Have you cleaned your air ducts lately?
If there was something in your home that could easily make your family and friends sick, you would be sure to keep it clean or somehow make it better. Often, homeowners don’t realize the importance of keeping the air ducts clean in their home.
It is easy for many to forget that air ducts need to be cleaned on a regular basis. After all, air ducts aren’t very visible in many homes.
Low visibility, keeps air ducts out of sight and out of mind. As long as the air ducts are doing their job reasonably well by carrying cool air through the home in the summertime and distributing warm air during the winter, homeowners tend to ignore them.
It is not wise for homeowners to disregard cleaning their air ducts. Paying no attention to the air ducts in your home can lead to many problems.
If not noticed many of these problems could end up costing you a great deal of money in the long run. A regular cleaning of air ducts can help homeowners avoid several difficulties that may be lurking in their air ducts.
In this article, we will discuss the main reasons why it is important to have the air ducts cleaned on a regular basis.
As air travels through the ducts, dirt and dust also make their way through. Over time these debris accumulate.
Debris often includes pieces of cotton lint, paper fibers, and other materials. These pieces tend to build up in the junctures of two pieces of ductwork.
This buildup is considered to be a fire hazard, especially when the air ducts are getting warm from being used. This only becomes a more dangerous problem when homeowners fail to get regular cleanings.
The debris that accumulates in the air ducts over time can cause some ducts to become clogged, either fully or partially. When ductwork is clogged, it is much less efficient.
When an air duct is less efficient it tends to use a great deal more energy. This increases the homeowner’s expenses for energy and will show up on their bills, not to mention, a lack of efficiency is not good for the environment.
When ductwork becomes clogged, the machinery producing the air will have to work harder in order to force the air through the ducts. This means that it is much more likely that machinery parts may begin to fail.
It is likely that clogged machinery will also decrease each individual parts lifespan. The homeowner may have to replace parts like igniters, thermostats, or even motors.
Often the parts will need to be replaced far earlier than the homeowner would have needed had they gotten regular air duct cleanings. Ducts that are in need of cleaning make the home less comfortable to live in.
The temperature is not quite where it should be because it is being trapped in the ducts. This is because ducts tend to hold in dampness during humid weather and hold in heat during cold weather.
In other words, the debris absorbs any dampness or any heat and holds onto it inside the ducts so that the air is not felt as much throughout the home. If exterior vent outlets are not cleaned and maintained on a regular basis, it is likely that they will become popular entryways for insects, rodents, and birds.
These insects and animals may even climb into the ductwork and die there, adding to the clogged debris. Cleaning air ducts may help prevent or get rid of some health issues or sicknesses.
Respiratory problems such as asthma and other problems like allergies can be helped or completely resolved with regular air duct cleanings. People who suffer from allergies may find that their symptoms become worse as time goes on if their home’s ductwork isn’t regularly cleaned.
This is because common allergens, like dust mites and pollen, gather in the congested ducts and are trapped there which are then spread throughout the home through the circulated air. The air is circulated throughout the house when the air conditioning or the heat is turned on spreading dust all over the place.
Certain types of bacteria can thrive in ductwork as well, causing people to have issues with respiratory problems, colds, or other sickness. With all of these potential difficulties that can occur from ignoring air ducts, the importance of regular air duct cleaning should be quite evident to every homeowner.
Regular cleaning of the ductwork will help make for a healthy home and keep your home running in an efficient manner.
Open and Inviting Kitchen Remodel
Mark of Excellence Remodeling has recently completed another dramatic home improvement transformation. This project in Red Bank, New Jersey included a new kitchen remodel featuring wood cabinets with two separate finishes – painted and stained, hardwood floors, new window and patio door, updated lighting. Also the living room and dining room were combined as one room after removing the center bearing wall, installing new flooring, and installing new Andersen windows in a previously solid wall.
As customary for Mark of Excellence Remodeling, Jason Parsons, design + build specialist, created video slide show set to music was made to illustrate the transformation from existing to design and development, through demolition, and installation to the final views. These videos, 21 currently, are posted and Youtube and linked to our website. They have proven to be a great way for clients to preview the craftsmanship and attention to detail that Mark of Excellence Remodeling has been providing since 1987. Clients enjoy having their projects chronicled and showcased. This also makes it easy for them to share the experience with family and friends.
We invite you to watch: Kitchen Remodel – Open and Inviting
