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If your home is getting dustier, there’s less airflow from HVAC vents, or your energy bill is rising, it may be time to consider air duct cleaning. What’s out of sight can cause significant problems. Contaminants in your ducts can re-circulate in the air and get into AC and heating components. Duct cleaning is a job for experienced professionals. To help you understand its significance, we’ll provide a look at how air ducts are cleaned.
Air Ducts Are Inspected
Before any cleaning begins, your air duct system is carefully inspected. The technician will start by checking all access points. They’ll assess the condition of vents and registers. Mirrors and periscopes can be used to look at areas close to access points, but to see deeper parts of ductwork, a CCTV inspection camera may be used. Flexible cables enable the technician to extend the camera to remote areas where there may be clogs, contamination, infestations, mold, or holes or tears in the ductwork.
Dust and Debris Are Removed
The complexity of professional duct cleaning tools varies considerably. To start, vacuums and rotary brushes may be used. The goal here is to suck out and remove excess dirt. But this often isn’t enough to fully clean a complex system of HVAC ducts.
Negative Pressure Is Applied
Negative pressure is a major asset in professional duct cleaning. To create it, contractors must set up a vacuum collection device, which may be portable or truck-mounted. A large hose will be connected to and inserted into a duct, near the air handler, and the connection point is sealed. Adhesive covers are then used to seal the registers. The vacuum unit is turned on, creating negative pressure and sucking particles into the collection device.
The process is performed separately for the supply and return sides of the HVAC system.
Each Duct Is Cleaned One-by-One
While the system is under negative pressure, each register is uncovered, one at a time. This is how air ducts are cleaned the right way. A certified ductwork cleaning contractor will spend an adequate amount of time at each register. Compressed air tools, rotating brushes, and vacuum cleaners are often used in combination to thoroughly clean each duct. The technician is careful to fully clean duct walls of dirt, dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any type of buildup.
The Rest of the HVAC System Is Cleaned
In addition to cleaning or changing the air filter, the technician should tend to other parts of the HVAC system. Thoroughly cleaning the evaporator coil, blower motor, and drain pan helps ensure there are no other contributors to air quality issues. It also helps increase the system’s efficiency and can prolong the life of complex equipment.
The System Is Inspected During a Final Walk-Through
The air ducts are re-inspected to make sure the technician didn’t miss anything. They will verify the ducts were cleaned thoroughly. During this inspection, a checklist is often followed to make sure all work adheres to applicable standards.
Contact Us If You Have Any Questions
We hope our insights into how air ducts are cleaned are helpful. Cleaning ducts is one way to keep your HVAC system running efficiently. It’s also important properly size, insulate, and seal ductwork. Our certified technicians can address these needs and provide duct replacement if necessary. Contact Tri County Air at 941-841-8384 with your questions or to schedule an inspection and consultation.