The air ducts in our homes can be a breeding ground for dangerous bacterias and viruses. How clean we keep the air ducts will determine our house’s air quality and how healthy we are. And since we are most likely spending more time indoors, it is vital to have clean air ducts.
The question is how to clean your air ducts? While you can clean air ducts by yourself, it will never be as effective as having a professional HVAC technician clean them. But if you are feeling up to the task of cleaning your air ducts, then keep on reading!
Before getting into the main topic, let’s take a brief moment to see when to clean air ducts.
When Should You Clean Your Air Ducts?
Most HVAC professionals recommend cleaning your air ducts every three to five years. But some homeowners may have certain factors that increase the accumulation of unwanted dirt and dust. They are as following:
- Pets
- Smokers
- Home renovations
- Older home
- Recent water damage
If you have one of these factors, then you should consider cleaning your air ducts frequently.
Another way to know when to clean air ducts is how you feel in your home. For example, if you have irritated eyes, nose, or throat, it may indicate inadequate air quality. Other symptoms can be headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
While these symptoms are less severe and treatable, prolonged exposure to dirty air ducts may lead to more severe health problems. This is particularly important if you have asthma or allergies, as your symptoms may become more troubled. Without a doubt, you should not hesitate to clean your air ducts. It can become a matter of life and death!
What You Will Need
The difficulty in cleaning your air ducts depends on the size of your home. A bigger home will require more time to get to all of the nooks and crannies, but it’s not impossible. You will need several tools and cleaning equipment before you start.
Vacuum Cleaner
A regular vacuum may get the job done, but keep in mind that the dirt and dust build-up may be very high, which can clog or damage your vacuum. On top of that, you will also need to have all the necessary attachments to reach the air ducts fully. A professional HVAC maintenance specialist usually uses a powerful vacuum capable of efficiently cleaning your air ducts.
Screwdriver
The reason you need a screwdriver is to be able to remove the air duct vents. The screws may be tight if you have never opened the vents before, so keep that in mind. The vents will release dust once opened, so be sure to wear a mask.
Scrub Brush
Since air ducts also trap grime, you will need a sturdy scrub brush to remove it. Be sure to have a long scrub brush to reach all of the surfaces of the air ducts. Be also careful not to scrub too hard to avoid any damage to the ducts.
Broom
As you will see, cleaning air ducts can get messy. Keep a broom nearby to sweep any excess dust that comes off of the vents. A broom will also be handy to wipe off any cobwebs in the air ducts.
Cleaning Cloths
Having cleaning cloths will be especially useful when cleaning air ducts. As dust may settle around your home, so it is best to remove that dust immediately. It’s essential to do so as that dust may have been sitting in your air ducts for years.
How to Clean Your Air Ducts 101
After you have all the tools and cleaning equipment, it’s time to clean your air ducts. Make sure to wear safety equipment, like a mask, goggles, and gloves. Then start by turning off the power to your heating and air conditioning system.
Step One
Unfasten your AC vents and give them a thorough scrubbing to remove grime and dust. If your AC vents are filthy, be sure to wash them with warm water and soap. Some people may even put them in the washer machine for a complete washing.
Step Two
Cleaning the vents is only the start of cleaning your air ducts, and now it’s time for the actual air ducts. Take your long scrub brush and dust along the air duct walls freeing dirt and grime. Reach as far as you can go, which is why it’s crucial to have a long stem brush.
Step Three
After you loosen the grime and dirt, it’s time to clean your air ducts with a vacuum. Use the vacuum along the vent walls, and be sure to use the attachments to reach all of the duct vents’ areas. Remember that a regular home vacuum may not be as effective as a heavy-duty one since the heavy-duty one has more powerful suction.
Step Four
With a damp cloth clean along the vent walls, reach as far as you can in the ducts. If you can, fasten a wet cloth to a more extended handle so you can get more places.
Step Five
Now that you have clean air ducts, you can start to clean around the house. Cleaning your air ducts will create lots of dust in your home. Be sure to open up all of your home’s windows to allow the dust to ventilate outside.
As you can notice, it can be quite a difficult job to do. That’s why most people opt for a professional HVAC cleaning crew.
Now You Know How to Clean Your Air Ducts
As you may have noticed, knowing how to clean your air ducts is essential for your well-being. But doing it yourself is quite the task, as you don’t have all the professional tools needed. That is why you should try to have an HVAC cleaning company to help you with this task.
If you require professional cleaning, contact us today! We have all the necessary equipment to clean your air ducts efficiently and professionally. We have many satisfied customers and a 5-star rating on Google!
Get In Touch
Would you like to schedule a visit with an incredible North Port AC company? Contact Bowersox Air Conditioning & Heating to speak to our team.
Schedule an appointment with us today
