subject: The Importance Of Regular Duct Cleaning [print this page] Did you turn the furnace or the AC unit on for the first time that morning and start sneezing? Unfortunately, that is the case for a lot of people when a system is turned on after being off for several weeks or months. Dust, dander, dirt and other particles settle within the ducts while it is off. Then the system turns on and all of that junk is circulated in to the air, making for a miserable experience for you, the people in your home who have allergies or even people who are just sensitive. Keeping the ducts clean is very important, just for this reason.
How to Clean the Ducts
It might sound like a simple thing to do to keep the ducts clean. However, it isn't a practice you should try if you don't have the right tools or training because you could make the air in your home worse! With your own amateur methods, you could push the dirt farther down in to the duct or you could even damage the duct in the process. It is best to hire a professional who can come out and do the job the right way for you.
The schedule for cleaning the ducts depends on who and what lives in your home. Do you have any pets? The more pets you have, the more frequently the ducts should be cleaned. Pet hair and dander is probably the biggest culprit for dirty ducts. Children are a close second, as they can slip food pieces down the ducts, they stir up their own dust and even toys can get put down in to the duct systems. Every year or between the hot and cool season they should be cleaned. A professional has a machine that will suck everything from the ducts to clean them. They will not push the dirt in or do harm as they do.
Going Ductless for Cleanliness
It seems like every time you turn around, there is a new ductless system that can be installed in to your house. From an AC unit to a free standing heating system, ducts are starting to become a thing of the past. Is going ductless the ultimate way to keep them from polluting your house with dust, dander and dirt? There isn't a right or a wrong answer, just one that works for you. When you live in a smaller home or one that is entirely on the first level, then it is easier to heat or cool with a freestanding unit that does not require ducts. However, for houses that are larger or have multiple stories, the option then becomes buying more than one unit to keep all of the regions the correct temperature, which might still cost a lot of money and end up not saving you a bit.
A HVAC representative will be able to answer any question you have regarding the ductwork in your home. If you think eliminating them all together is the best option, they will outline what other options you do have that would work out well for you. For the people who decide to stick with the ducts they currently have, then they can either clean the ducts or recommend a business that will be able to keep them cleaned and safe for you.
