Cleaning air ducts is a significant component of maintaining a healthy home but is often overlooked by homeowners. For people living in Vancouver, BC, where homes tend to remain “closed up” because of rainy, cold weather, clean air ducts are crucial for improving indoor air quality. Dust, dirt, and other contaminants can build up in the air duct system and circulate throughout the house on a daily basis. Learning how frequently to clean your air duct system will help ensure that your home has clean air and that your family remains healthy.
What Are Air Ducts, and Why Do They Matter?
Air ducts serve as the channels between the heating and cooling systems in a home and the individual rooms within that home. Air travels through these ducts several times throughout the day while the heating or cooling system is operating. When these ducts have accumulated dust and other particles, they will release those same materials back into the area where they were previously located.
Having clean air ducts helps your heating and cooling system work efficiently. Clean air ducts provide the ability for air to flow freely through them, thus reducing the amount of dust and other contaminants inside of a home’s environment. When air ducts are not cleaned, it is possible for a room to appear to be dusty even after being vacuumed or dusted. Additionally, the presence of stale air in a duct will create an odour when you turn on the air conditioning or heater.
How Air Ducts Get Dirty Over Time
Daily activities have an accumulation of dust over time onto the ducts, due to the presence of pet dander (such as hair), dust mites, pollen, and small dirt particles entering and settling in the ducts. Moreover, if any demolition/construction would occur (for example, cutting or stripping out of the wall or flooring), dust/dirt that has settled in the air ducts during renovations.
Moisture in the air, especially in Vancouver, BC, comes into play when it comes to your air ducts. In a highly humid area, exposing the inside of your air ducts creates an environment where dirt adheres to the duct wall easily. At times this humidity allows mould and hazes to grow. Mould spawns on duct systems, reducing indoor air quality.
How Often Air Duct Cleaning Is Usually Needed
Generally speaking, most residences in Vancouver, BC, should have air duct cleaning completed approximately every 3-5 years. This ideal cleaning frequency applies to residences that use their HVAC system at a typical rate (e.g., the house is not subject to any major indoor air quality problems). The primary role of regular air duct cleaning is to keep the level of airborne particulates down and improve air flow through the HVAC system.
Certain residences could require more frequent air duct cleaning intervals. Examples of these residences would be homes that have pets, residences whose occupants smoke, or residences with family members who experience allergic responses. Newer and recently renovated residences could also require air duct cleaning sooner due to the presence of construction-related dust and debris.
Signs That Your Air Ducts Need Cleaning
Several signs indicate you may be overdue for air duct cleaning. For example, dust deposits near air vents or dirt building on surfaces after a recently cleaned home may indicate that the airborne particles are accumulating from within the air ducts.
Blocked or clogged air ducts can also contribute to poor heating/cooling airflow throughout your home; uneven temperatures experienced among different areas of your residence may indicate this as well. Lastly, if you experience unappealing odours emanating from your HVAC system during its operation, there is a high likelihood of accumulation of dust/dirt inside the duct system.
Health and Comfort Benefits of Clean Air Ducts
Maintaining clear airways can bring considerable comfort to your family in their homes. In addition, by allowing air to flow freely throughout your space, your heating and cooling system can operate more effectively and create more balanced heating and cooling throughout all areas of your home. When the system is running properly, it helps maintain consistent temperatures in every room of the house while decreasing the amount of stress on the heating and cooling system itself.
Duct cleaning also contributes to improved health, as dust, pollen, mould, and other particles found in dirty ductwork cause allergy symptoms and breathing difficulties. Children, elderly individuals, and individuals suffering from asthma or allergies will all benefit from improved air quality in their home by having cleaner air ducts.
Vancouver Climate and Its Effect on Air Ducts
In Vancouver, the weather is a major factor in how well air ducts operate. Extended periods of rain, along with increased levels of humidity, create a large amount of dampness inside homes. When moisture finds its way into the air duct system, it combines with dust and forms a breeding ground for mould growth.
During colder months, many homeowners choose to leave their windows closed and allow their indoor air to constantly circulate through their home’s air duct system. Because of this, it is crucial to have clean ducts because as stale air continues to circulate, it picks up additional dust and odour particles that are then spread throughout a home.
Professional Air Duct Cleaning vs. Home Cleaning
Cleaning a house regularly will help alleviate dust from home, but this does not include cleaning inside ductwork. Professional commercial cleanings have been developed to utilize specialized equipment that removes debris trapped deep inside the air handler and HVAC system. Professional commercial air duct cleanings will effectively clean venting and create minimal dust dispersal throughout the home environment. Professional cleaners will also inspect and check for damage and moisture issues located within the duct system; this service helps prevent future damage and also keeps your heating and cooling system in good working order.
Choosing the Right Time for Cleaning
The spring and fall months are often considered to be the best time for having your air duct cleaned when you do not have your heating and cooling systems running as much. By performing this type of cleaning in the spring or fall, you are preparing your heating or cooling system for the higher use that will come in the summer or winter months.
If you notice any of the warning signs mentioned above before the spring or fall, it is recommended that you get it cleaned as quickly as possible to prevent any minor issues from becoming a major financial investment.
Trusted Air Duct Cleaning Support
Cactus Carpet Care provides dependable and professional air duct cleaning services. By utilizing effective and safe practices to improve indoor air quality, Cactus Carpet Care is committed to providing residential customers with cleaner, healthier, and more comfortable homes. Cactus Carpet Care is one of the leading providers of air duct services in Vancouver, BC, and is a leader in the industry.
