Are you noticing a musty smell lingering in your home?
Are your allergies acting up even though it’s not allergy season?
Are you noticing an increase in dust, even though you clean the surfaces regularly?
The culprit could be your ductwork…
Air ducts are crucial in maintaining a comfortable and healthy living space. These systems, often hidden behind walls and ceilings, circulate the air you breathe, but over time, they can accumulate dust, debris, and other contaminants that can negatively impact the air quality in your home or office – reducing the airflow and making it harder to breathe and potentially driving up your energy bills.
So, to improve environmental quality, people should be aware of the standard cleaning methods set by National Air Duct Cleaning Association.
This article will dive into the process – how air duct cleaning works and explore the benefits of regular air duct cleaning, from improved air quality to lower energy bills.
What is Air Duct Cleaning?
Air duct cleaning is the process of removing debris, dust, and other contaminants from the air ducts that run throughout your home or office.
This is typically done with specialized equipment designed to reach deep into the ducts and remove the buildup of contaminants. This includes:
- Inspection Tools: Camera, Periscope, CCTV camera with flexible cables, etc.
- Cleaning Tools: Brushes, Vacuum, agitation devices, etc.
Process of Air Duct Cleaning
Are you wondering how does air duct cleaning work? Let’s explore it in 2 steps.
Step #1: Inspection of Ducts
The first step in air duct cleaning is to inspect the ducts. This step is crucial as it helps to determine the extent of the contamination and identify any areas that may be blocked or restricted.
During the inspection, the technician will take photographs of the ducts and measure the airflow to identify any problem areas. This information is then used to create a cleaning plan tailored to your ducts’ needs.
Step #2: Cleaning Process
Once the inspection is complete, the cleaning process can begin.
- Negative Pressure Vacuum
The primary tool used in air duct cleaning is a negative-pressure vacuum – a large-mounted portable vacuum device. This specialized vacuum is designed to reach deep into the ducts and remove the buildup of contaminants.
- First, the technician will make a small hole in the duct on both the supply and return sides as the cleaning process will be done on both sides.
- The vacuum is inserted into the ducts through access ports and then sealed with an adhesive cover.
- After that, the vacuum unit is turned on with high negative pressure that moves through the ducts to remove the contaminants.
This process is known as source removal, the most recommended method by NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association) for cleaning air ducts.
- Agitation of Dust
In addition to vacuuming, air duct cleaning may involve using specialized brushes. These brushes are used to agitate the dust and debris inside the air ducts, helping to loosen the contaminants and make them easier to remove.
This process, known as agitation, is commonly used with source removal to ensure that the air ducts are thoroughly cleaned.
- HVAC System Cleaning
Another important aspect of air duct cleaning is cleaning the HVAC system.
This may include:
- Furnace
- Evaporator coil
- Air blower motor
- Drain pan
These systems can also accumulate dust, debris, and other contaminants over time, negatively impacting air quality.
During the cleaning process, the technician will clean these systems to ensure they are free of debris and dust. This will also prolong the life of your HVAC system and furnace.
Clean Ducts, Clean Air, Breathe Easy!
Air duct cleaning effectively removes contaminants from the air ducts in your home or office.
- One of the key benefits of air duct cleaning is that it can improve the air quality in your home or office. This is especially important for people with allergies or breathing problems, as it can help to reduce the number of allergens and pollutants in the air.
- Additionally, air duct cleaning can help improve your HVAC system’s efficiency, as it removes the buildup of debris and dust that can restrict airflow. This can result in lower energy bills and a longer lifespan for your HVAC system.
- Another benefit of air duct cleaning is that it can help to eliminate unpleasant odors in your home or office. Over time, the air ducts can accumulate dust, debris, and other contaminants that can create unpleasant odors.
It is recommended to hire a professional air duct cleaner. Choose a company that is certified by NADCA and ask for references.
Don’t let dirty ducts bring the environment down; call a professional duct cleaning service today and breathe easy again.