, not just the ducts themselves.

The company should be able to give you a price based on the size of your system, the level of contamination, and the difficulty of accessing the ducts. Be wary of companies that give very low estimates – they might be cutting corners.

A thorough duct cleaning takes 2 to 3 hours. The cleaner will use vacuums and brushes to remove debris from your ducts. Afterwards, they should show you what came out so you can see the difference.

Other Ways to Improve Indoor Air

Cleaning your air ducts is a great way to improve your home’s air quality, but it’s not the only thing you can do. Here are some other tips:

• Change your HVAC filters regularly. This is one of the easiest and most important things you can do. Aim to change them at least every three months or more often if you have pets or allergies.
• Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. These special filters can trap small particles that regular vacuums might recirculate back into the air.
• Keep humidity under control. Too much moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth. Use a dehumidifier if needed, and fix any leaks promptly.
• Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals. Things like bleach and ammonia can irritate your lungs. Look for gentler, natural cleaners instead.
• Let fresh air in. When weather permits, open your windows for a little bit each day. This helps carry stale air and pollutants outside.

Remember, you spend a lot of time indoors, so the quality of your indoor air matters. A little effort can go a long way in making your home healthier and more comfortable.

Conclusion

It might be time to call in the professional. At Got Dust Duct Cleaning, we’re here to help. We know that your ducts are hard to reach and easy to forget about. But trust us, they can get pretty grimy over time. All that built-up dust and debris isn’t just dirty, it can also make your heating and cooling system work harder than needed. That means higher energy bills for you.

When you call Got Dust Duct Cleaning, you can trust that you’re getting the best. Our technicians are highly trained and use state-of-the-art equipment to give your ducts a deep, thorough cleaning. We don’t just stick a vacuum hose in there and call it a day. We take the time to clean every part of your system, from the registers to the main trunk line.

Call Got Dust Duct Cleaning and schedule a professional and thorough cleaning for your home!