Are Your Air Ducts Dirty?
A dirty air vent can be an eyesore and an unsightly addition to your home. No matter how well-designed your HVAC system may be, if your vents aren’t cleaned regularly, the filters won’t be able to keep up with dust and debris build-up and over time you can end up with very poor air quality in your home.
How Can You Tell If You Have Dirty Ducts?
Sometimes, it’s easy to tell if your air ducts are dirty. Whether you notice a change in your home’s temperature or you simply have an aversion to your home’s stale smells, unclean air ducts are often a clear indicator that you need to get some professional help. But sometimes, it can be difficult to gauge just how clean (or unclean) they actually are. Some dust and debris accumulation can be found by simply removing your air vent and looking into your air duct, as long as you have safe access, such as a floor vent. If you can see dirt, dust, hair or other debris, there’s a good chance that there is much more located further past what you can see.
What You Can Do
If you know or suspect that you have dirty air ducts and vents, the good news is you can take steps to get them cleaned out and start improving your air quality right away! If you have safe access to remove vents in your home, you can clean out what debris and dirt you can see and reach yourself. It is recommended that you protect your hands with rubber gloves if you decide to take on this chore and be careful of any sharp objects down there! You could also use a vacuum with a long attachment, but keep in mind that other items can fall through the vents, which could cause damage to your vacuum. Remember that DIY duct cleaning is only going to resolve the dirt and debris that you can reach, which is a very small part of your home’s ventilation pathways and many air ducts are not accessible to safely clean yourself. It is best to call a professional air duct cleaning service, for a thorough job that will really make an impact in your indoor air quality.
Call In The Experts
Heating and cooling ducts in the home can accumulate dust, pollen, pet dander and more throughout their lifespans. If you want to really get your ventilation ducts clean and improve your home’s air quality, it’s not a do-it-yourself job. Since it requires access to your furnace or air conditioner unit and special equipment, it is best to call a professional air duct cleaning service to assess your vents, ducts and help you determine when they are in need of a deep clean. Depending on where you live and the amount of dust and debris in your home, it is recommended that you have your air ducts cleaned professionally every 3 to 5 years.
Clean Air Ducts + Healthy HVAC System = Healthier Home!
It’s important for homeowners to remember that air ducts are an integral part of a home’s ventilation and cooling system, and dirty ducts can lead to inefficient HVAC functioning. You should not only have your air ducts cleaned, but should also schedule regular maintenance of your HVAC system to help maintain good and healthy air quality in your house. If you suspect poor air quality and/or inefficient functioning of your home’s HVAC system, call the experts at Lancaster Brothers Heating & Cooling, serving the Kansas City area for over 21 years. Lancaster Bros. can help get your HVAC functioning at its peak performance, get you in touch with air duct cleaning professionals, and recommend many indoor air quality products that you can use to create healthier air in your home. With the help of professionals, your air ducts will be cleaner and air quality improved. You and your family can sit down, relax and just…breathe!