The Basics of Cleaning Your Air Ducts

 

If you have a central air unit, you have or will someday soon hear about cleaning the ducts. It may have crossed your mind a time or two about how the ducts are actually cleaned. Professional air conditioning service companies help to maintain the system by cleaning the ducts. The cleaning part may sound easy, but it should only be done by a professional.

 

Why Clean the Ducts?

 

It may not be obvious that your ducts need cleaning, but if dirt or dust has built up, it is time for them to be cleaned. Dirty ducts deplete energy, which ultimately increases utility costs. Here are a few other reasons to clean them.

 

• Dirty ducts prevent the central air conditioner from operating efficiently and it decreases the flow of air.
• The ducts could have droppings from rodents, insects or pieces of insects and other contaminated items or debris in them.
• Dirty or dusty ducts could lead to respiratory illnesses or asthma triggers.

 

Why Not Clean the Ducts Yourself?

 

While it is best to consult an air conditioning service professional to clean the ducts, some people attempt to do it themselves. This is not a good idea for several reasons. Most importantly, you could damage the unit or duct if you don’t have the proper training to work on the system. It is also difficult to access some areas when cleaning the ducts. Ducts cover a large area that require special equipment to clean effectively.

 

Professional air conditioning service technicians are equipped with the proper tools. Special blowers, brushes, and vacuums are needed to clean the ducts. They execute negative pressure to remove the grime, droppings, dirt, and other particles from the ducts.

 

It is important to ensure that your AC unit undergoes regular maintenance to prevent dirt from collecting on the ducts. This helps to improve the overall performance of the unit as the years pass. Failure to clean the ducts could lead to premature replacement or costly repairs of the unit.