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When Should I Get My Air Ducts Cleaned?

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The air ducts in your HVAC system function similarly to the arteries in a human body. Arteries in humans are responsible for carrying oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the rest of the body’s tissues. In addition, air ducts are tubes that connect your home’s HVAC system to the various air vents around the house. 

When you want to heat or cool your house, the air that has been heated or cooled must first go through the air ducts and then through the vents. If the arteries in your body are dirty or don’t work properly, you might be in for a world of problems when it comes to your physical wellbeing. 

The same is true for ventilation ducts. If the air ducts in your house aren’t clean or don’t operate properly, the air that is recirculated throughout your home won’t be clean and healthy for you and your family. However, many house owners are curious about the frequency with which air ducts should be cleaned.

What Exactly Does It Mean to Clean Air Ducts?

Air duct cleaning is simply the process of cleaning your HVAC system’s duct system in a professional manner utilizing duct cleaning equipment. This includes cleaning the vents, fans, coils, grilles, and heat exchangers in your system. Cleaning your ducts ensures that all of the filth and debris that may be present in your duct system is removed entirely, preventing them from amassing and causing issues with your HVAC system as well as your health.

How Frequently Should You Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned?

This is one of those queries for which there is no one correct response that can be provided. Why? Because the frequency of duct cleaning is highly dependent on a variety of elements as well as the person you question about it. Unless you detect an excessive quantity of debris, filth, and mold on your HVAC system, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claims that cleaning your air ducts is not really a need. This is the case even if you do observe these things. If someone in your home suffers from chronic respiratory issues or allergies, having your ducts cleaned is something you should consider doing as well.

The National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA) recommends that you get your ducts cleaned for the following reasons:

In addition, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) states that the frequency with which ducts should be cleaned is essentially up to the discretion of the homeowner. Cleaning your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system will not only improve the airflow in your home but will also reduce the amount of money you spend on your monthly energy bills.

Will It Matter if I Cleaned My House's Air Ducts?

Did you know that the typical residence in the United States generates around 40 pounds of dust in a single year? That figure could have caught you off guard, but what’s lurking within your ducts might take your breath away even more. 

Your ducts might be home to dust mites, mold, pet dander, pollen, etc. Because it is often positioned above ceilings or behind walls, cleaning the ductwork is something that the majority of homeowners forget to do. If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Will cleaning the air ducts provide me the results I need?” Then you will like reading this article.

Is it important to keep the air ducts clean? There is no evidence from studies to support the claim that routine cleaning of air ducts improves the quality of the air within a building. There is, however, some evidence to suggest that a less effective HVAC system might be the result of unclean HVAC components. 

In addition, there is evidence that doing periodic inspections of your air ducts may assist in the early identification of certain concerns with your system, which will then prompt you to take actions that will maintain your HVAC unit operating at its best level.

When Is It Necessary to Clean the Air Ducts?

If you find significant levels of dust or significant obstructions in the ductwork, it’s possible that you’ll need to have your air ducts cleaned. These obstructions may prevent air from smoothly moving through the air duct, which can ultimately result in your electricity costs being more expensive over time.

The following is a list of particular warning signals that should alert you to the potential need for services related to cleaning air ducts:

If you responded “yes” to any of the questions that were presented above, then you really want to give some serious thought to having an HVAC professional evaluate and clean your air ducts. Air Conditioning Repair Ilinois will inspect and clean your ductwork if you are located in or near the Ilinois metropolitan area. They have the most qualified HVAC technicians in the Illinois area.

Where to Get Professional Cleaning Services?

Make sure that an HVAC professional cleans your ducts at regular intervals of three to five years. Contact Oak Lawn HVAC if you are located in Illinois or any of the surrounding areas to get high-quality air duct cleaning in Illinois or assistance with any other issue with your HVAC system. Before beginning the cleaning, a thorough asbestos inspection will first be performed.

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