Can Duct Cleaning Help Manage My Energy Costs?

At Trio Heating & Air, we realize there’s much to know about duct cleaning; it can even help manage your energy costs. Our team cleans air ducts and provides other air quality services in The Greater San Francisco Bay Area. The cleaning methods we use are safe, non-toxic, and effective. They reduce the amount of energy your HVAC system uses in several ways and can also increase its lifespan.

How Does Duct Cleaning Work?

Having your air ducts cleaned professionally provides a means of source removal. Instead of filtering dust, dirt, or debris, it physically removes contaminants using advanced vacuum equipment that puts the system under negative pressure. Compressed air nozzles, brushes, and air whips help loosen and remove debris from inside ducts. Once these materials are broken free, they are pulled into the vacuum system.

How Duct Cleaning Reduces Energy Consumption

To understand how cleaning ductwork can control energy usage, let’s look at the potential impacts of neglecting dirty ducts. Dirt accumulation and other contamination can cause the following issues in your home:

• Reduced airflow in your HVAC system.
• Strain on your AC or heater as it tries to compensate.
• Uneven heating and cooling throughout your home.
• Increased wear and tear on HVAC equipment.
• A decrease in energy efficiency.

Air ducts play a significant role in how your HVAC system regulates indoor temperature. Any issue that causes your heating and cooling system to work harder contributes to increased energy consumption. Various issues can cause your energy bill to go up unexpectedly. But duct cleaning can manage your energy costs in the following ways:

Smoother Airflow

A thin coating of dust, pollen, grime, debris, or mold can disrupt the flow of air in ducts. You don’t need a full blockage to cause problems. Increased friction causes your HVAC system to work harder to deliver enough air at the right temperature to different rooms. Duct cleaning removes the materials that cause airflow issues, improving system efficiency and reducing energy costs.

Duct Leaks Can Be Sealed

While cleaning ductwork, a technician can perform an inspection to find duct leaks. These can come from cracks, tears, and loose connections. Sealing these leaks reduces air leakage, which can waste a substantial amount of energy. Depending on the size and number of leaks, 30% or more of the conditioned air can escape into the attic, crawl space, or other unconditioned parts of your home, causing your energy bill to spike.

Improved HVAC System Efficiency

If your ducts are dirty, HVAC components can become dirty, too. Debris can build up on coils, insulating them and impeding heat transfer. All the components of your heating and cooling system are interconnected, so if one’s performance is hindered, the system works less efficiently. Therefore, by removing debris, duct cleaning improves efficiency because your HVAC system can run more smoothly.

Improved Indoor Air Quality

A duct cleaning service can improve indoor air quality (IAQ). Better IAQ means fewer pollutants to reduce your HVAC unit’s efficiency. It also contributes to a healthier living space. The same pollutants that coat air ducts—dust, allergens, mold, etc.—can circulate in the air and cause allergies or illness. That’s one more reason to schedule a duct cleaning and find ways to control energy costs.

Increased HVAC System Lifespan

Keeping energy costs down requires improving HVAC system efficiency. When efficiency is improved via duct cleaning and other forms of maintenance, you can reduce wear and tear on the system. This means well-maintained components are less likely to malfunction and break down. The need for premature replacement is also less likely if you schedule regular maintenance (this can include cleaning and sanitizing air ducts).

When to Schedule a Duct Cleaning

The guidelines for cleaning air ducts aren’t as tight as for scheduling annual HVAC maintenance. Nonetheless, it’s a good idea for a technician to inspect ductwork once a year. It allows them to determine if dust and debris are accumulating. More comprehensive cleanings are recommended every three to five years by professionals and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

However, you may want to consider more frequent duct cleanings or schedule one sooner rather than later in the following circumstances:

• You have pets or live in a high-pollen area.
• Members of your family experience increased allergy symptoms or respiratory issues. 
• A significant buildup of dust and debris.
• There are signs of mold or other contamination.
• A home construction or renovation project was just completed.

Contact Trio Heating & Air

If you live in Santa Clara County or San Mateo County, you can rely on our licensed technicians to keep your air ducts in peak shape. Trio Heating & Air provides high-quality duct cleaning and other indoor air quality services using the latest tools and technology. We also install whole-home air purification systems. Contact us today to learn more or request an appointment.