Spring Cleaning for Your Air Ducts

January 15th, 2020 Posted in Air Duct Cleaning
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When the warmer air arrives in spring, it is time to freshen your home. You want to open the windows, clean out the winter dust bunnies and begin getting your outdoor space ready for summer. When you begin your spring cleaning, make sure to add one more item to your list: air ducts. Spring is the perfect time to ensure your HVAC system is clean between the heating and cooling seasons.

Air Duct Cleaning

Air ducts can become quite dirty, harboring dust, mold and debris left by pests that find a way into your duct system. These contribute to poor air quality in your home, triggering allergies and respiratory issues. While air ducts do not need to be cleaned every year, they should be inspected and the outer vents cleaned. Professional air duct cleaning should be performed about every three years to maintain good air quality and to inspect for duct damage.

While the main ducts may only need to be cleaned every three or so springs, every spring you should clean HVAC components you can reach yourself. Components and areas to clean and check: vent covers, around your furnace, AC condenser coils and around your outdoor AC unit. This can help maintain your HVAC system and remove debris that has accumulated over the winter months. You should also check your air filters and change if needed to help improve your HVAC efficiency and keep good air quality.

This spring make sure to add your air ducts and HVAC components to your spring cleaning list. If it has been a few years since you have had your air ducts cleaned, schedule a professional cleaning through your local HVAC service company.

Posted on behalf of:
Western Aire Heating & Cooling
264 Buchanan Highway
Dallas, GA 30157
(770) 505-7426

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How Often Should You Clean Your HVAC Ducts?

October 9th, 2019 Posted in Air Duct Cleaning
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Do you know what is hiding in the HVAC ducts in your home? If it has been a few years since your last duct cleaning, it could be a collection of dirt and other debris. Dirty ducts can affect your air quality and the health of your family. Here’s what you need to know about cleaning your air ducts, from frequency to signs it is time to schedule a cleaning now.

What is in Your Air Ducts?

If your air ducts are properly sealed and your humidity is low, your air ducts most likely stay clean longer with just a little dust collecting inside. However, most ducts are located in areas where they may be infiltrated by pests, which can lead to problems. Not only can pests like rodents create cracks or leaks in your duct work, they may be defecating and urinating in your ducts; holes they create can allow in other pests that may live and die in your ductwork. And if your home has high humidity, mold could be growing inside your ducts.

When Should You Clean Your Ducts?

For well-sealed ductwork without mold problems, cleaning will only need to be done every 3-5 years. But if you have signs of dirty ducts, you should schedule an inspection and cleaning sooner. These can include:

  • Duct vents are frequently dirty
  • There are bad odors emitted from your air ducts
  • You have a mold problem in your home
  • Those with dust and other air allergies are having more pronounced symptoms when in your home

Cleaning you air ducts as needed can help keep your home healthy. Make sure to have your ducts inspected during your annual HVAC service and professionally cleaned every few years.

Posted on behalf of:
Western Aire Heating & Cooling
264 Buchanan Highway
Dallas, GA 30157
(770) 505-7426

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How Often Should You Clean Your Air Ducts?

November 5th, 2018 Posted in Air Duct Cleaning
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Do you know what is inside your air ducts? You should. The air you breathe is affected by the ducts that transport the air throughout your home. If there is mold, dust or other harmful debris in your ducts, it can affect the air quality in your home. Cleaning out your ducts helps protect the air quality and the health of your family. The question is, how often should you have your air ducts cleaned?

The answer is not as simple as it may seem. Depending on your HVAC system and where you live, this can vary. A well-sealed duct system in a mild climate may stay clean easily. A wet climate can be more likely to grow mold in the duct system, while a dusty area may be more difficult to keep ducts clean. However, all ducts should be cleaned and maintained.

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommends homeowners get their air ducts cleaned every three to five years. This is an average; your home may need it more often, like once every year or two. Or, you may not need them cleaned for six or seven years. The best way to know for sure is to have your air ducts inspected. Many HVAC service companies can inspect the interior of your air ducts using digital video cameras. This can be done as part of your annual service, giving you an inside view of what is hiding in your air ducts.

Out of sight should not mean out-of-mind when it comes to your air ducts. Make sure your ducts are kept clean with regularly professional cleanings by your local HVAC service.

Posted on behalf of:
Western Aire Heating & Cooling
264 Buchanan Highway
Dallas, GA 30157
(770) 505-7426

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What are the Benefits of HVAC Air Duct Cleaning?

September 4th, 2018 Posted in Air Duct Cleaning
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When was the last time you had your HVAC air ducts cleaned? If it has been years or even worse, never, it is time to consider scheduling a duct cleaning. Those air ducts that transport the warm and cool air to the various rooms in your home can stockpile dirt, dust, mold and other debris inside, causing many types of problems. Here are some of the benefits of investing in an air duct cleaning for your HVAC system.

Reduce Energy Costs

Everyone wants lower utility bills, and this is one of the big reasons to clean your air ducts. Dust and debris in your air duct can clog filters and impact your HVAC system, making it run inefficiently. Clean air ducts can help lower your utility costs, a big reason to add this service to your to-do list.

Better Air Quality

What is inside your air ducts is also circulated through your home. Dust, dirt, mold and even pest waste can be coating the inside of your air ducts. When the air is forced through your ducts, it picks up some of these contaminants and releases them into the air you breathe. This can be harmful to your health, especially for anyone with allergies, asthma, lower immune response or any type of respiratory problem.

Air ducts should be cleaned every few years at minimum to help improve the performance of your HVAC system’s efficiency and to help maintain good air quality in your home. Your local HVAC service company can perform this service and ensure your air ducts are well-maintained for a healthier and more efficient home and HVAC system.

Posted on behalf of:
Western Aire Heating & Cooling
264 Buchanan Highway
Dallas, GA 30157
(770) 505-7426

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How to Inspect Your Furnace or Air Conditioning Ducts

August 10th, 2018 Posted in Air Duct Cleaning
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Do you have uneven heating or cooling in your home? If you have central air and heat with a duct system, you may have a blockage in your duct system. Many items can find their way into the ducts and cause a blockage. This can cut off air to one or more rooms in your home, causing uneven temperatures. It can also cost you more on your energy bill and put extra stress on your HVAC system. Here are some tips on how to inspect your ducts to find blockages.

  • Check air flow. Turn on your heat or air and check all the vents in your home for air flow. If any do not have air coming out, there may be a blockage in that duct. If low air is coming from all ducts, check your air filter – it could be clogged and need replacement.
  • Remove vents. If there are vents with low to no air, remove the vent cover. This is often where debris gets caught, pushed up against the vent cover. Clean away any debris and check the duct for any blockages as far as you can see using a flashlight.
  • Make sure valves are open. If the vent and filter are clean, but there still is no air going to certain rooms, make sure the valves for the duct are open. Most systems have valves in the ducts to close air flow to certain rooms.

If after your inspection, you are still having air flow issues, call your local HVAC service team. There is possibly a blockage in your ducts that may need to be cleared by a professional.

Posted on behalf of:
Western Aire Heating & Cooling
Marietta, GA 30066
(770) 505-7426

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Spring Cleaning Basics for your HVAC

July 16th, 2018 Posted in Air Duct Cleaning
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Spring is time for cleaning around your home. You pull down the drapes, air out the closets and give your home a good cleaning to put winter in the rearview mirror. Another area to clean is your HVAC system. You want to ensure that your unit is cleaned and ready to tackle the hot months ahead after a long winter. Here are some spring cleaning basics for your HVAC system:

  • First, turn off your unit to protect yourself from shock. To be safe, turning your unit off at the breaker and the unit is best.
  • Start at your outside unit. Clean the exterior cages and around the unit to remove debris that could block the air flow. You can also clean the fins using water to remove dirt and improve air flow. Don’t use a pressure washer – it can damage the fins.
  • Inside, you want to clean the air vents to ensure there is no blockages. If you have duct work, spring is a good time to schedule a duct cleaning from your local HVAC service company. Filters need to be changed – these improve the air quality in your home and can affect the efficiency of your unit.
  • The indoor unit should have the evaporator coils cleaned and ensure that the evaporator drain is unclogged. There is coil cleaner you can buy to remove dirt from the coils – however, if you schedule a spring service for your home heating and cooling system, your service technician will clean the coils and other areas of your HVAC unit.

You should keep the areas around your outdoor unit clean and keep an eye on your air filters throughout the year. If you have an annual tune-up, the interior of your unit will be cleaned and maintained for the best efficiency.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
1925 Lena Carter Road
Buford, GA 30519
(770) 475-9528

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Are Your Ducts Drafty?

October 12th, 2014 Posted in Air Duct Cleaning
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One of the biggest drains on heating bills is drafty ductwork. Poorly sealed ducts can lead to high energy bills, both during the summer and the winter. If your heated or cooled air is being lost as it travels throughout your home, you are paying way too much in energy bills. Before the colder winter weather hits, now is the time to have your ducts inspected to ensure you’re getting the most out of your heating system. 

Benefits Of Duct Inspections

It’s not uncommon for leaks and other efficiency issues through the ductwork of a home to go unnoticed. Since you can’t see inside them, it’s easy to assume they’re doing their job. However, if you have noticed an increase in your utility bills or members of your family are suffering from increased allergy symptoms, your ducts may be to blame. Having an annual duct inspection can provide many benefits, including: 

  • Detecting leaks. If there are small holes or cracks in your ducts, they may be leaking air. This can cause your utility bills to go up 20% or more, depending on the extent of the leaks. Sealing these problems can have a drastic impact on your monthly utility bills.
     
  • Dirty ducts. Dust, pests and mold can accumulate within your ducts, spreading allergens throughout your home. An inspection may uncover the hidden cause of increased allergy problems.
     
  • Back drafting. One of the most dangerous aspects of poorly sealed ducts is back drafting. Ducts often transport dangerous gases, such as carbon monoxide, out of your home. Leaky ducts can cause these harmful gases to be pulled back into your home, endangering your family. 

If it’s been more than a year since your ducts have been checked, call your local HVAC contractor to schedule an inspection. It’s worth the investment to ensure your HVAC system has ducts which are working efficiently and safely for your family’s comfort and health.

Posted on behalf of Find Local HVAC

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Improving Air Quality In Your Home

April 10th, 2014 Posted in Air Duct Cleaning
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Air pollution is not just an outdoor air problem in urban areas; it can also be inside your own home. There are many pollutants which are common in the air you breathe that have nothing to do with automotive or industrial waste products. Your home can be home to mold, viruses, pet dander and dust floating in the air, which can irritate allergies and even cause illnesses. Fortunately, there are ways you can improve the air quality of your home, making it a healthier place for you and your family. 

Steps To Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Any home can have an accumulation of air pollutants if proper cleaning and maintenance are not performed. Our own skin creates dust in the air, moisture can create mildew or mold and pets emit dander from their fur, causing a continuous build up of pollutants in your home. While it is impossible to eliminate all these elements, you can reduce the amount through a few simple steps: 

  • Cleaning. Vacuuming regularly reduces dust and dander, especially using a vacuum with a HEPA air filter. In addition, dusting surfaces with a damp cloth can also remove many pollutants that could enter the air.
  • Air Ducts. Air ducts can become encrusted with mold, mildew and dust, recycling these contaminants back into your home. Regular air duct cleaning can remove these pollutants from your home.
  • Air Filters. Your HVAC air filter needs to be replaced as recommended by the manufacturer. If you have people with allergies in your home, you may want to upgrade to a higher performance air filter, such as a HEPA filter to remove more pollutants from the air. 

Before summer allergens hit, schedule a routine duct cleaning and filter inspection or replacement. This is the perfect time to remove the pollutants that have built up over the winter in your home,  making it a safer and healthier place to live.

Posted on behalf of Western Aire

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Residential Duct Cleaning

May 21st, 2013 Posted in Air Duct Cleaning
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Many older homes will have a large build up of dirt and dust on the walls of the ductwork, which negatively impacts the indoor air quality in the home, which impact the health of the residents.  While indoor air quality impacts all of us; it really makes a big difference in the lives of those that suffer from allergies, asthma and other respiratory health issues.  In addition, in severe cases the amount of dirt and dust in the ducts restricts the amount of air flowing into the areas that the ductwork is supplying air to, which impacts the heating and cooling of that area. 

The good news is that the cleaning of the ductwork is easily accomplished by using a qualified duct cleaner.  The technicians, who are highly skilled, will clean the ducts utilizing a number of specialized tools, including brushes and vacuum cleaners.  The vacuum cleaners deposit the dust and dirt into a storage unit on a truck using sealed hoses, which keeps the home clean. They are experienced in working in occupied homes and will complete the work in a professional manner and will leave your home clean once they are finished. 

The process for a homeowner’s perspective is very economical, fast and relatively clean.  In many cases the work will be completed within a day and the benefits are noticed immediately, both as far as indoor air quality, as well as the amount of air being supplied to each area of the home by the ductwork.  Air duct cleaning is a home maintenance item that should not be overlooked as it directly impacts your health, as well as the health of your family.

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Common Indoor Air Pollutants

March 26th, 2013 Posted in Air Duct Cleaning
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The last thing you want to do when the temperatures soar or plummet is to leave the windows open in your home. When your home is completely sealed, though, the air quality within your home may actually be worse than it is outdoors. There are a variety of pollutants and contaminants that can affect interior air quality, some of which are much more common than others. 

Biological contaminants like dust mites, pet dander and mold can all have a serious impact on members of your family that suffer from environmental allergies. Dust can also be problematic, but is an issue whose severity is reduced by the use of a vacuum cleaner with a high-quality filter.  Air duct cleaining can also help reduce the amount of airborne contaminants in your home while improving the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.

During the winter months, combustion gases used to fuel a gas furnace can build up inside of your home. Burning fuels produce nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, which can be deadly if they linger in your home. A properly-operating system vents these gases outside where they’re dispersed harmlessly, but a leak can have fatal results. Make sure that you have a functioning carbon monoxide detector in your home, as the gas is colorless, odorless and almost impossible to detect otherwise. Pesticides use to control insects in your home can actually remain in your home long after they’re used, reducing the air quality inside. 

While making sure that your air filters are replaced regularly can make a noticeable difference in your air quality, the most effective way of clearing the air in your home is to install an indoor air cleaner. Contacting a licensed and experienced HVAC consultant in your area to discuss filtration and air quality improvement options will take you one step closer to the clean, clear air you need to keep everyone in your family breathing freely.

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