The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) has recommended scheduling an air duct cleaning every three to five years. Meanwhile, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests doing so only when necessary, such as if the system is excessively dusty, infested with vermin, or contaminated by mold.¹ We know AC air duct cleaning in Greenville can benefit indoor air quality, but can it improve your HVAC system?
Duct Cleaning and HVAC Performance
All the air in your home circulates through a series of ducts several times per hour. These allow your central HVAC system to deliver warm or cool air to rooms. Dirty ducts can affect your heating and cooling system in various ways. Therefore, having your ductwork cleaned can have the following impacts:
Improved Airflow
Just a thin layer of debris in air ducts can increase friction and restrict airflow. When it can’t move air as effectively, your air conditioner can be strained, increasing wear and tear and energy usage. The issue can lead to higher energy bills, while your AC will be more prone to needing repairs.
Air Filters Will Last Longer
Your HVAC system works at its best when the air filters are fresh. But if there’s too much dirt and dust in the ductwork, the filters can clog up quickly. You’ll have to replace them more often. Duct cleaning can reduce the amount of dirt that reaches filters, so you can change them less frequently.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
AC duct cleaning helps improve air circulation, which is important for keeping the air in your home clean. It can also eliminate dust, dander, pet hair, mold, and other pollutants that can reduce indoor air quality. When these contaminants circulate, they can increase wear and tear, prevent effective heat transfer, and reduce comfort.
Longer Equipment Lifespan
The EPA has been vocal about duct cleaning not prolonging an HVAC system’s lifespan on its own. Indeed, there are many steps to making your AC last longer. But duct cleaning can help reduce issues that lead to problems that can escalate to larger component failures. In turn, fewer major repairs can lead to more years out of your HVAC unit.
Increased Efficiency
With smoother airflow, reduced strain on vital components, and less particulate debris, your HVAC system will use less energy. Dirty ducts can also cause vent grills to clog up; this forces the AC to work harder as well. Cleaner ducts let it run at peak efficiency, which is another reason to consider AC air duct cleaning in Greenville.
Improved Safety
Dust, dirt, and lint can catch fire when they heat up. Duct cleaning improves safety by removing these. Older systems are at an even higher risk of fire, especially those with a propane furnace or fireplace. But regular duct cleaning has the potential to improve the safety of any HVAC system.
HVAC Technicians Can Find Other Issues to Fix
During a thorough AC duct cleaning, a contractor can inspect your ductwork for developing issues. They can find leaks, loose connections, and gaps between connections and take corrective measures to fix them. Duct cleaning also allows a technician to identify areas where adding insulation can help. It can be part of a wider-scale inspection and tune-up that includes cleaning air filters, lubricating moving parts, and correcting minor issues.
When to Schedule an AC Duct Cleaning in Greenville
The NADCA says to clean air ducts only once every few years. But homeowners should consider more frequent cleanings if:
- Someone smokes in the house
- You have high-shedding pets
- The HVAC system is damaged by water
- An occupant has allergies or asthma
- A house is renovated or remodeled
- You’re moving into a new home
But if your ducts haven’t been cleaned in a long time or you notice declines in AC performance or efficiency, consult with your local HVAC company as to whether duct cleaning may be necessary.
Importance of a Professional Duct Cleaning
An AC duct cleaning must be done properly to be beneficial. We do not recommend a DIY cleaning. It wastes time and can do more harm than good. A professional has the proper tools and equipment. They know the correct vacuum pressure to apply, which avoids causing loosened dust to be blown into the living space. Also, they can avoid damaging air duct seals, puncturing ducts, and tearing insulation.
Call Waldrop for AC Duct Cleaning in Greenville
Waldrop is a leading HVAC services provider in Greenville and Spartanburg Counties. We’re known for high-quality air duct cleaning and repair. Fully trained and licensed, our technicians use the latest duct cleaning tools and methods to improve indoor air quality and help your HVAC system work better. To schedule service and learn about service plans that can help you save, call (864) 536-0887 today.
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