The Importance of Regular Air Duct Cleaning

With summer in full swing, you’re probably running that air conditioning unit in your home nonstop to keep cool and comfortable. However, what else is being pushed through your home along with that cold air? If you can’t remember the last time you had your air ducts cleaned, there’s likely a lot of airborne debris, like dust, pet dander, pollen, bacteria, and mold, being pushed around along with it. That’s why air duct cleaning is so important.

As one of New Jersey’s leading heating and cooling companies, Air Temp Service Co. has helped hundreds improve the air quality in their home by either installing a ductless air system or offering important duct cleaning insight. Here, we wanted to illustrate the importance of duct cleaning for those with central air conditioning systems.

What Seasonal Debris Builds Up in My Air Ducts?

 Each season, there are a host of things that you can track inside your home with you that wind up in your air ducts. Of course, this also depends on the area in which you live (drier climates won’t be as susceptible to mold or mildew as more humid ones) but there are some common things to look out for each season.

• Summer:

  This is when allergy season is at full peak, so those who suffer from allergies or other respiratory ailments will likely find it more difficult to breathe in a home with dirty vents and ductwork. Also, due to the increased moisture and humidity, mold growth is another common culprit.

• Fall:

  As the leaves begin to fall and pile up on the ground and moisture levels increase, so too do mold and fungus spores, feeding off those wet piles of leaves. It’s easy to track these inside your home during fall and have them spread.

• Winter:

  The colder months are all about dust mites, and for those with pets, the animal dander that collects. This is because since it’s winter, you won’t be going out as much and there will be less ventilation, as you keep the doors and windows closed while the heat’s running.

• Spring:

  During this season, all of the trees, grasses, and weeds that cause allergies are waking up, meaning they’ll also be releasing loads of pollen that can be easily tracked into your home or seep in when the doors and windows are open.

How Do I Combat these Seasonal Issues?

 One of the easiest ways to combat these seasonal issues is to clean your HVAC system’s air ducts. In fact, it’s the only way to be sure these airborne pollutants have been successfully removed from your home. You might be thinking, what’s a little bit of dust and pollen, but these things quickly build into larger issues, causing clogs, reduced airflow from vents and outlets, and drastically reduced AC efficiency.

Additionally, when all of these things mentioned above have been allowed to gather in your air duct system, mold and mildew growth is always the next step. Unfortunately, if not dealt with immediately, mold and mildew can quickly lead to serious issues and even structural problems in your home.

What Are the Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning?

 In addition to some of the benefits mentioned above, air duct cleaning:

• Helps keep your AC unit efficient and extends its lifespan.
• Boosts indoor air quality.
• Eliminates airborne bacteria, allergens, and other harmful particles in the home.
• Helps you breathe easier, which is especially important for those who suffer from allergies or other respiratory ailments.

What Does Air Duct Cleaning Involve?

 If you’ve never had your home’s air ducts cleaned, you’re probably wondering what the process involves. First, your air duct cleaning technicians will inspect your HVAC and duct system, then seal all of the vents and other places where air can escape from your duct system. This is to minimize the chance that contaminants from your vents will escape into the air during the cleaning process.

After sealing all air entryways, air duct cleaning crews will next fit a metal cap over your furnace equipment, protecting it while your ducts are being cleared. Doing this ensures its blower wheel, coils, and electrical components remain undamaged.

Lastly, air duct technicians employ a long, flexible hose and air compressor designed to push the dirt and debris gathered in your ducts out of your home, sucking up debris with a specialized vacuum as they work from floor to floor. Often, air duct cleaning will cover more than simply your ductwork and also includes:

• Replacing your HVAC filter.
• Cleaning your vents and diffusers.
• Cleaning your supply and return air ducts and registers.
• Cleaning your furnace heat exchanger.
• Cleaning your HVAC blower motor and housing.
• Cleaning your evaporator coil, drain, and drain pan.

How Do I Determine When it’s Time for Duct Cleaning?

 Some clear signs it’s time for an air duct cleaning include:

• Visible mold or mildew in your home or vent system.
• More dust on the surfaces of your home than usual.
• Occupants are experiencing allergy symptoms, like dry eyes, sore throat, coughing, sneezing, etc. while being indoors.
• A musty odor.
• You suspect there may be pests making their home in your ductwork.
• You are exhibiting signs of mold exposure.

All of these things are signs you’re in need of air duct cleaning immediately.

Contact us for ductless air systems and more!

 For those who want to do away with ducts entirely or in various rooms of their home, Air Temp Service Co. stocks some of today’s leading ductless air systems. We also specialize in air conditioning repair, heating solutions, and more, so contact us online today or call 1 (800) 969-1232.