Having dirty HVAC ductwork in your Amherst, NY home can take a major toll on your indoor air quality (IAQ). It can also increase indoor humidity and subject your heating and cooling equipment to tremendous stress. Although the need for professional duct cleaning is sometimes debated, it’s a critical step in optimizing the performance of your entire HVAC system. Read on to find out how routine duct cleaning can create a noticeable decrease in your monthly energy bill.
Resolve Costly Air Pressure Issues
One of the surest signs that you have dirty HVAC air ducts is the buildup of lint-like material around your HVAC air vents, registers, or grilles. These accumulations indicate equally large buildups of pet hair, dirt, dander, and other airborne particulates at the interior of your ducts, and in or around your actual heating and cooling equipment. It’s also a likely sign that you either have an extremely dirty air filter or had one in the recent past.
Too much debris in HVAC air ducts creates internal air pressure problems. Air conditioners and furnaces have to work harder to move and distribute conditioned air throughout all stages of the heating and cooling process. As a result, more energy is used and home energy bills rise.
Scheduling air duct cleaning service about once every two to five years will keep your entire HVAC system running smoothly. It can also prevent a lot of wear-related repair issues and extend the lifespan of your furnace and air conditioner.
Ensure Optimal Humidity Control
Excess air pressure and stymied airflow also contribute to excess humidity. This could mean having buildups of condensation on your windows and drywall as well as a muggy or clammy-feeling in your home overall. Excess humidity additionally creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew development. In these conditions, not only do HVAC systems use more energy to regulate indoor temperatures, but they also work both longer and harder at regulating indoor moisture. Clearing out buildups of allergens and other contaminants by scheduling professional air duct cleaning can save you money here as well.
Prevent or Eliminate the Need for Supplementary HVAC Accessories
With excessively dirty air ducts, increases in your home energy bill might not be the very first thing that you notice. Dirty air ducts can create an immediate change in your overall comfort and IAQ. If you’ve never had your air ducts cleaned before, you and other building residents could be dealing with various problems.
Some of these include the following:
- Persistent, dry coughs
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Sleep troubles
- Stuffy or irritated nasal passages
If people in your household suffer from asthma or allergies, they may experience more frequent attacks. Unfortunately, when homeowners hastily apply IAQ solutions, they often skip caring for their HVAC air ducts. Purchasing freestanding air purifiers or portable humidification or dehumidification equipment might provide limited, short-term relief for these and other IAQ-related symptoms. However, running these units will hike your energy bills up while failing to resolve the underlying problem.
When our team at Heatwave Heating & Cooling provides indoor air quality services, we start by making sure that all aspects of HVAC systems are clean and functioning as they should. We often recommend starting with air duct cleaning, filter changes, and air register maintenance. Then, we advise clients who still need additional IAQ support to consider installing integrated, whole-house HVAC system accessories. Whole-house air purifiers, dehumidifiers, air scrubbers, and other similar units work seamlessly with clean ductwork. They function more efficiently, and they won’t be as taxing on your home energy bill. Best of all, even without adding them into the equation, cleaning out your HVAC air ducts will still improve the IAQ of your home.
Choosing and installing the right HVAC equipment for your home is the first step in ensuring excellent performance and reasonable home energy bills. Keeping this equipment well-maintained is the next. However, although the need for professional duct cleaning is often overlooked, this service plays a critical role in optimizing HVAC efficiency, protecting equipment, and preserving human health.
We’re all about helping residents of Amherst save money. We provide air conditioner and heater installation, maintenance, and repair services. We also offer indoor air quality support and duct cleaning. If it’s time to have the air ducts in your home professionally maintained, call us at Heatwave Heating & Cooling today to schedule an appointment!
