Why clean your air ducts?

When you think about your HVAC system, the chances are that your air conditioner, furnace or heat pump dominates your thought process.

But there is far more to your home or business’s heating and cooling systems than that.

So, while you may think about getting your AC or heater serviced or when they may be coming to the end of their working lives, spare a moment for your ductwork. For while the air conditioner or heater may act as the beating heart of your home or office atmosphere, it is your ductwork that acts as the blood vessels of the system, delivering all that comfort to where you need it. And it is just as important to keep that part of your HVAC fully functional in order to maintain an optimum environment.

While air ducts do not have as many working parts or complex systems as other facets of HVAC, they can certainly wear out and develop issues of their own that require upkeep.

That includes cleanliness.

You may have heard about air duct cleaning, and while it is a fairly recent development in the HVAC industry, it is by no means something to be ignored. Think about the blood vessel analogy again, if something is clogging those vessels, preventing optimum air flow, or seeding that air with something unpleasant, just like a weak artery or vein in your body, your entire home will suffer as a consequence.

So, why clean your air ducts?

If a duct develops a hole and begins leaking air, you would have it fixed, right? Well, dirty or clogged ducts should be no different.

Like any other part of your home, air ducts are constantly subject to the dust, allergens and other irritants that are either introduced to your home from outside or through other aspects such as smoking or pets (dander). And those pollutants can build up in your ducts. Ducts can also be compromised by home renovations, water damage/leaks or – if a home is uninhabited for a period – be invaded by insects and/or rodents.

All of these unwanted contaminants and potential contaminants can compromise the effectiveness of your air flow, costing you efficiency, as well as making the air in your home or business an irritant to inhale.

Air duct cleaning – especially those conducted by professional HVAC contractors – can cure those problems, however, removing harmful irritants and clearing the way for full air flow.

The Environmental Protection Agency even advises that you should have your air ducts clean in the event of:

• Substantial visible mold growth inside a hard surface (such as the sheet metal in your ducts) or on other components of your heating and cooling system.
• You discover any ducts infested with vermin, e.g. (rodents or insects).
• Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.

There are also other factors to consider when checking the state of your HVAC’s ventilation system.

Are you or anyone in your home or office more susceptible to allergens? Allergy and asthma sufferers can suffer more frequently from the types of poor indoor air quality that air duct cleaning can help address.

Think about all the pollutants, chemicals and particles that we bring into the home and even unwittingly produce ourselves. Even if you keep a “clean” environment, you are still shedding countless skin cells, as well as bringing pollens and other substances into your environment through your clothes. Pets add a whole another level of potential irritants, as well as smoking.

It is estimated that particles such as these are pulled into your HVAC system – and re-circulated – an average of five-seven times per day. And, of course, these substances can also pile up in your ducts. And if you have an allergen or are sensitive to airborne irritants, it might be a good idea to look into air duct cleaning, especially if you are new to a building that has sat empty or been around for some time.

Another reason to consider duct cleaning: energy efficiency.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 25 to 40 percent of the energy used for heating or cooling a home is wasted. One of the reasons this could happen is because of clogged or partially clogged ventilation systems.

When an HVAC system is completely clean and clear, the air moves freely throughout – meaning that your air conditioner or heater do not have to work as hard to move that air through your home/business in order to maintain the temperature you desire. And when your system has to work harder it necessarily utilizes more power in order to do so – this means less efficiency for you and more money in your utility bills.

This does not have to be the case, however, and a professional HVAC contractor can assess your duct situation and give you a fair assessment of whether you are in need of duct cleaning.

That is why Conditioned Air Systems offers duct cleaning services – in order to provide complete and full comfort for each and every one of our customers. For while we may be known for our air conditioner and heater installations, we know that full satisfaction encompasses the entirety of the HVAC system.

Utilizing state-of-the-art Hypervac Revolution equipment, Conditioned Air’s qualified HVAC technicians can clean your home or business’ air duct system to eliminate dirt, dust, and contaminants ensuring the safety and efficiency of your entire HVAC system. Paired with one of our recommended air purifiers, you will experience a significant improvement in the quality of air you breathe every day simply through our air duct cleaning services.

If you are interested in having your home or office duct system inspected and cleaned, please contact us today at 770-536-7509, and our professional contractors will set up a time to ensure your full satisfaction.