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Preventing Dirty Ductwork Keeps Your Home’s HVAC System Running Efficiently

preventing dirty ductworkYour home’s ducts are usually out of sight and out of mind, but ignoring dirty ductwork can have tremendous consequences on your HVAC system’s overall efficiency and ability to function properly. A steady buildup of dust, dirt, mold and other airborne pollutants can also negatively impact your home’s indoor air quality and cause serious home comfort issues.

Preventing dirty ductwork is a key step for keeping your HVAC system in great shape. The following preventative steps can help you avoid ductwork contamination while boosting HVAC performance and efficiency.

Conduct Preventive HVAC System Maintenance

When it comes to your home’s HVAC system, prevention is always the best policy. That includes having regularly scheduled maintenance performed on the heating and cooling system each year. A professional HVAC technician will inspect the system for any signs of dust or mold and take the appropriate action to remedy and safeguard against it.

Aside from taking a peek at the HVAC system, your technician will also perform these tasks:

  • Check the HVAC system’s refrigerant level and recharge as necessary
  • Inspect and clean the evaporator coils within the indoor HVAC cabinet
  • Make sure the air filters have been changed and are the correct type for your HVAC system

Protect Ductwork During Renovations

Preventing dirty ductwork also means protecting it during times when larger-than-normal quantities of dust are present in your home. This usually happens during renovations, especially as the flurry of activity stirs up dust particles on a large scale.

Whenever there’s a renovation project going on inside your home, make sure the ductwork is sealed properly. This will prevent fibers, sawdust and other airborne debris from entering the duct system, which in turn might circulate throughout the rest of the HVAC system and your home.

Clean Your Home Regularly

Keeping your home spotless helps prevent dirt and dust from taking hold within the ductwork. Regular vacuuming, dusting and deep cleaning removes many of the contaminants that would otherwise find their way into your ductwork.

Without practicing proper cleaning techniques, the air that circulates through the ducts will carry dust and other contaminants to other parts of your home. The best way to stop that in its tracks is with regular cleanings and good housekeeping.

Protect Against Mold

Preventing dirty ductwork also means preventing mold problems from taking place. Mold spores are present throughout the air, but a heavy concentration of spores can set the stage for explosive growth. This is especially true in areas of your home that are subject to moisture build-up, like the bathroom and kitchen. Effective cleaning practices and better air filtration can help reduce and even prevent mold problems.

Schedule Regular Ductwork Inspections

Damaged and/or improperly installed ductwork can pose a wide range of problems for your home’s heating and cooling effectiveness. For instance, a small gap, rip or hole in an air duct not only allows conditioned air to escape, but it also allows dust and other airborne contaminants to enter.

It’s always a good idea to have ducts inspected by a licensed and trained professional. Often times, the professional can spot problems that would have otherwise been missed during a homeowner’s cursory inspection. How often it should be done depends on a variety of lifestyle factors, as well as the home’s type of construction and maintenance regimen.

Benefits of Taking These Preventive Measures

Taking the above steps for preventing dirty ductwork does wonders for keeping your home clean, healthy and energy efficient. Not only do you avoid paying additional energy costs due to dirty air ducts, but you’ll also avoid the time and expense of major repairs and restoration involving the ducts and other parts of the HVAC system.

Prevention also offers a significant health benefit, especially for regular sufferers of allergies and asthma. Mold, mildew and other biological contaminants pose serious health risks for all occupants. These health risks must be addressed as soon as possible to prevent negative long-term effects. Preventing dirty ductwork helps keep mold and other air quality-related problems at bay.

For more information on preventing dirty ductwork, contact the professionals at J & J Mechanical today. Since 1988, we’ve helped countless homeowners throughout Greenville, Kinston and New Bern with their HVAC system needs.

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