Homeowners are always looking for ways to lower the cost of monthly bills. Energy bills are typically the most expensive bill, with heating and cooling being a significant portion of that cost. So if you’re trying to lower expenses, it’s worth improving the efficiency of your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system. One way to do that is to have an air duct cleaning.

What an HVAC does, and what parts of the system to be cleaned

Your HVAC system is used to both heat and cool your home. It also serves as a ventilation system – filtering and cleaning the air to improve its quality in your home. An essential component of the system is the ducting that circulates the air throughout your home with a series of connected tubes from the return vents to the HVAC and back to the supply vents.

Cleaning this ductwork is the primary focus for technicians, but they will also complete a comprehensive inspection to ensure proper sealing so that more dust, allergens, and other particles don’t make it into your system. The technician takes the time to clean other parts within the ductwork system, including the following:

• Coils
• Drain Pan
• Registers
• Grills
• Air Plenum
• Blower Motor and Assembly
• Heat Exchanger
• Air Filters
• Air Cleaners

Why your home or business air ducts need cleaning

Every day, particles enter and collect in the ducts – dander, pollen, and sometimes even mold or fungus from excessive moisture, which all build up over time. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association calculates that up to forty pounds of dust and debris are collected in the average cleaning. This build-up can cause your HVAC system to work harder due to blockage and reduced airflow, which decreases efficiency. If your system is constantly working harder, it’s more likely to break down. So cleaning the ducts not only improves efficiency but can help avoid future mechanical issues.

How often do ducts need to be cleaned?

Frequently replacing air filters is important, but your filters can’t do it all. Having your HVAC regularly serviced is recommended. It’s important to schedule a routine air duct cleaning at least every 3 to 5 years, but there are other circumstances or situations that will require a more frequent cleaning, such as:

• Allergies – If anyone in the household is allergic to pollen, dust, or mold spores.
• Smoking – If any individuals smoke indoors.
• Recent water damage – If excessive moisture is present in the air.
• After a remodeling project – Construction and repairs produce enormous amounts of dust.
• After moving into a new home – The condition of the ductwork is unknown until it has been inspected.

Who should clean your ducts?

Cleaning air ducts may sound like a project that you can tackle on your own, but it is actually a complex procedure that should only be done by a qualified professional. When you hire professionals to clean your air ducts, it will typically take about 3 to 4 hours. They will use a high-power vacuum to remove any dust, build-up, and contaminants that are located within the ductwork. Brushes and compressed air are also used to catch any build-up that is adhered to the surface of the ducts.

Be aware that the work of duct cleaning is a service that has become susceptible to scammers, so make sure you hire qualified professionals. Technicians who lack training or the proper equipment to safely clean your ducts can make things worse by releasing the built-up debris into your home, or worse, cause damage to your system. Make sure you contact a professional, established company.

Schedule your Northern Illinois air duct cleaning today

If you want to improve your HVAC’s efficiency, McMahon Services has a team of professionals, serving Chicago and surrounding areas, ready to perform the duct cleaning service for you. Contact us today to make an appointment!