If you are anything like the average homeowner, you probably don’t give a whole lot of thought to the condition of your home’s HVAC ductwork. Of course, with its placement, we wouldn’t expect you to give it much thought. After all, ducts are typically hidden form sight, traveling through space between walls and through your attic. Exposed ducts often look fine in big industrial or commercial spaces, but not so much in residential homes.
But, should you be thinking about your home’s ductwork? Well, it’s important to be aware that ductwork that’s suffered damage will lead to poor HVAC performance, and a rise in utility bills. Damaged ducts aren’t the only concern, though. Dirty ductwork can be harmful too. This is why we stress the importance of scheduling routine duct cleaning in Hendersonville, TN.
“How Do My Ducts Get So Dirty?”
It’s not that your ducts get any “dirtier” than your home, but think about it. You probably regularly dust your home every few months, if not more often. Without this, dust will build up, causing allergy symptoms. Well, this dust in your home, as well as various airborne particles, circulate throughout your house, and therefore pass through your ventilation system.
In fact, it’s estimated that a six-room home can circulate up to 40 lbs. of dust annually. This dust, lint, dander, and more can settle on the inner duct walls and begin to build up. The more that it continues to build-up, the faster it will increase as more particles get trapped.
“Is This Unhealthy?”
For an allergy or asthma sufferer, absolutely yes. In fact, it can be bad for even the healthiest of individuals. Cleaning your ductwork eliminates a large reservoir of dust and other debris that you don’t want wafting throughout your home. Not only does cleaning your ducts help the house stay clean, it removes irritants from the air.
Additional Benefits of Duct Cleaning
Improving your health is huge, but not the only benefit of duct cleaning. Other advantages include:
- An Improvement in Energy Efficiency: The debris caught up in your ductwork puts friction on airflow. This, in turn, forces the blower of the HVAC system to work harder and drain more power. If you’ve noticed your utility bills rising, the source could very well be clogged ductwork.
- Less Likely to Accumulate HVAC Damage: All the dust and debris within the ventilation system can mean it gets inside the HVAC cabinet. This may damage motors and cause the condenser coil to freeze over, among other problems.
“How Often Do I Need Duct Cleaning?”
The good news is, unlike a service such as professional HVAC maintenance, duct cleaning is typically needed every 3-4 years. Keep in mind though, this type of job should only be performed by a trained professional with the right equipment for the task. Trying to clean your ducts on your own can potentially lead to further damage.