What is Air Duct Cleaning and Its Benefit

Your home’s air duct system works every time you use your HVAC system, moving warm and cool air through each room. But over time, and inside your home’s ducts, bits of debris and dust can accumulate. TRIO Heating and Air has created a little informational guide on what air duct cleaning is in Santa Clara and why it’s important for your health and comfort. Read below to learn more.

What Is Air Duct Cleaning

Air duct cleaning is the process of removing dust, allergens, debris, and other contaminants from your home’s duct system. Our professional team uses high-tech equipment, like specialized brushes, high-power vacuums, and compressed air tools, to get rid of the buildup throughout your ducts.

The process usually involves cleaning the supply and return air ducts, registers, diffusers, heat exchangers, fan housing, and much more. Air duct cleaning isn’t just about cleaning the visible vents you see in your walls and ceilings, but the full network of ducts running through your attic, crawl spaces, and walls.

This process goes way beyond what a homeowner can do with a vacuum. It’s also important to capture the contaminants rather than blast them out and let them move through your home, so using a professional air duct cleaning technician that is certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) is best.

Why Air Duct Cleaning Matters for Santa Clara Homes

Air ducts are the passageway for clean air to arrive at your home, and more often than not, they are contaminated with dust and other debris, which may trigger health issues within your family. Think asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions.

Santa Clara’s climate makes proper air duct cleaning even more important. Our region has dry summers that bring significant amounts of dust and pollen, especially during the wildfire season.

Many homes in Santa Clara, built decades ago, might not have undergone professional duct cleaning. Just think, you could be breathing in dirty, decades-old, dusty air.

Signs Your Air Ducts Might Need Cleaning

It’s good to do an air duct inspection, and knowing the signs your air ducts need cleaning will help HVAC technicians find the dust accumulation and, overall, improve your indoor air quality. Below are several telltale signs:

• Dust in air vents
• Dust or debris coming out of your HVAC system on startup
• Dust build-up throughout the home, even with consistent cleaning and dusting
• Musty or stale odors coming from vents whenever the HVAC system is running
• Home occupants are constantly coughing, sneezing, or wheezing
• Some stuffy-feeling rooms throughout the home

So, how often should air ducts be cleaned? We recommend professional duct cleaning every three to five years, but every two to three years if you have pets or have someone in the household with respiratory conditions.

Typically, homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $700 for professional air duct cleaning. The factors that contribute to air duct cleaning cost are home size, number of air ducts, and the amount of dust and debris buildup.

Key Benefits of Professional Air Duct Cleaning

There are loads of benefits of air duct cleaning. One of the first signs of having a clean duct will be the considerably fresher and dirt-free air. You can literally feel the difference. Below are more benefits:

• Massive energy bill savings: Once all of the dust and debris are gone, your HVAC system will need to work less hard to push air through your ducts. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by a percentage of 20%, lowering your energy bill.
• Reduced fire hazard: Dirty ducts are a fire hazard. Garbage and debris in ventilation vents are flammable and may pose a fire hazard. Air duct vent cleaning reduces the risk of a fire.
• Better health and productivity: Dirty ducts and air contain harmful contaminants that can make you sick, especially people with respiratory problems. Cleaning your ducts brings fresh air, which is great for human productivity.
• Removing odors: Is there an unpleasant smell lingering around the house that you can’t seem to place? That irritating smell could be coming from your air duct vents. It could even be mold, which a professional duct cleaning service will clean out.

How Dirty Ducts Impact HVAC Performance

A dirty ventilation system can lead to clogged air conditioner coils, and this may cause your system to stop working before its lifespan. Restricted air flow creates pressure imbalances, which can cause air leaks. Your system must run longer cycles to achieve the same heating or cooling effect, consuming more energy and experiencing increased wear. We’ve found that approximately nine out of 10 systems stop functioning because of improper maintenance.

How Air Duct Cleaning Improves Indoor Air Quality

The Environmental Protection Agency reports that indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Americans are known to spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, so the air you breathe at home matters tremendously.

Clean air ducts mean your air filtration system can work more effectively, pushing clean air through your home. If you have a heavy build-up of debris and dust, even high-quality air filters can't catch everything. Starting an HVAC cycle with clean vents and ducts allows the filter to do its job properly, capturing dust and contaminants before they build up.

Can Air Duct Cleaning Reduce Allergens and Dust?

Air duct cleaning is one of the most effective ways to reduce allergens like pollen and dust in your home. Homes with pets are also more prone to other forms of dirt and pet dander that can silently build up in air ducts.

After an air duct cleaning, you will have cleaner air, have to dust surfaces less frequently, and notice less dust in the sunlight coming through your windows.

Bundle Duct Cleaning With IAQ and Thermostat Services

TRIO’s HVAC duct cleaning services bundle duct cleaning with other indoor air quality services. After you have cleaned your air ducts, it makes sense to keep them that way by investing in air filtration systems that will continue to improve your indoor air quality.

UV air purifiers can be installed in your ductwork to prevent mold and bacteria growth, keeping your system cleaner longer. Whole-home humidifiers or dehumidifiers will address moisture levels that affect indoor air quality and prevent mold growth.

Upgrading to a smart thermostat during your duct cleaning service will help you improve your HVAC system's performance. Modern thermostats learn your preferences and adjust settings automatically for maximum efficiency.

Contact TRIO Heating & Air for Air Duct Cleaning Services

Don’t decide to live in a dusty and musty house. If you are ready to breathe easier and have cleaner air in your Santa Clara home, give TRIO Heating, Air & Plumbing a call. Discover the difference clean air makes on your health, comfort, and energy bills.