There are many reasons to make sure commercial and residential A/C and heating ducts are cleaned and kept in excellent condition. Not only can clean ducts make rooms feel fresher and more comfortable, but duct cleaning can also help heating and cooling equipment run more efficiently.
Here is a breakdown on why it is necessary to have ductwork routinely inspected and cleaned by a trusted, professional AC contractor.
Hidden Troubles
Since the majority of ductwork is concealed inside building walls, problems can develop that are not particularly obvious at first. For example, a home or workplace can start to smell stale or moldy even after cleaning. This can indicate there is a buildup of dirt, dust, pollen, germs, plant spores, dust mites, bacteria, animal dander, smoke residue and even mold hiding in the ducts. Such problems can lead to poor air quality and even contribute to breathing problems and allergies.
Regular duct cleaning can also reveal other problems, such as leaky ductwork. Cracks and holes found in leaky ductwork allows cool air to escape into attics and crawl spaces and permits dust and grime from those areas to circulate into living spaces.
Obvious Problems
Some duct problems are more visible than others. For example, ducts should be cleaned when the A/C blasts a cloud of dust particles when it is first turned on. Another possibly obvious problem is when ductwork becomes the homefront for insects and rodents. Allowing these creatures to live and die in ducts is not a good idea at all, since they can harm equipment and human health.
Improve Efficiency
Dirt and grime found in air conditioning and heating equipment systems can make the equipment work harder than needed and ultimately shorten equipment life. According to the NADCA, contaminants that are pulled into the HVAC system are circulated approximately 5 to 7 times daily. This can eventually cause contaminants to clog the ducts. When they are routinely cleaned, less energy is used to maintain the temperature, which can save on energy bills and extend equipment life.
Professional Help
It’s a good idea to remove dust and debris when it is clogged in an HVAC system, not only to improve the quality of the indoor air, but to also improve the efficiency of the equipment and system. Whether homeowners or business owners are concerned about possible hidden problems, or whether the ductwork problems are evident, calling a professional A/C contractor is wise since they are experts at diagnosing and fixing the problems.
