Spring Cleaning for Your Air Ducts

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

How Often Should You Clean Your HVAC Ducts?

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

Protecting Your Indoor Air Quality During the Winter

The colder months of winter can keep you and your family indoors and limit the amount of fresh air in your home. Dust, dander and mold can become trapped inside, impacting the health of the air you breathe. When the doors and windows stay shut, you want to ensure that you are reaping the benefits of a good air filtration system and controlling the humidity. Here are some tips to help protect your air quality and the health of your family during the cooler winter months.

Change Your HVAC Air Filter

All the air in your home is circulated through your HVAC system. For many homes, the HVAC filter is the main source of air purification, making it a vital component to maintain. Not only can a dirty air filter lead to poor air quality, it effects the efficiency of your HVAC system. Make sure to change it as needed to maintain healthy air and limit stress on your HVAC system.

Clean Vents and Ducts

In addition to your air filter, your HVAC vents and ducts can collect dirt, mold and dust. Make sure to regularly clean the vents throughout the winter. Ducts should be cleaned every few years to remove any debris, mold or pest residue that may collect inside, impacting your air quality.

Monitor Humidity

If mold is a common problem in your home during the winter, you may need to monitor and control humidity levels. Have your humidity levels checked and if they are above 50-60%, discuss adding a dehumidifier with your local HVAC professional.

A few maintenance items can help protect your indoor air quality throughout the winter. Make sure to keep up with HVAC maintenance to ensure good air quality and a healthy home for your family.

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

Managing Indoor Air Quality in the Winter

When the cold weather of winter keeps doors and windows closed, the air in your home can become stale. The same air circulates through your HVAC system – while it goes through a filter, it is the same air over and over. Winter can mean more time spent indoors, which means air quality is more important than ever. Here are some ways to manage indoor air quality during the long months of winter.

Filter Changes

You need to keep up on changing your filter when it begins to get dirty, usually every one or two months for most filters. You may also want to improve the MERV rating of your filter – this will pull out smaller particles for cleaner air, but it can put a little more stress on your HVAC system.

Clean Vents and Ducts

More time spent indoors means more dust, dirt, dander and other substances. Make sure to clean the air vents and have your ductwork cleaned. Cold air outside can entice pests to find ways into your ducts, so an inspection for damage and a thorough cleaning should be done before winter begins.

Consider an Air Purifier and Humidity System

Beyond the standard air filter, you can go a step further and invest in an air purifier and humidity control. Depending on the part of the country where you live, you may need a dehumidifier or a humidifier during the winter to keep air at the right comfort level.

The air your family breathes is vital to their health. Talk to your local HVAC service professional about the options to protect your air quality in your home.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
5950 Shiloh Road East
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 475-9555

Tips on How to Keep AC Mold at Bay

Your air conditioning system is full of moisture, making it a perfect haven for mold. The condensation that occurs during the cooling process allows moisture to get trapped in your air conditioner or HVAC system, which creates an ideal place for mold to grow. It is not uncommon to find mildew or black mold growth in your A/C vents; however, you should be aware that mold growth can be dangerous to your family’s health, especially black mold. Here are some tips to keep AC mold at bay.

Clean Your Vents

Take off your vents and wash them thoroughly every few months. If there is any sign of mold, make sure you wear gloves and an air mask to protect yourself. Simply cleaning the vents with warm water and soap and drying them completely can remove spores.

Keep Filters Clean

Your HVAC filters help control mold spores in your air. Make sure you are keeping up with your air filter changes to maintain clean, healthy air in your home.

Duct Cleaning

Mold can hide in your air ducts if you have central air. This means every time the air passes through, it is also picking up mold spores to spread throughout the home. You should have your air ducts cleaned every few years as needed to keep mold spores out of your duct system.

Routine Maintenance

Schedule your annual maintenance on your HVAC system to keep your system clean and free of mold. Part of routine maintenance should include cleaning the inside of your system, including the coils which can also grow mold. This is a good time to have your air ducts, vents and filters checked to stay on top of mold issues.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
3870 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Suite 340-129
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 475-9555

How Often Should You Clean Your Air Ducts?

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

What are the Benefits of HVAC Air Duct Cleaning?

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

Spring Cleaning Basics for your HVAC

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

Why Is Air Duct Cleaning Important?

You know that your home is clean, but do you know what’s lurking in your air ducts? After all, that’s not an area you can very well attack with a vacuum cleaner and a feather duster. What happens to all the built-up air and dust that gets sucked through your HVAC system?

Remembering to schedule a residential duct cleaning session is an important part of your HVAC system maintenance, and for a variety of reasons. The first is that cleaner air ducts can mean a reduced level of irritation to members of your family suffering from respiratory ailments or asthma. still, poor air quality affects everyone in your home. Even those without respiratory issues may find it difficult or uncomfortable to breathe when the ductwork in your home is harboring dust, dander and other irritants.

When your ductwork is significantly clogged with dust, dirt and debris, it affects more than just the quality of air in your home. It also affects the efficiency of your HVAC system. Airflow can be obstructed or restricted when it’s moving through clogged ducts, thus raising your energy bills and reducing the comfort of your home.

Thankfully, cleaning your ductwork is the work of an afternoon for an experienced HVAC contractor. Making an appointment with a heating and cooling professional in your area for a thorough duct cleaning allows you to improve your home’s efficiency and keep vulnerable members of your family healthy. Discuss your options with a local technician, and determine the best course of action for your particular situation. Before you know it, you’ll be breathing clean air and saving big bucks on your energy bills.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Pros and Cons of Duct Cleaning

If the air ducts in your home are dirty, having them cleaned can lead to improved air quality and may also maximize the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.  Air ducts that are clogged with dirt, dust and debris can cause your HVAC system to work harder.  Very dirty air ducts reduce the air flow through your ducts and can lead to uneven heating and cooling.  Removing all that dirt, dust and debris allows air to flow through your ducts as the system was initially designed.  Your HVAC system works more efficiently and your home is heated and cooled more evenly.

In addition, mold and mildew can grow in your ducts, especially if the ducts are dirty.  Every time your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump kicks on, airborne mold and mildew spores are blown into your home where they can aggravate allergies and increase the incidence of asthma attacks.

If you are considering having air duct service, there are a few precautions you should take.  First, make sure your ducts are actually the source of the problem.  You can check the condition of your ducts by removing an air register and inspecting the inside of the duct with a flashlight and mirror.  If the duct looks clean, you may not need duct cleaning. Your HVAC contractor can also inspect your ducts for you and let you know if cleaning is needed.

When choosing a duct cleaning service provider, be sure to use a reputable duct cleaning service or better yet, find a reputable local HVAC contractor who also offers duct cleaning.  They will be able to identify any other issue with your ducts.  For example, your ducts may need to be sealed.

After your ducts are cleaned, use a pleated high efficiency air filter and change it often.  This will keep your ducts clean for years, protect your HVAC system, and improve indoor air quality.