As the snow starts to melt and the weather begins to warm up, your furnace isn’t likely something you would typically think about adding to your spring cleaning list. But after the long winter months, you’d be surprised at how dirty the air ducts can get. Without regular cleanings, your indoor air can become polluted with many contaminants, impacting your health, comfort, and energy efficiency. Read on to learn more about the main benefits of cleaning your ducts this spring.
Keep Energy Bills Low
Over the winter months, dust, dirt, mould, pet dander and household pollutants circulate in your home and accumulate in various areas, including the air ducts. Aside from dispersing those pollutants through the air in your home, when the ducts become inundated with dirt, your furnace will have to work extra hard to circulate air. This causes it to use more energy which results in higher energy bills. By having ducts professionally cleaned, they can clear away any blockages to improve the efficiency of your HVAC system. This means lower energy bills each month.
Improve Air Quality at Home
The air inside is often far more polluted than outside. Therefore, one of the important reasons to have your ducts cleaned each spring is to remove contaminants to improve the air quality in your home. This can also help to reduce allergy symptoms and irritation, which can flare up when dust and dirt are constantly circulating through the ducts and vents.
Enhance Your Comfort
Dusty and dirty ducts can also create blockages that can lead to uneven air dispersion. So certain areas of your home may receive more heat or air conditioning than others. Once again, this can impede the efficiency of the HVAC system and cause your bills to be unnecessarily high. With regular duct cleanings, your system can maintain even air flow and improve your comfort at home.
Increase the Lifespan of Your HVAC Unit
Like any piece of equipment, maintaining it will help minimize the stress placed on it which will allow it to operate longer. Considering how much we use and rely on our HVAC systems, even minor issues like dirty air ducts can cause it to wear down much faster. Over time, it will require more maintenance and will eventually need to be replaced. Having it properly maintained and inspected can help protect it and make your investment last much longer.
How Often Should the Ducts Be Cleaned?
On average, ducts should be cleaned every 2 to 3 years. However, an annual cleaning might be necessary for any households with pets or family members with allergy flare-ups.
Signs that Your Ducts Need Cleaning:
If you can’t remember when you last had your ducts serviced, it’s a good idea to schedule a cleaning. Here are some signs that will tell you it’s time:
Limited Air Flow
When there’s a decrease in airflow, it will point to obstruction of dust and dirt. However, it could also be caused by a larger item in the ducts. In any case, your technician will be able to clean and clear them out.
Constant Dust
Does your home still appear dusty even after you’ve cleaned it? A clogged furnace filter and dirty ducts could be the cause. By getting them cleaned, you can reduce the amount of dust in your home.
Mould around Vent Cover
We recommend taking off one of the vents covers every so often. This way, you can see directly whether there’s a build-up of dust or if any mould is developing.
If it’s time to have your ducts cleaned, contact us at Power Vac of Ottawa. Our technicians are reputable and can help you get your home ready for the spring season with a clean and fresh duct system. Contact us today!