A professional, thorough air duct cleaning is a great investment for your home. A duct cleaning can improve your Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), reduce your energy bills, and more. In order to make these benefits last even longer, there are preventative measures you can take as a homeowner to ensure you are protecting your investment. Below are some helpful tips from Air Duct Cleaning Experts of Chandler to help you maintain your HVAC system in between cleanings:
Change Your Air Filter
First, make sure you have a high-quality, efficient air filter for your HVAC system (ask us if you need a recommendation!). Even with a dependable air filter, you still need to change your air filter on a regular basis, normally around once every two months. If you notice the air filter becomes clogged quicker than this, reduce time between changing the filter.
You may also have the option to clean the filter yourself, instead of replacing it. First, make sure the manufacturer has designated the air filter as washable. In this case, you can wash your filter with water and mild soap. If you suspect there is an abnormal amount of dirt in your filter, call Aire Duct Cleaning Experts of Chandler to see if you need an air duct cleaning.
Control Moisture in Your Air Ducts
If there’s one thing you don’t want in your air ducts, it’s moisture. Moisture in your air ducts can lead to a fertile breeding ground for mold and mildew. Mold can cause dangerous health risks and allergy symptoms, affecting your household occupants.
You should perform regular checks on your ductwork to make sure your air ducts are free from any water damage, including leaks. A component of your system designed to remove moisture from your indoor air, the cooling coil, can cause moisture contamination of it is not draining properly. If this is an issue, you will see standing water near the cooling coil or wet spots on the surrounding insulation. Finally, ducts must be properly sealed and insulated to guard against potential moisture in your home’s indoor air. Look for any unsealed crevices on your ductwork or any wet spots on your ducts’ insulation.
Seal Ducts During Renovations
Are you planning on a big home project like a kitchen renovation? Before you start, make sure your air ducts are tightly sealed. These types of projects tend to kick up all kinds of debris in your home such as sawdust, drywall dust, and even everyday dust in your home. This detritus floating through your air can easily end up in your ductwork. When dirt and dust get in your supply vents, your HVAC system will shuffle it through to other parts of your home through the return vents. The fallout from your bathroom renovation could end up in your dining room. Yuck!
To avoid circulating dirt through your air, you’ll want to block your supply and return vents before you break ground on your next home project. As an added precaution, make sure you thoroughly clean up the area around your project before you run your heating or cooling system.
Time for an Air Duct Cleaning?
We hope you learned how to better maintain your air ducts between cleanings. When it does time for your regular air duct cleaning, call Air Duct Cleaning Experts of Chandler to schedule your service! Reach us at (480) 561-6345. Talk to you soon!
Sources:
https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2006/05/Ten-Questions-about-Duct-Cleaning.aspx?Page=4
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a17628/heloise-spring-cleaning-furnace/
