Is professional air duct cleaning a part of your home maintenance routine? If it’s not, you may be compromising the quality of the air you and your household members breathe. If any of you have allergies or respiratory issues, duct cleaning is particularly important. Air quality issues can negatively impact various health problems and leave you at risk for many others.
Keep reading for a detailed list of the advantages that professional air duct cleaning services from an HVAC company can offer. Understanding these benefits can play a significant role in enhancing the health and comfort of both yourself and those around you.
Reduce Allergens
Dirty ductwork poses a significant health hazard. When your ducts contain dirt, dust, and other debris, your HVAC system serves as a catalyst to send those harmful particles throughout your entire home. These allergens travel through the air and can cause or aggravate respiratory issues.
Professional duct cleaning effectively removes allergens from the source, allowing you to breathe cleaner air and reducing allergy symptoms. A simple service can help you and your household members feel much better, especially if you’re an allergy sufferer.
Mold Removal
Mold can build up in various locations throughout your home. Your air ducts are a perfect breeding ground for these toxins, and it can often be difficult to tell whether you have a problem. If you suspect the presence of mold or simply wish to be sure this isn’t something that could be causing negative health effects for your family, a professional HVAC service can provide much relief and peace of mind.
First, HVAC technicians can use their training and knowledge to identify whether mold is present and, if so, what type it is. They know the ins and outs of ductwork systems and can perform an inspection to get to the bottom of the issue. If you do have moldy ducts, your HVAC professional can clean the area with a special anti-bacterial solution that can remove present mold colonies and prevent future growth from occurring.
Odor Reduction
Have you noticed musty or other foul-smelling odors within your residence? As noted, mold is a common problem within HVAC ductwork. Other sources of unpleasant odors coming from your HVAC system could be mildew, fluid leaks, burning exhaust, or even a decomposing rodent within the ductwork.
Even smells associated with everyday living such as cigarette smoke, pet fur, paint fumes, cleaning chemicals, and cooking can contribute to odors being trapped within your ductwork. Any of these could pose problems, so it’s wise to seek the assistance of a reputable HVAC contractor to determine the source of the scent and provide duct cleaning or other services to address it.
Get Rid of Pests
When the temperatures begin to cool off, a variety of small animals may seek shelter from the inclement weather inside your home. The ductwork of an HVAC system provides a comfortable and concealed place for them to hide from the elements and humans. Unfortunately, this situation sets you up for a potential infestation of vermin. Signs of infestation can include:
- Odors
- Animal droppings
- Unusual or scratching noises
- Poor HVAC performance
- Debris accumulation
- Gnaw marks
- Odd behavior from your pet
- Nesting materials
- Chewed items
If you think you may have uninvited guests living within your home, a professional HVAC inspection is recommended. These experts can inspect your ducts to determine whether something is or has been living in them. They will then use highly specialized equipment to thoroughly clean and disinfect the area. This process removes potential health hazards and bad smells. Moreover, this proactive measure can help deter pests from re-infesting your home in the future.
Cleaner Environment
Do you find yourself having to dust the surfaces within your home frequently? Perhaps you notice a coating of dust developing even though you just did your weekly household chores. The cause of your abundance of dust just may be your ductwork.
When your HVAC system periodically shuts off, the particles within it are allowed to settle. Once it kicks on again, particulates are sent flying out into your home. Once released, they will settle onto the surfaces within your space like tables, sofas, bedding, and the floor. To avoid the constant cycle of endless dusting, consider scheduling air duct cleaning to cut down on the problem at its source.
Longer Air Filter Life
Changing the air filters of your HVAC system is a part of its maintenance. Clean filters are able to trap more particles and debris, preventing them from recirculating throughout your living areas. Keeping your filters clean can even reduce the chances of a fire occurring due to HVAC malfunction.
Clean air filters and ductwork go hand-in-hand. Both prevent the spread of irritants in the air, leading to improved air quality and better health outcomes. Your filters will last longer if you take the added step of scheduling regular duct cleaning.
Improved Overall Air Quality
It’s important to know that all sorts of contaminants are in your home daily, and these irritants can be spread and circulated through the very HVAC system you use to keep you comfortable. Routine air duct cleaning can rid your home of any toxins that exist within your system, making the air within your dwelling much cleaner and healthier in general. Things like pet dander, carbon monoxide, pesticides, dust, volatile chemicals, and more are likely to be floating in the air.
Professional duct cleaning is an effective and relatively simple way to remove the majority of toxins so that you and your loved ones can rest assured your air is fresh and free from allergens or other harmful contaminants. These particles will come back and accumulate over time. That’s why it’s recommended to have your air ducts cleaned at least every few years.
More frequent duct cleanings may be necessary based on various factors such as the number of pets in your home, the health conditions of the residents, or recent home renovations. To ensure the highest air quality possible, it is recommended to include duct cleaning as part of your routine home maintenance schedule.
Prevention of Further Issues
Routine air duct cleaning has an additional benefit you may not have thought of — preventing future HVAC issues. While the technician is in the process of cleaning, they may stumble across such problems as damaged insulation, leaks, or poor connections within the ductwork. They can take care of the issues right then and there, ensuring things run smoothly in the future and perhaps even lengthening the life of your system. A properly working HVAC system, as you’ve seen, is essential to good indoor air quality.
Schedule Professional Duct Cleaning Today
At John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical, we’re here to improve indoor comfort in homes across Lincoln, Omaha, and the surrounding areas. You can count on us for quality, professional air duct cleaning, inspection, and repair to ensure you and your loved ones breathe easier within your living space. We also provide a host of other HVAC services and can help you with needs big and small. Contact John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical when you need heating, cooling, plumbing, or electrical work.
