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It’s easy to ignore your HVAC system while it’s working. However, regular maintenance is a crucial part of caring for your system for many reasons. If you haven’t had your ducts cleaned, or you aren’t sure if it’s necessary, check out these commonly asked questions.
Why Should You Have Your Ducts Cleaned?
There are two main reasons to have your ducts cleaned. First, it helps the system run better by keeping the ducts clean. Debris in the duct forces the system to work harder, which puts unwanted stress and strain, making it wear down faster. Too much debris can also cause the system to be less effective at heating and cooling.
Second, it improves indoor air quality by removing allergens and irritants. Even if you don’t have a breathing condition like asthma, pollutants can get in the lung and cause bronchial or sinus congestion. As an added benefit, a good cleaning helps eliminate unpleasant odors.
What Happens During the Cleaning Process?
During the duct cleaning, you can expect the technicians to clean the supply/return ducts, grills, blower motor, heat exchanger, evaporator coil, drain, and much more. Special tools and filters are used to remove all the debris inside the duct. They will also clean mold, but the cause of the mold growth must also be addressed.
During the cleaning process, your technician will also look for signs of pest infestation like droppings, dead bugs, etc. Depending on the severity, you may also need to contact a pest control expert to help prevent the problem in the future. Finally, after the debris is removed, the entire system is sanitized to kill any viruses or bacteria that may be clinging to the duct walls.
Should You Try to Clean Your Ducts Yourself?
Cleaning your ducts yourself is a mistake for several reasons. For starters, you probably don’t have the appropriate tools to safely remove the debris. As a result, there is a high probability of sending all that debris into your indoor air. Not only can this cause itchy eyes, sneezing, lung congestion, and much more, but it can also expel unwanted viruses and bacteria into your indoor air.
Another reason to avoid DIY duct cleaning is the damage you may cause. Improper cleaning techniques and tools could scratch, dent, or pierce the ductwork. Damage reduces the efficiency of the ductwork because it allows heated and cooled air to leak out of the ducts before it reaches the desired vents. Therefore, even if you set your thermostat to 70 degrees, the house may feel cooler or warmer.
How Much Does Duct Cleaning Cost?
Depending on the size of your home, duct cleaning could cost between $268 and $485 or more. How often you clean your ducts depends on many factors, including pets and allergies. On average, however, you can expect to wait five to seven years between duct cleanings. Other factors that affect the price include the amount of dirt, accessibility, and necessary repairs.
During duct cleaning, you should have the vents cleaned too. This also adds to the overall cost, but each vent only adds about $35 to the total cost. Overall, however, duct cleaning may save you money because it keeps the system well maintained, efficient, and effective.
Maintaining your HVAC system is the best way to keep it efficient and effective for a long time. DIY cleaning, however, can be dangerous and lead to expensive damage. Regular professional cleaning, however, keeps your system in top shape, and it helps improve the quality of indoor air. If you would like to learn more, or if you need a quote for a duct cleaning, contact us at Edelman.