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Your Ducts Need Love Too

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Your home's HVAC system has many complex components that you know are important. If your compressor or furnace is on the fritz, it is immediately obvious that something is wrong. Of course, there are maintenance items to consider as well. You know that you need to regularly change your AC filter and inspect your outdoor unit for issues, but what about your ducts? This key part of any HVAC system is often left neglected and unloved. It's easy to forget that these humble airways require a little TLC from time to time as well.

The Importance of Your Ducts

The ductwork in your home is responsible for distributing warm and cool air to every room in your house. Without these passageways, your HVAC system wouldn't be of much use at all. They aren't just simple tunnels for air, however. Your ductwork has been carefully designed to carry the proper amount of airflow throughout your home, and the rest of your HVAC system relies on your ducts being in good working order.

Dirty Ducts Are an Insidious Problem

Unlike issues with the other major components of your HVAC system, ducts that are in desperate need of cleaning may not be immediately obvious. If the problem is not yet too bad, then you may simply notice that your allergies are worse when you are indoors. This can happen as your ducts pick up and recirculate allergens, microorganisms, and other undesirable debris throughout your home. As the problem progresses, you may also begin to notice that the air flowing from your ducts smells stale or bad. This is usually a sure sign that a cleaning is in order.

Dirty Ducts Can Even Damage the Rest of Your System

Unfortunately, the threat of especially dirty ductwork doesn't end with allergies and bad smells. Remember, your ducts were carefully chosen and sized to allow your HVAC system to efficiently heat and cool your home. The dirtier your ducts are, the more efficient airflow through them is impeded. This results in the rest of your system working inefficiently to make up the slack, and it can put an undue amount of stress on components such as your AC compressor. Left unaddressed, this can have similar effects to a clogged filter and can even lead to overworked components failing.

Ducts Should Be Cleaned Every Few Years

Duct cleaning is a surprisingly difficult job that is best left to professionals, but it luckily doesn't need to be performed too often. For an average home, you should have your ductwork cleaned at least once every five years. If you or someone else in your home suffers from allergies, consider having your ducts cleaned about twice as often as you normally would. This is also a good rule of thumb if your house is unusually dusty or if you have multiple pets. However often you choose to have it done, duct cleaning is a great way to improve your air quality and keep your HVAC equipment running smoothly and efficiently.

For more information about duct cleaning services, contact a local company like Prestige Air Conditioning & Heating


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