Ductwork is the hidden element of your HVAC system that circulates the warm and cool air throughout the home. It is a hidden element of your HVAC system as most of the ductwork is hidden in the walls and floors and places that are not frequently used or accessed. And unfortunately, out of sight often means out of mind. It is important to make ductwork services a routine part of your air conditioning repair in Los Gatos, CA.
How Do A/C Ducts Work?
The duct system is the passageway for two main types of airflow: supply air that gets drawn in from the outside and return air that is inside air getting pushed back outside. This functionality of supply and return is how air can be circulated throughout the home. The duct system prevents air contamination to help protect the HVAC system and ensure you have a more comfortable and healthy atmosphere inside the home. This is why it is vital to keep the air ducts well-maintained. Otherwise, ducts can be a major source of energy loss and air contamination.
Do I Need Ductwork Cleaning?
Many HVAC experts agree that ductwork cleaning can be hit and miss. The filters on your HVAC system will keep a lot of dirt and grime out of the ductwork. That is why replacing these filters when they get clogged is such a necessary part of HVAC maintenance. Much of the dirt that does get into the ducts adheres directly to the metal surface and doesn’t get released into the air. And sometimes cleaning the ductwork can actually release more pollutants into the air, at least for a time.
That said, you should think about getting your ductwork professionally cleaned and serviced if:
- There is extensive and visible mold growth inside the ducts or on other parts of the HVAC system
- Ductwork gest infested with vermin (i.e. insects and rodents)
- Supply registers release dust and debris particles into the air
- Air ducts are clogged with excessive dust and debris
How Often Should I Get Ductwork Services?
Conditions in every home are different. And it is impossible to generalize when air duct cleaning will be most beneficial for each home. This isn’t the type of maintenance you need to perform every couple of months. Most ductwork can go several years without cleaning and still operate just fine. But still, you don’t want to entirely neglect your ductwork and never get the ducts cleaned.
If, after a visual inspection, you see no indication of large deposits of dust or mold and no one in your household suffers from severe and unexplained allergies or symptoms, then duct cleaning is probably unnecessary. Conversely, if you do see large deposits of dust in your system and family members are experiencing unusual symptoms, then you should consider ductwork cleaning more seriously. At most, a ductwork cleaning could help and will improve the safety and efficiency of your heating and cooling system. At the very least, it shouldn’t be detrimental, provided the cleaning is properly performed by a professional.
Have more questions about ductwork services or other air conditioning repair in Los Gatos, CA? Call our technicians today and have your questions answered by a trained HVAC professional.
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