Like many homeowners, you are probably wondering if HVAC duct cleaning really makes a difference. There is a surprising difference of opinion on this subject. As Drexel Hill, PA area HVAC professionals, we feel passionately about the benefits of periodic duct cleaning and want to clear up the confusion.
With hot, humid summers and snowy, cold winters in this region, your HVAC system is probably running year-round. This means that the air is recirculating inside the home along with fresh air being introduced into the system constantly. There are plenty of particulates circulating through your ducts. Cleaning them every three to five years has advantages for you and your home. Here are some of the positive outcomes.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
There is so much floating around in our homes that we can’t necessarily see. A continuously running HVAC system pulls air through the return grill and the fresh air intake vent. That air is conditioned and then directed through the supply ducts to the registers or diffusers so that it can warm or cool the home interior.
With this air circulating throughout the house comes everything else that is in the air. There are many irritants in our indoor environments, especially if the space is carpeted. Yes, carpets and area rugs are perfect habitats for all sorts of matter. These particles and allergens include both inorganic and organic particulates, such as:
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Dirt and dust
- Pet hair and dander
- Pollen
- Moisture
- Dust mites
- Bacteria
- Mold and mildew
These compounds can build up inside your ducts. This debris can be a cause of allergies and respiratory infections when it is circulating through the air. Having your ducts periodically cleaned by our service technicians can remove these pollutants and greatly improve your indoor air quality and your health. We also recommend changing HVAC filters every year or seasonally with scheduled HVAC maintenance.
Better Energy Efficiency and Lower Utility Bills
Ducts that are blocked or narrowed from the build up of dust, pet hair, moisture, and other matter can restrict air flow, placing a strain on your HVAC system. When the air handler is forced to work harder, you might see a rise in utility costs. With periodic cleaning, we believe the heating and cooling system will run more efficiently. Unrestricted ducts can supply conditioned air more quickly with less effort so that the thermostats can respond in a timely manner. With better efficiency, you could see a decrease of as much as 50% in monthly utility bills. This scenario is a positive outcome for both you and the environment.
Prolongs the Life of HVAC Units
With clean ducts, not only does the HVAC system run more efficiently, but it also helps to prolong the life of your heating and AC units. Ducts that are clogged force the equipment to run for longer periods of time struggling to warm or cool indoor air. This push to work harder causes wear and even damage to the motor or compressor, which can result in HVAC system failure. This will generally happen during the peak warming and cooling seasons leaving you and your family without heat or AC until our emergency service team can make the needed repairs or even replacements. Duct cleaning is a preventative measure to extend the life of your HVAC equipment.
Fire Safety
While HVAC ducts need cleaning, so do dryer ducts. One of the leading causes of house fires is lint buildup in dryer vents. While you are considering the benefits of HVAC duct cleaning, it makes sense to also have your dryer duct professionally cleaned as a safety measure.
Reach Out to the Professionals
At O'Brien Heating & Air Conditioning, we want you to be comfortable all year round in the Drexel Hill area. We also want you and your family to be healthy and safe. Air duct cleaning can provide that comfort and health by improving indoor air quality, ensuring your system runs efficiently, and prolonging the life of your HVAC equipment. We have been providing professional HVAC services, including heat pump repair and installation along with water heater services, to the community for 60 years. We will inspect the ducts and give them a thorough cleaning if we find that it is necessary. If you suspect that your ducts are causing issues, give us a call.
