How To Tell If You Had Your Ducts Cleaned Properly
A dirty HVAC system can reduce airflow, which can reduce efficiency by as much as 15% according to energystar.gov. While there are many components and pieces to check, clean, measure, and inspect, many people have questions about duct cleaning.
Read along with H&S as we find out how to tell if you had your ducts cleaned properly.
HVAC Components Which Need Inspection & Cleaning
This is the official H&S Heating & Air Conditioning checklist for inspection and cleaning on your HVAC system. Take a gander – there’s a lot to do every year!
- Clean burners.
- Clean the burner compartment.
- Clean the blower motor compartment and wheel.
- Clean safeties.
- Clean the ignition assembly.
- Check the pressure hoses.
- Clean / check condensate and hoses.
- Check the gas pressure.
- Inspect the heat exchanger with a camera.
- Clean the indoor A/C coil.
- Test refrigerant levels.
- Check the contactor and capacitors.
- Check the furnace filter and change, if needed.
- Visually inspect ductwork.
- Lubricate motors, if needed.
- Check thermostat operations.
- Test the equipment’s efficacy.
- Test CO2 levels.
Meanwhile, there are maintenance items that need to be taken care of monthly or quarterly that you can take care of on your own:
- Change the furnace’s air filter every 30 days. Call us for your filter needs, or stop by the shop.
- Clean your Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) of dust, pet dander and hair, carpet fibers, etc., every two to three months. The unit must be unplugged and shut down every three months by you, or it will shut itself down.
- Change your humidifier pad. Perform regular, routine maintenance by checking the pad monthly and changing it when it’s gummed up.
What To Watch For To Have Your Ducts Cleaned Properly
When you hire a professional to clean your ducts, they’ll be doing three things: Breaking Contaminants Loose, Collecting Contaminants, & Disinfecting/Deodorizing.
Breaking Contaminants Loose
During cleaning, agitation is needed to break contaminants free from throughout the duct system. This can be done with brushes, air whips, or compressed air nozzles, etc.
Collecting Contaminants
Meanwhile, the system should be under negative pressure to make sure any contaminants come out toward the professional rather than inward toward the living spaces. Contaminants like dust, mold, and other particles are collected and removed from your home.
Disinfecting / Deodorizing
Antimicrobial chemicals like sanitizers, disinfectants, and deodorizers can be applied to ductwork to control odor and address contamination. Only EPA approved chemicals can be used, and should only be applied after cleaning has been done.
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