Your ductwork is like your home’s lungs, carrying climate-controlled air throughout the space. But it also collects dust, dirt, dander, mildew and other contaminants.
All of these contaminants are re-circulated several times a day and can cause respiratory problems for the family. These issues can be avoided with regular duct cleaning services.
Air Duct Inspection
Many homeowners do not realize how dirty their ducts can be until they notice a rise in their power bills or poor indoor air quality. Air ducts can become clogged and damaged over time, which affects the performance of your heating and cooling system as well as your home’s overall energy efficiency. This is why it’s important to have your ductwork inspected and, if needed, cleaned on a regular basis.
A professional inspector will be able to assess the condition of your ductwork, determine whether or not cleaning is required and, if it is, provide you with an estimate for the services that need to be performed. They will also be able to identify potential problems such as leaks, blockages and mold growth, which can all affect the function and performance of your furnace and air conditioner.
Ideally, your ducts should be inspected once every five to 10 years, depending on the number of people living in your home and the presence of pets. Keeping your ducts clean can greatly improve your home’s energy efficiency, help you breathe easier and even reduce allergens and toxins in the air, such as bacteria, viruses and mold spores.
When it comes to inspection, a professional will use special tools to open up the vents at more spots than just the registers and will be able to check for hidden problems like leaks, clogs and damage. They will also be able to find areas that may need to be sealed or repaired such as broken or disconnected duct seams, mold and wet insulation which can cause a loss in R-Value.
If you’d prefer to do your own inspection, you should have the following tools available:
Duct Cleaning
Every time your furnace or air conditioner runs, it pulls air through the ductwork. That air is then recirculated throughout your home – pulling in contaminants like pet dander, dust, skin cells and mold. Over time, this gunk can build up inside your ductwork and cause respiratory problems, increase energy costs and decrease indoor air quality. Air duct cleaning removes this gunk from your ductwork, leaving you with clean, healthy air.
Many air duct cleaning services include a thorough vacuuming and disinfection of your ductwork. Some companies even offer chemical treatments that can help neutralize odors and kill mold, bacteria and other microbes. However, it is important to remember that these treatments should only be used by a qualified technician and should never be combined with mechanical cleaning.
Before the cleaning begins, make sure your HVAC equipment is turned off and that you can access all of the vents in your home. You’ll also want to clear a path for the cleaning technician, and that means removing any furniture or other obstructions. Your duct cleaner will need to be able to reach your air handler and the plenums, which are usually located in the attic or in a utility closet.
You should also take this opportunity to replace your air filter. Changing your air filters frequently is the best way to keep dust, allergens and other pollutants from blowing into your living space. Depending on your lifestyle, you should change them monthly or every two to three months.
Duct Repair
The air in your home flows through ducts. These are passages that connect your HVAC system with the rooms in your home, filtering and circulating air. If the ducts become infested with pests, clogged with dirt and dust or compromised by holes, they are a major source of problems that require professional attention.
Among the many problems caused by faulty ducts, inefficient operation is the most obvious, raising your energy bills and wasting precious natural resources. In addition, your cooling and heating systems are forced to work harder than necessary to get the job done, which can cause premature wear and tear on equipment.
Another common problem is uneven temperature distribution. The reason this happens is because a faulty ductwork allows air to escape, which can cause the rooms in your home to become cooler or warmer than others. A pro can check the ducts for holes or disconnection and perform an upgrade to ensure conditioned air reaches all corners of your home.
You’ll pay an average of $200 to $500 to have a professional repair a clogged duct, depending on the type of ductwork, how accessible it is and what the pro needs to do to remove the clog. For example, you may need to replace a piece of insulation or the duct itself. A pro will either remove vents and look inside or use a specialized camera to locate the problem, and then make a plan for fixing it.
If your ducts contain asbestos, you’ll pay extra to have them tested and abated by a professional. This can be a tricky process and requires a certain level of experience. However, if you notice signs of asbestos like sagging or crumbling ducts, it’s important to address the issue right away.
The most costly of all ductwork repairs is to repair leaks or holes in your ducts. These can occur from damage, impact or ageing. Holes are a big problem because they let air escape, increasing your utility bill. In addition, they can back draft dangerous combustible gases like carbon monoxide into your home.
Duct Replacement
Depending on the type of ductwork in your house, the location, and home size, a duct replacement can be very expensive. Labor costs and the cost of materials will all factor into the total project cost. It is best to leave a major duct replacement project like this to trained professionals.
If you are unsure whether a duct repair or replacement is the right solution for your home, it can be helpful to get some advice from an experienced technician. A good technician can help you figure out which duct repairs are the most cost-effective and efficient. They can also provide you with some information about the benefits of upgrading your ductwork.
A new duct system is designed to efficiently transport conditioned air throughout your home. This air can be either hot or cold, depending on your preference. A properly installed duct system will allow your home to maintain a consistent temperature without overworking the HVAC system. A well-installed duct system will also prevent the distribution of unconditioned air.
Leaks, kinks, or poorly sealed joints can allow for the transmission of dust, lint, and other impurities throughout your home. This can cause irritation to your lungs and other respiratory systems. In addition, these impurities can aggravate asthma and allergies in many homeowners. Replacing your old, worn-out ducts will reduce the spread of impurities in your home and promote healthy indoor air quality.
Having a single room that is much warmer or cooler than other rooms can indicate a problem with your ducts. This can be caused by a loose connection at the main duct junction, blockage of the vents by a sofa or other furniture, or by unbalanced airflow and/or under/over-sized ducting.
Lastly, pests and rodents can enter your ductwork through holes and leaks. These pests can spread bacteria, viruses, and fungi throughout your living space and cause health problems for your family members. Replacing your ducts with proper insulation and seals will make it harder for pests to invade your home.
