Air ducts are a vital component of your heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system. Consisting of hollow tubes, they are used to transport the conditioned air into living spaces. Your HVAC system will warm or cool the air, after which it will transport the conditioned air into the ducts where it’s distributed throughout your home.
Unbeknownst to many homeowners, however, air ducts can get very dirty. Dust, dirt and debris can settle inside these hollow tubes where it builds up over time Rather than turning a blind eye to dirty air ducts, you should get them cleaned. A professional air duct cleaning service is a smart investment for several reasons.
Heating and Cooling Performance
Clean air ducts will improve your HVAC system’s performance. Whether you’re using the air conditioner or furnace, your HVAC system’s performance is dependent upon airflow. After the air has been warmed or cooled, it will enter the ducts.
Dirty ducts will restrict the conditioned air from reaching your home’s living spaces, thus degrading your HVAC system’s performance. For improved heating and cooling performance, you need to maintain clean air ducts.
Energy Efficiency
Getting your air ducts cleaned can make your HVAC system more efficient. Your HVAC system will consume less energy to warm or cool your home if the air ducts are clean. The conditioned air will be able to flow out the supply vents more easily, and the unconditioned air will be able to travel through the return vents more easily. With proper airflow, your HVAC system will become more efficient.
Health
Another reason to consider an air duct cleaning service is to protect against health problems. HVAC systems are designed to remove pollutants from the air by passing it through a filter. If the pollutants remain trapped inside of the air ducts, they won’t reach the filter. Instead, they’ll gradually be dispelled out the vents and into your home’s living spaces. Exposure to these pollutants may cause allergies or other respiratory ailments, which is why it’s important to maintain clean air ducts.
Prevents Damage
You can protect your HVAC system’s components from wear and tear by getting the air ducts cleaned. Dirty air ducts will force your HVAC system to work harder in an effort to warm or cool your home. Over time, this additional strain may cause certain components to fail. Blower motors, for instance, can fail from lack of airflow. Compressors can also damage if they don’t receive a sufficient amount of air.