The Benefits of Cleaning Your HVAC System

The air ducts in your home may not always be at the forefront of your mind, but they play an especially important role in your home. These ducts circulate the air from your heating and cooling system into – and back out of – each room in your home, which not only controls the temperature, but also the air quality and comfort level. Keeping your HVAC systems clean improves your overall air quality and prevents other damages from occurring in your home.

This circulation takes place throughout your home multiple times per day, making your HVAC system one of the most important pieces of machinery in your home. Just like any other appliance, your HVAC system needs to be properly maintained regularly to keep you home comfortable. This includes changing filters, keeping external units clear of debris and cleaning your HVAC system. You are hopefully familiar with the first two – changing your filter and keeping external units (such as air conditioning systems) free of debris – as you should do these regularly as a homeowner. But what does cleaning your HVAC system mean? 

Benefits Of Cleaning Your HVAC System

Cleaning your HVAC system or having your air ducts cleared out refers to the removal of dust, debris, pests, pollutants and contaminants from your duct work. This includes all systems in your HVAC unit, including the supply and return air ducts, registers and diffusers. This is done by a professional company who uses powerful vacuums to suck out all the debris, which prevents it from spreading to other areas in your home. There are many benefits to having these systems cleaned regularly. 

• Cleaner Environment
  Your air ducts’ job is to circulate air throughout your home. If there is dust and debris in your air ducts, this will also be circulated throughout your living space, landing on your furniture, flooring, bedding and just about anywhere in your home. Cleaning your air ducts reduces the amount of interior cleaning you need to do to keep your home hygienic.

• Reduce Allergens and Irritants
  Since they can spread dust, they can also spread harmful contaminants and micro-organisms, such as pet dander, bacteria, pollen, mold spores and more. People who suffer from allergies, asthma and other respiratory problems can be more sensitive to these airborne pollutants and will have negative reactions when they encounter them in the home. Periodic cleaning of the air ducts can help improve the air quality and result in healthier living.

• Improves Air Flow
  If there is dust and debris blocking your duct work usually results in reduced air flow, restricting the flow from the furnace and air conditioning unit. This means your HVAC system will have to work harder to compensate, which can decrease efficiency levels and increase the strain on your HVAC system. A clean system operates at top-level efficiency, which saves time and money in the long run.

• Removes Odors
  There are many things that cause odors in our home – cleaning products, pets, mold, paint and even food preparation. These odors can contribute to stale smells in the air ducts or throughout the living space. Each time the HVAC system, it freshens the air, removing odors from trapped particles. However, dust and debris in the duct work can trap these pollutants, making it harder for your HVAC system to do its job, resulting in more lingering odors in your home.

• Increases Breathability
  Even if you do not suffer from respiratory difficulties, clean air is simply easier to breath and much healthier. Air duct cleaning creates a more comfortable environment and promotes a healthier lifestyle.

What Happens If You Do Not Clean Your Air Ducts? 

Your air ducts and HVAC system do a lot of work for your home. So what happens if you do not regularly clean your air ducts? 

• Mold Build Up – This is especially common in vents with insulation, where condensation or other water particles can get trapped and build up. Over time, without proper cleaning, the moisture will start to grow mold and mildew. Then, when your duct work distributes air throughout your home, this mold is also spread throughout the living space. Your air conditioning system does play a role in indoor humidity too!
• Clogged Ducts – If there is too much of anything in your ductwork – dust, dander, mold, etc. – your ducts will eventually get clogged. This will reduce the air flow, which reduces the efficiency of your system.  
• Pests – Untreated air ducts can be a breeding ground for household pests, such as cockroaches, crickets or mice. 
• Increased Repair Costs – If your furnace or air conditioning unit are working harder to overcompensate for dust and debris build up, it adds strain to the system, which could cause it to deteriorate faster. This results in additional repair costs down the road. 
• Increased Bills – If your HVAC system is not working correctly, you may find yourself turning up the heat in cool weather or cranking the AC in the summer, trying to get more out of your system. This will result in higher electricity bills. This makes regular maintenance even more cost-effective.

Is it time to have your ductwork cleaned? Contact the team at Airpro Indoor Air Services today for more information or to set up your appointment.