Get rid of dust, hair, and other debris that’s trapped in your home’s air ducts.
If moisture is present, the dirty air ducts could even promote mold growth.
Insects, rodents, and other pests can also detract from the systems efficiency andaffect indoor air quality.
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Use this guide to learn when duct cleaning is necessary and how to clean air ducts.
What Are Air Ducts?
Ducts can be round or square, depending on where they are installed.
Large metal ducts are often seen in a basement or running vertically up through the home.
The two types of ducts in a home are return and supply ducts.
Once the system is off, remove the supply and return vent grilles.
Use a soft nylon brush to remove any dirt or debris stuck to the grilles.
After washing the grilles, set them aside to dry.
Some ducts may have a tee, allowing them to split off in different directions.
Knowing the size and orientation of the duct helps when directing the cleaning brush into the duct.
Connect the pole to a drill and push the drill trigger to rotate the cleaning brush forward.
If your extension pole cannot connect to a drill, use your hands to rotate thecleaning brush.
Once the cleaning brush reaches the opening of the duct, stop the drill or manual rotation.
Reroute the brush to the opposite side of the duct if it has a tee.
Repeat this process with each duct throughout the home.
Then, attach the extension hose to the shop vac and insert it into the duct.
With the vacuum hose inside the duct, turn on the shop vacuum.
Go slow and work carefully to ensure the shop vac can collect any lingering debris.
Repeat this process with each duct throughout the home.
Turn on the HVAC system and let it run for 20 to 30 minutes before turning it off again.
This quick operating cycle will trap any remaining loose debris in the filter.
Finish the job byreplacing the filter.
Then, turn the HVAC system back on.
When Should You Clean the Air Ducts?
Duct cleaning isn’t a task that needs to be completed with any jot down of regularity.
DIY duct cleaning is relatively straightforward and can save the homeowner several hundred dollars in maintenance costs.
Between these appointments, homeowners can handle duct cleaning, filter replacement, and semi-regular system inspections.
However, some homeowners might not have the time or confidence in their skills to undertake thishome maintenancetask.
If this is the case, hire a crew of trained HVAC professionals to clean the air duct system.
US Environmental Protection Agency.
Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned?
