Air ducts are used in the home for distributing the air heated by furnaces or cooled by air conditioners to the entire house. These ducts tend to be made of metal and run along the floor joists which means that you can only see them when you are in the basement. Over time, these ducts collect dust and debris inside of them and as time goes on, the dust gets blown back into the air that you are breathing and living in. Just like chimneys, air ducts need a good cleaning every once in a while.
Cleaning your ducts will give you cleaner air which means better indoor air quality and it helps to get rid of molds, dust and allergens that tend to build up. Cleaner air helps to keep people from developing allergies to dust and pollen and it also helps to make it easier for asthmatics to breathe. Another advantage to cleaning your ducts is that it keeps the dust down in the house so that you don't need to dust nearly as often. Duct cleaning on a regular basis will also reduce energy costs and result in more airflow in the furnace system which means that you will get a better delivery of warm air. So now that we have determined why you need to clean your ducts, the only question is do you dare to clean them yourself or do you want to take the easy way out and get the professionals to do it for you?
There is one main advantage of cleaning your air ducts yourself which is that you save a whole lot of money that you would have spent on hiring a professional. If you do decide to clean them yourself, you want to make sure that you vacuum the vents as far as you can reach inside of them. Wipe the vent walls with a damp cloth and try and get as much dust and debris out of them as possible. Once you're done vacuuming and cleaning, make sure that you put the vents back on properly and secure them tightly so that nothing falls down them. Cleaning them yourself is much cheaper but there are some disadvantages as well.
As much fun as it is to get dirty and use your vacuum to clean your vents, they will never be as clean as if you were to get a professional to do them. Professionals have all the right equipment including longer hoses and disinfectants that they ensure goes through the entire duct system to eliminate mold, bacteria and dust mites. Another advantage to having a professional clean your vents is that they are able to do it quickly and easily and will be out of your house in no time.
So if you are able to financially, the best thing to do is to get your ducts cleaned professionally once a year at the beginning of the heating season and then do it yourself as maintenance ever two or three months until the next year when you get them in to clean them again. This way, you are able to rest easy knowing that it is done properly at least once in awhile and still be able to save money doing it yourself the rest of the times.
Air duct cleaning is an important part of home maintenance. A dirty air duct can lower the quality of the air in your house by promoting the circulation of allergens and bacteria in the air. There is no scientific evidence that actually proves that cleaning the ducts will improve your health, but it is a good practice. The indoor air is just as important as the outdoor air. One way to keep the air inside your home free from unnecessary pollutants is to keep the ducts of your heating and cooling systems clean.
What parts of your air ducts should be cleaned? The blowers, fiber glass, metal ducts, air vents, access doors, drain pans and coils should all be cleaned. There should be no stains, mold, dust, insects or any particles left over. After you have a professional clean the ducts, you should give it a test run to make sure that the system is still working properly.
When do you need to have duct cleaning? There are several signs that indicate the need for a thorough air duct cleaning. Here are some of the major points that indicate the need for an air duct cleaning.
1.The growth of mold inside the ducts or on the surface of the cooling or heating system. (mold growth can only accurately be determined by professionals) 2.The infestation of insects or any small unwanted pests in the ducts. 3.If they are clogged with a great deal of dust or other debris.
It is important to have a professional take a look at your systems occasionally to make sure everything is clean and working well. Certainly if the above problems are prevalent, it is definitely time to go ahead and schedule a cleaning. Make sure the professionals you hire to clean them are licensed. If they claim that there is mold, have them show it to you and figure out a way to prevent the mold from growing again.
Depending on the amount of cleaning that needs to be done and the type of system that needs to be cleaned, the price for a professional cleaning can start at a few hundred dollars and rise up to a couple thousand dollars.
One way so save the expense of getting a professional air duct cleaning is good maintenance. There are several things you can do to keep your air ducts as clean as possible. Dust and vacuum the house often. Change the filters of the heating or cooling system on a regular basis. You should also keep the ducts nice and dry.
Amy Nutt has sinced written about articles on various topics from Culture and Society, Recreation and Sports and Women. Heat Seal Equipment is a company providing. Amy Nutt's top article generates over 368000 views. to your Favourites.