Air duct cleaning is one of the most important ways to improve the air you breathe and reduce your energy bills. However, keep in mind that it is not just the air ducts that need to be cleaned — it is your entire HVAC system — after all, what good is cleaning the air duct if contaminated and polluted air is still blowing through it?
Just like you wouldn’t just clean half your bedroom, you also do not just want to clean your air duct. You should also clean the coils, drain pans, blower motor and assembly, air filter, air cleaner, heat exchanger, and grills.
Here is a simple guide that can help you find out how to properly clean not just your air ducts but your HVAC system as a whole:
Shaking Loose Contaminants
If you want to properly clean your HVAC system, you need to remove the source of pollutants. This begins by using an “agitation” device that is designed to force contaminants to lose their grip on surfaces within the air ducts and the HVAC system. These devices include airbrushes, compressed air nozzles, and dust-cleaning skipper balls. You can also use a contact vacuum or do some hard brushing to shake loose stubborn bits of contaminants from your HVAC system.
Gathering Contaminants Carefully
Once the cleaning commences, you will need to place your entire HVAC system in a vacuum so that the loosened contaminants do not spread throughout your house. By applying continuous negative pressure, you can remove particulate material from the system before they become airborne and have a chance to be released in your home once you turn on the HVAC system.
This vacuum is also very helpful in removing and collecting the loosened contaminants which are safely disposed of away from your home.
Providing Air Duct Access
Cleaning your HVAC system is not a very complicated process but it has its unique needs. For example, you will need to get access to the interior of the air duct which can be made through existing entrances like the service openings, duct end caps, and supply diffusers. Cleaning professionals may also need to cut some holes in the ductwork so that they can easily reach inside with their various tools.
It is important that these openings be made precisely without damaging the rest of the ductwork and should be closed tightly once the cleaning has been done. That is why it is important to hire people with professional skills to perform air duct cleaning.
Air Duct Cleaning – Using Antimicrobial Agents
Antimicrobial agents include disinfectants, sanitizers, and deodorizers that can be applied to the certain non-porous surface in your HVAC system that can control the growth of contaminants and odor. You should use only those chemicals that have been registered by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Only use chemical products once the necessary cleaning has been performed and there is still a need for this treatment.
Bottom Line
Simply getting your air duct and HVAC system cleaned can make a big difference in the indoor air quality and energy efficiency of your home. Once you are ready to tackle your air ducts, it is important that you choose only a reliable professional air duct cleaning contractor to ensure you get the job done right.