Our everyday comfort often relies on the durability and functionality of a vast network of ducts that run in the walls, in the ceiling, and even below us through the floor. The vents you see in your home or office are the exits of ducts that bring cool air from an air conditioning system, or warm air from a heating system. In order to function properly, these ducts need to be clean and free of any obstructions. But dust particles and pollen are floating through the air, and through the atmosphere just outside your home or office. Lint, dirt, dander, and pollen ultimately find their way into the ducts. They build up to form formidable obstructions. These blockages make the passageway smaller, and therefore constrict the amount of air that can freely flow through the system. There is a number of negative consequences resulting from this problem.
When the ducts are blocked, the system has to try harder to push the same amount of air through. This means that it is actually expending more energy to do less. A parallel in the medical world would be a clogged artery: a tube conveying liquid—in the case of ducts, it’s gas—is obstructed, often with dire effects. The results here are a larger energy bill because of clogged filters and longer run times, a possibly unpleasant work or living environment, and the additional hurt of miserly employees.
Obstructed duct systems can contribute to what’s called “sick building syndrome.” The cold air in the ducts can cause the built-up debris to become moist. If the wet debris sits unattended for extended periods of time, mold will begin to grow inside the duct system. Consequently, the mold produces spores that flow with the air through the duct, and the air brings those allergens out into your environment. “Sick building syndrome” exacerbates the allergies of inhabitants or employees. And for those who do not suffer particularly from allergies, the air from these ducts is still unhealthy, because it contains dust, lint, dander, and mold.
There are two ways to clean ducts that suffer from obstructed passageways. Either a brush or a vacuum is used—but these are not ordinary brushes or vacuums, and they take a professional to operate. Whether a brush or vacuum is used depends on the size of the duct.
For smaller ducts in which a person could not entirely fit, a professional uses a special brush. These are circular for circular ducts, and more rectangular for square or rectangular ducts. The brush is attached to a long, flexible rod, much like the tool a plumber uses to unclog a drain. Then the professional typically uses a vacuum to collect the loosened debris.
For larger ducts, big enough to fit an entire person, a professional actually climbs into the duct. He or she uses a vacuum—often with a sweeping attachment—to clean up the debris and reopen the passageway. This professional travels the length of the problematic section of the duct vacuuming foreign materials. This method is sure to restore your heating or cooling system to optimal performance levels. You’ll no longer pay for your system to be malfunctioning. All of a building’s systems need periodic attention and clean-up. Your duct system is no exception.
Business owners, building owners, and homeowners: You may want to consider periodic duct-cleaning. Especially if you own or operate older buildings with older duct systems.
A key element to the duct-cleaning process is planning ahead. Even if you’re unsure whether your duct system suffers from an obstruction, it is wise, prudent, and fiscally responsible to hire a professional to clean out your system. And if no cleaning is needed, the professional may offer valuable consultation in terms of how often you should consider cleaning your ducts. This practice is as much preventative as it is responsive. When you have an obstructed duct system, you want to clean it up. But you also want to avoid that obstruction in the first place. Additionally, be sure to sufficiently research the cleaning service provider you choose. The EPA warns that even a professional may fail to properly follow duct-cleaning procedures. This could actually cause indoor air problems. If not handled correctly, a vacuum could release more dirt and debris than it cleans up. Or a service provider could accidentally damage your duct system, which would increase your service costs.
Clear duct systems provide better air quality, a precaution against fire hazards, and are very cost-efficient because it takes less money to run a clean system than to run a dirty one. But you must be sure of your service provider.
Be proactive, avoid health hazards, and especially benefit your finances. Clean those ducts! And remember to make sure you change your filters on a regular basis, too.
Atlanta Heating and Air Conditioning Services | Boston Heating and Air Conditioning Services | Charlotte Heating and Air Conditioning Services | Chicago Heating and Air Conditioning Services | Dallas Heating and Air Conditioning Services | Los Angeles Heating and Air Conditioning Services | Miami Heating and Air Conditioning Services | Minneapolis Heating and Air Conditioning Services | New York Heating and Air Conditioning Services | Philadelphia Heating and Air Conditioning Services | Phoenix Heating and Air Conditioning Services | San Francisco Heating and Air Conditioning Services | Seattle Heating and Air Conditioning Services | Washington, DC Heating and Air Conditioning Services | See More Cities
