You may have heard that regular air duct cleaning is a good way to ensure cost-efficient heating and cooling of your home and to avoid unnecessary repairs to your HVAC system, but the opposite is usually the case. There are a lot of myths out there about it. To make the best decision for your home, it’s important to know the facts about whether air duct cleaning is the best option to keep your HVAC in top condition. Here are four myths about air duct cleaning that you need to know.
1. Air duct cleaning improves airflow in your home.
False. If your home has airflow issues, hot or cold spots, or a lack of heating or cooling, air duct cleaning is not a permanent solution. Duct cleaning only removes dirt and debris that has settled in your air ducts. It does not change the layout of your duct design or increase the airflow in your home. Addressing air flow issues requires professionally testing to measure the volume of air pushing through your HVAC system along with a complete duct inspection.
2. Do air ducts need to be cleaned regularly?
No. Air duct cleaning may need to be done if accumulated debris impairs the efficiency of your HVAC system but should not be an ongoing issue every few years. Duct cleaning does not need to be part of normal HVAC maintenance. If you change your filters regularly according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, your ductwork is properly sealed, and you vacuum the floor registers every six months to avoid dust build-up, then you should not need to do air duct cleaning at all.
3. Air duct cleaning eliminates mold and odors.
Not. Air duct cleaning alone does not eliminate odors coming from your HVAC system. A microbial spray can be used as part of ductwork cleaning however, this is only a temporary solution because the odors will come back. Spraying over odors doesn’t get rid of the cause in the first place. To eliminate odors, the source must be removed. This may include rodents, mold or mildew, and improperly sealed ductwork.
4. Air duct cleaning doesn’t damage your ductwork
Yes, it can! Certain ductwork is especially susceptible to damage and the older the ductwork, the more likely for damage to occur.
Flexible: Flex ducts consist of a spring wrapped within a fragile layer of plastic. Over time this plastic fragile layer can become even more fragile from the heat inside your attic or the walls of your home. This ductwork is most susceptible to damage during cleaning.
Aluma Flex: This is a solid ridged design covered by insulation beneath the outside cover of the duct itself. This is easier to clean and causes less damage during cleaning since the ductwork is more durable and less flexible.
Rigid: Rigid ducting is made of solid sheet metal with a rating between 28-24 gauge. If installed properly with the right sealant and insulation, this ductwork has the most integrity, so it has the least amount of risk for additional damage during duct cleaning.
A professional can thoroughly inspect your home’s ductwork to determine the type and the condition of the various hangers and sealing points. Failure to do so could result in damage to the ductwork, impaired efficiency, and repair expenses in the future.
Air duct cleaning can be a great solution when required in your home. But performing routine maintenance, installing the right filtration system, and ensuring your home’s ductwork is properly sealed can prevent future problems. If you need your ductwork inspected and cleaned, call the experts at Duct Dudes today!