Having your home’s air ducts cleaned can provide great benefits. Not only do dirty ducts have a major negative impact on indoor air quality, but they can also decrease the efficiency of your HVAC system and make it less effective at heating and cooling. In most cases, it will take our experienced HVAC team somewhere between two and five hours to clean your entire duct system, depending on how large your house is.
How Professional Duct Cleaning Works
Professional duct cleaning involves more than just vacuuming out visible dust. It’s a multi-step process that uses specialized tools and a methodical approach that reaches every part of your home’s ductwork.
Accessing the Duct System
Our technicians rely on industrial-grade equipment designed specifically for HVAC cleaning to clean your home’s forced air system effectively. In most cases, we’ll cut a small access hole into the main trunk line of the ductwork. This allows us to connect a high-powered vacuum hose directly to the system. While this might sound invasive, the opening is sealed afterward using a metal patch and mastic. Mastic is a durable, paste-like sealant that creates an airtight bond capable of withstanding both temperature changes and air pressure within the system.
Loosening Dust and Debris
After gaining access, our technicians insert a rotating brush with a long, flexible shaft into the ducts. As the brush moves through your ductwork, it dislodges built-up dust, pet hair, cobwebs, and other debris that may have accumulated over time. This step is essential for loosening stubborn contaminants and ensures a thorough cleaning when the vacuum is turned on.
Sealing Vents to Create Negative Pressure
Before activating the vacuum, we seal all supply and return vents throughout your home. This step creates negative air pressure inside the duct system, which is critical for pulling debris from every part of the network. Without sealing the vents, suction would be uneven and limited to areas near the vacuum. Proper sealing also prevents dust from escaping into your living space during cleaning.
Final Vacuuming and System Inspection
Once the system is sealed and the debris loosened, we power on the vacuum to extract the dust and other contaminants. Our vacuums are equipped with HEPA filters capable of capturing 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns. This is effective at trapping fine dust, pollen, and even some bacteria. After vacuuming, we inspect the ductwork using a camera to verify the results and ensure nothing has been missed. Finally, we seal the access hole securely to restore the integrity of your duct system.
Post-Cleaning Recommendations
Once cleaning is complete, we’ll go over any issues discovered during the process. This step helps you understand the overall condition of your forced air system. For instance, if we find poorly sealed joints or sections of ductwork that are damaged or crushed, we recommend resealing or replacement. We can also suggest ways to improve airflow and system performance, such as insulating ductwork in unconditioned areas like attics and crawlspaces. These insights help ensure your home stays comfortable and energy-efficient long after the duct cleaning.
How Often Should You Have Your Ducts Cleaned?
Unlike regular HVAC maintenance, duct cleaning generally isn’t something that needs to be done annually. Instead, most homes benefit from this service every three to five years. However, if you or your family members have respiratory conditions like allergies or asthma, you may want to consider having it done more often.
Most experts also recommend scheduling a duct cleaning service after finishing any renovations involving removing and replacing drywall. Drywall work is messy and creates a large amount of dust. Even if the workers try to clean up as they go, much of this dust still gets spread around and eventually ends up in your ducts.
Contact Your Local Professionals
Since 2005, Healthy Home Heating & Cooling LLC has been a trusted provider of heating, air conditioning, and indoor air quality services in De Pere and the surrounding areas. Our team offers expert air duct cleaning using advanced equipment and proven methods to ensure the job is done right. We also provide a variety of solutions to enhance your home’s air quality, including air purification and humidity control systems. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our experienced technicians.
