Failure to clean your ducts is a sure way to spend a lot of money on energy bills, and also a welcome invitation to a horde of respiratory problems into your home. However, it makes no sense to spend a small fortune on duct cleaning every now and then. Apart from the recommended annual inspection, you don’t need to spend any money on duct cleaning through the rest of the year, unless you observe the following:
Fixing torn or damaged flexible ducts immediately
Ducts located in crawl spaces and the attic are sometimes made of flexible materials that may move from time to time when the system is in use. With time, these small movements may cause the duct material to kink, sag and possibly tear.
When they are torn, they will not only affect the efficiency of the system but also attract a lot of dust, dirt, and debris, forcing you to clean it. However, with regular inspection, you can discover these tears and have them fixed in good time to avoid all of the associated potential problems. This will save you a lot of money that you would have spent on air duct cleaning services.
Secure all the ducts above the floor
Flexible ducts in crawl spaces or attics may sometimes be left dangerously on the floor. This makes them easily accessible to rodents and water that may cause damage in a variety of ways. For such, you need to secure them above the floor so that you leave no room for water or rodents to cause damage.
Ensure proper insulation
Loose insulation within your ductwork should be of great concern. It will not only inflate your energy bills but can also cause a lot of dirt to access the duct system. When the latter happens, you may be compelled to spend money on air vent cleaning services, yet this is something that you could have easily prevented had you known the existence of the loose insulation.
Therefore, make it a habit of inspecting the insulation of the ductworks in places such as the attic and ensure that they are in good order. You don’t need the services of an expert to do this, yet it will save you a lot of money in the long run.
Regular inspection
Never forgo the recommended annual inspection for your HVAC system. This will not only pick out and solve potential future problems, but it is also at this time when you need thorough duct cleaning. Perhaps this is the only duct cleaning you need to keep your system in tip top shape for the remainder of the year.