Air Duct Cleaning: Is This Really a Thing? 

With Increasing Smoke and Pollution, Regular Duct  Maintenance is Helpful

We’ve come down hard in this space about unethical handyman operations charging strangers for “air duct cleaning services” when they don’t know an air duct from a soda straw. The wrong person messing around with your HVAC system and its air ducts can inadvertently cause leaks, damage to the ducts themselves or reduce your indoor air quality quite easily. That can cost you significant expense in terms of higher utility bills, more irritants getting into the air you breathe and hassles later on when the repairs start multiplying.

However, as wildfire smoke becomes a regular thing in the Southland as well as greater weather extremes, it’s important to keep your ducts maintained by a professional. Let’s take a look below at some of the reasons why.

Improved air quality

Dust and smoke, mold and mildew, and critter infestations behind the walls of your home can all lead to more contaminants in your ductwork. This can in turn reduce air quality in your home, leading to more respiratory infections, worse allergies and other health issues. Why risk it? Have a professional HVAC inspection and evaluation. If the ductwork is dirty, your tech can not only clean and remove what doesn’t belong there, but leave everything perfectly intact, avoiding damage to the relatively lightweight metal  from which ductwork is made.

More energy efficiency

We often discuss the importance of a clean air filter in this space. Clean ductwork obviously promotes that too, by reducing the amount of material for the filter to have to screen. In some cases, even just a small leak in your ductwork can let in a whole lot of dust and debris from the outside air. With more pollutants in your system, your HVAC has to work harder to do the same job, using more energy as clean airflow becomes increasingly restricted. And you guessed it- that in turn means higher energy bills. Who wants that?

Easier breathing

Dirty ductwork can translate into unpleasant odors within your home. Mildew, a stale smell, or other unpleasant odors can proliferate when there is a ductwork leak , excess moisture or a buildup of grime within your system. To guarantee clean, fresh smelling air, have a professional HVAC tech take a look at what’s lurking within your system. Like a visit from a housekeeper or mopping your own floors, regular ductwork inspections and cleaning are a wonderful way to ensure your home is at its comfortable best for everyone.

Have questions about your HVAC system or how it operates? Contact the award-winning professionals at Air-Tro. We’ve been keeping California comfortable since 1969! (626) 357-3535.