Ductwork plays an important role in a central HVAC system by facilitating air movement around the house. Dirty ductwork can create several different problems. In this article, we’ll explain these problems and show you what benefits you can gain by cleaning your ducts.
Better Indoor Air Quality
Dust and other allergens are naturally occurring substances that can collect inside a home’s air ducts. When the fan blows from your HVAC system, it then spreads some of these allergens throughout every room in the house. This affects air quality, creating issues for people with asthma, allergies, COPD and other respiratory concerns.
Dirty ductwork can be a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, rodents, cockroaches and other pests. This, in turn, adds animal waste, fur and other substances to the ductwork and into your air.
Having your ducts cleaned at least once every few years can substantially improve indoor air quality. Not only does it get rid of all of the allergens that your HVAC system would normally spread, but it also greatly decreases the chances of pests nesting and breeding inside your air ducts.
Improved Comfort and HVAC Performance
Dirty ductwork can hamper the performance of your HVAC system. Static pressure is the term HVAC professionals use to refer to the amount of airflow resistance in a ductwork system. The static pressure in the air ducts needs to be fairly low for an HVAC system to perform as effectively as it was designed. That way, air can flow smoothly through the ducts to each room, and the system can cool or heat efficiently. High static pressure means that the air encounters more resistance, making it more difficult for the HVAC system to circulate air into each room.
The issue with dirty ductwork is that the piles of dust and debris act as barriers that create additional airflow resistance and increase static pressure. The result is that the HVAC system can’t circulate air as smoothly and effectively, which leads to an overall decrease in cooling and heating performance.
What most commonly happens when the static pressure is too high is that the rooms toward the ends of each branch duct receive little airflow and often end up being too hot in the summer and too cool in the winter. While dirty ductwork is far from the only cause of high static pressure, the static pressure will always be lower when the ducts are clean.
Another issue that often happens with dirty ductwork is that the covers or grilles on supply vents can get clogged with dust and debris. This is also a concern in terms of comfort as it results in little to no air being able to flow out of the vent and that room never receiving sufficient cooling or heating.
Reduced Cooling and Heating Costs
HVAC performance can also have a direct impact on your finances. If an HVAC system isn’t performing as effectively as it’s meant to, it will take longer for it to cool and heat the home. The longer each cooling or heating cycle is, the more energy the system will use. This, in turn, leads to larger utility bills each month.
Reduced Repairs and Longer HVAC Life Span
High static pressure puts added strain on an HVAC system and leads to an increase in wear and tear. When an HVAC system isn’t performing at its peak and has to run more, it usually results in certain components wearing out faster and needing to be replaced sooner than they normally would.
High static pressure is especially an issue for the HVAC blower or fan as it then has to work harder to move air through the ducts. In some cases, the blower can have to work so hard that its motor overheats, which can result in damage or even cause the motor to burn out.
By keeping your ducts clean, you can lessen the strain on your HVAC system and reduce the chances of it needing to be repaired. The reduced strain and decrease in wear and tear also help protect the life of the HVAC system, potentially allowing you to get more years out of it before you need to have it replaced.
Signs You Should Have Your Ducts Cleaned
Most HVAC experts recommend hiring a professional to clean the ducts in your home every two to five years. Some homes may even be able to go for eight to 10 years between duct cleanings without noticing much of an issue. How often duct cleaning may be necessary depends on factors like how dry and dusty the climate is where you live, the age and condition of the ductwork and whether anyone in the house has asthma, allergies or other respiratory issues.
There are certain situations where duct cleaning is generally recommended. If you’ve recently had a pest infestation, it’s highly likely that there are nesting materials, urine, feces and possibly even dead pests inside your ducts. This can be a serious health concern.
If there’s evidence that mold is growing inside any of your ducts, you will also need a cleaning. Mold growth inside ductwork is rare, but it can occur if you have condensation in a duct.
It’s also often a good idea to have your ducts cleaned after completing any renovations or remodeling. Contractors usually make sure to cover and seal the vents to prevent construction dust and debris from getting into the air ducts. Even if they do cover the vents, you can still end up with some dust and debris inside your ducts.
There are also some signs that can help you know that your ducts are overly dirty. Your vent covers may clog with visible dust. The air filter in your HVAC system may need to be replaced very frequently. Musty odors or an excessive amount of dust coming out of your supply vents are also good indications that you should schedule a duct cleaning service. Duct repair is also important if there’s damage, since more air will escape and pollutants can enter your home.
Find Ductwork Issues Early
Ductwork cleaning is also a good time to look for other issues. Vents can lose their seal, come apart or corrode. Insulation can detach and reduce the ability of the ducts to conserve temperatures. While ductwork repair is not included in a cleaning service, cleaners may be able to spot these issues and let you know that you need to schedule additional work. Airtight, insulated ductwork can save you a lot of money when you are trying to heat or cool rooms at the far end of your system’s route.
Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical is the company to trust for premier home comfort and indoor air quality services. We’ve been serving Glendale and the Valley of the Sun for nearly 50 years, and we offer a range of services and solutions for improving your home’s air quality and ensuring you have effective cooling and heating.
For more information or to schedule a service appointment, contact us today.
