Maintaining Air Ducts: Avoiding Traffic Jams on Your HVAC Highways
Your HVAC system relies on a variety of components to keep the fresh air flowing smoothly around your home. Air ducts are among the most overlooked components of the HVAC system, and they operate as the highway that helps keep air moving from room to room. If your system’s air ducts aren’t in great shape, your system will struggle to provide excellent air quality, energy efficiency, and improved lifespan for your entire system. This is where the importance of air duct maintenance comes in.
Are you looking for the best ways to maintain the highways of your HVAC system? This information will help you keep your system in excellent shape.
What Is the Importance of Air Duct Maintenance?
Taking care of your air ducts is critical. Some homeowners forget about their air ducts because they can slowly diminish in quality over time. However, regular air duct maintenance can lead to some excellent benefits.
Increased Efficiency
During the summer, it’s common to see energy bills rise as HVAC use becomes a daily occurrence. Even a small leak or clog can make maintaining energy efficiency more difficult. As a result, you may see higher utility bills and increased strain on your system. Efficient airflow makes your wallet and your home happier.
Clean Air Ducts Enhance Air Quality
Air duct maintenance can also enhance indoor air quality. The air quality in your home is greatly impacted by dust, allergens, and mold that could be lurking in your air ducts. When you turn on the system, you might notice that your allergies kick in or your home doesn’t smell as fresh as it should. Regular air duct maintenance can ensure that your home is free of these contaminants so you can breathe clean, healthy air inside.
Lengthen the Lifespan of Your HVAC System
Your HVAC system may need fewer repairs over the years if your system is built to distribute air efficiently. When your air ducts are free of clogs and leaks, your system doesn’t have to work as hard to push air along. As a result, your system is less prone to inconvenient breakdowns and costly repairs during peak months.
How Do You Know If Your Air Ducts Need Maintenance?
The signs that you need air duct maintenance or repair can be subtle. For this reason, homeowners should pay special attention to any inconsistencies in their HVAC system.
These are some of the signs that could be indicative of bigger problems:
You Can See Debris or Dust
Do you see any dust, dirt, or debris lurking? Whether you see the debris around your vents or upon a cursory inspection of your ducts, your system might need a thorough cleaning. Dust is indicative that your ducts are clogged, or your system is not filtering air efficiently.
Your Home Isn’t Cooling Consistently
Do you ever feel like heating or cooling in your home is not exactly consistent? If some rooms feel like they’re cooling down less efficiently than others, you could have a leak or a clog in your system. All the air can travel around this blockage, which slows everything down.
Your Home Smells Strange
If your air ducts have mold or mildew growing in them, you might smell something “off.” Not only can this make your home uncomfortable, but it can also indicate that you are at risk for health problems stemming from mold exposure.
Your Energy Bill Is Higher Than Usual
An increase in your energy bill could indicate that your HVAC system is overcompensating for lost air due to leaks and clogs. Pay close attention to your monthly bill and usage to ensure nothing seems amiss.
How Can You Keep Air Flowing Smoothly?
You can keep your air duct clear of traffic jams with regular maintenance. These are some steps you can take as well as some ways a professional can assist you with this process.
Get Regular Inspections
A regular inspection of your system can identify small issues before they worsen. A professional can pinpoint even the smallest problems with an annual inspection. For example, an HVAC pro can help you determine if your home is not maintaining proper humidity levels (between 30 and 50%). You can get some actionable steps to help you follow through with caring for your system.
Have Your System Cleaned
Your HVAC system should undergo a professional cleaning at least once every five years (preferably more often if you have pets, experience allergies, or smoke indoors). During the cleaning, a professional will also assess gaps in your system to apply sealing and keep air locked in.
Change Your HVAC’s Air Filters
Here’s something you can do on your own: change the air filters for your HVAC system every month. If your air filters have collected debris and dust, your system is not filtering as efficiently as it needs to. A new air filter can make a world of difference.
When Should You Call an HVAC Professional?
You can certainly take care of some HVAC maintenance tasks on your own but calling in a professional is often a good idea. Look for signs that your HVAC highway isn’t flowing smoothly and call a professional to stay proactive and avoid common causes of breakdowns when you need your system the most. Contact our team today to keep your system on the right track!
