Your HVAC system is an integral part of the home. Keeping the air in your house or apartment conditioned, whether it be warmed or cooled, will filter out dust, allergens, and other unhealthy debris. Your HVAC system can be expensive to repair and replace; which is why regular maintenance and optimizing what you have is imperative to keeping things in peak condition.
Cleaning air ducts, changing filters, sealing leaks, and ensuring that your intake vents aren’t blocked are all parts of maintaining an efficient HVAC system – but why is keeping your HVAC system clean important, and how does it affect the quality of the air in your home?
Why Is Cleaning Your HVAC System Important?
Keeping your HVAC system clean is not only important to your health but to the efficiency of the system. It also helps keep your energy bills low. Some of the most important reasons to clean your HVAC system are:
- Reducing respiratory distress; It is estimated that 1 in 13 people suffer from asthma and that 50 million Americans suffer from both seasonal and chronic allergies. Maintaining a clean HVAC system will help filter the air that circulates in a home, purging out allergens such as pollen, dander, and dust.?
- Reducing energy bills; if your HVAC system is congested, your air conditioner and heater have to work harder, thus increasing your energy bills. Keeping your HVAC system clean will save you money over time.
- Prolonging the lifespan of your HVAC System; debris in your HVAC system can damage the ducts, requiring costly repairs. Keeping a clean HVAC system prolongs the life of the ducts and other HVAC components.
Keeping your HVAC system clean not only saves you money on energy bills but keeps the air in your home cleaner and reduces the number of irritants that pose a health risk for you and your family.
How Do I Know If My HVAC System Needs To be Cleaned?
Check the filters regularly. Pay attention to the air quality in your home. Be aware of how often your heater or air conditioner is running. These indicators should give you some idea as to whether your HVAC system needs to be cleaned. If you find that your house is constantly dusty (especially under vents) or that your air conditioner is running at all hours of the day, chances are you need air duct cleaning services performed by a professional.
How Do I Clean My HVAC System?
Cleaning your HVAC system involves removing vents and vacuuming the dust and debris from your system. Unfortunately, most of the ductwork isn?t readily visible to the average homeowner, and DIY HVAC cleaning methods will never be completely effective. Save yourself time, money, and alleviate headaches by employing a professional HVAC company to service your ducts.
Don’t forget, part of cleaning your HVAC system is cleaning the filters which can easily be done by yourself. Check your filters every six weeks to reduce dust buildup and eventually replace them with a new filter. Filters can be purchased at a number of online retailers or at your local hardware store. Maintaining a clean filter is an essential part of keeping a healthy home.
Do I Need a New HVAC System?
Old HVAC systems in disrepair are hazardous to life and health. Older HVAC systems are notorious for causing electrical fires, due to issues within the wiring. An outdated HVAC system is also made less efficient than modern systems. Devices such as smart thermostats will keep your HVAC system running only when necessary, and modern construction techniques are less prone to leaks and damage, especially for new homeowners building with an air barrier. Replacing an old HVAC system may be costly upfront, but the health benefits, money saved over time, and peace of mind that a new one brings make it worth the investment.
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Matt Lee is the owner of the blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.
