With the increased use of central air conditioning, which needs airtight conditions and reduces air recycling (which means we are breathing in the same dust over the year) air duct cleaning is growing to be an important part of the household cleaning and maintenance.
Many people are wondering how to clean air ducts completely, and is that at all possible since plant pollen, smoke, dust mite and many different outside polluters can accumulate in them. Since most of the dust accrues around air duct and returns that are visible, it can become an unsightly problem. The good news is there is a way to take matters into your own hands, or hire a professional to save yourself from breathing dirty air and prevent people with allergies from having problems now or in the future. There are two ways to get yourself involved in this project: Do it yourself or hire a professional
Should You Clean Your Own Air Ducts?
Go for this step if you really know what you are doing. The last thing you’ll want to do is stir up dust unnecessarily, creating even more problems. Cleaning your ducts may also reduce the amount of dust being created on your electronic equipment and furniture. But, most importantly, you’ll eliminate the unsightly buildup of dust and grime that invariably accumulates around registers. For visual appeal, cleaning your air ducts and returns yourself should be done when you change your furnace filters. This level of frequency will also help prevent big dust buildups that could cause a lot of dust to be released into your home all at once.
Start by inspecting all your registers and cold air returns. Be sure to locate hard-to-find registers, or notice those registers located in a basement ceiling or behind a heavy object. Be sure to have both flat head and Phillips screwdrivers, thick rubber gloves, a brush, rag and vacuum cleaner. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, if possible as it will limit the dust and toxins that are floating in the air.
Don’t try to go any more than a foot or two past the duct opening. Anything deeper into the duct system needs to be handled by a professional. Before putting the duct and return covers back in place, give them a good cleaning. You may need to soak the return covers, as they are usually the dirtiest.
Hire a professional
However, the best way to clean your air ducts is by hiring a professional. The Environmental Protection Agency advises that if you have your heating and cooling system cleaned professionally, make sure the provider cleans all components of the system, and that they have the qualifications to do so.
Professionals do not come with just a little brush to clean around the air duct, professionals use a negative air machine that cleans the entire air duct, and helps to purify the HVAC system. Cleaning away bacteria can lead to huge improvements in your health including issues with allergies and other respiratory problems.
Contact Genuine Comfort to discuss the air quality in your home, and making sure your air duct system is clean and free of harmful elements.
