Tips on how to clear air ducts your self : HVAC Options

Your ductwork is a vital piece of your HVAC system. Duct cleansing may also help enhance HVAC efficiency and residential air high quality.

This piece will assessment the advantages of duct cleansing and supply an summary of easy methods to clear air ducts your self. 

Why clear air ducts your self? 

In keeping with HomeAdvisor, it prices a median of $376 to have your air ducts professionally cleaned. The worth could range primarily based on components like accessibility and life-style elements (e.g., you probably have pets or people who smoke in the home).

DIY air duct cleansing will prevent cash because it includes instruments that the majority owners have already got. It will probably additionally assist extend the lifetime of your air conditioner and furnace. It eliminates mud within the residence and should enhance air high quality for your loved ones.

Is duct cleansing a waste of cash?

Skilled duct cleansing is worth it. Specialists have instruments that may attain deep into your ductwork. You gained’t be capable to entry all your ducts with DIY cleansing.

Moreover, duct cleansing firms can determine and treatment potential points in your ductwork, together with leaks or blockages.

Duct leaks and obstructions can harm your total HVAC system with out fast consideration. They could additionally lead to elevated utility payments.

Cleansing your air ducts your self can also be helpful. You are able to do a DIY cleansing between skilled cleanings to maintain your system operating easily. 

Air duct cleansing: do it your self

Cleansing your air ducts your self is an easy course of involving instruments you in all probability personal already. The job could take a number of hours, relying on the dimensions of your property and the variety of air registers.

Instruments for DIY air duct cleansing

Earlier than you start, collect the required instruments. These embody:

You might also select to spend money on:

DIY air duct cleansing steps

1. Loosen up mud

If in case you have seen ductwork (in your attic or crawlspace, for instance), evenly faucet the surface with the deal with of your cleansing brush. This can assist loosen up mud and dust.

Flip your thermostat to “fan” and “on.” Let it run this fashion for a couple of minutes. The air will push any mud nearer to the registers the place you may attain it for cleansing.

2. Flip off your HVAC system

The only manner to verify all the pieces is off is by way of your electrical field. Flip off the breakers related along with your HVAC gear, together with the furnace and AC condenser.

Change your thermostat to “off” as effectively.

3. Take away your vent grates

They could merely come out. Or you might have to unscrew them first. As soon as the grates are off, cowl the vent opening with a paper towel. If in case you have vents on a ceiling or a wall, you need to use painter’s tape to safe the paper towel.

Overlaying the vent opening with a paper towel will stop mud and particles from coming into your rooms as you clear.

If in case you have completely different dimension grates, use a Sharpie to mark the within with a quantity. Write the identical quantity someplace you may see it throughout the vent. This fashion, you’ll be capable to simply match the grate to the proper vent in a while.

Be sure you additionally take away and clear the grate in your air return. It’s usually bigger than the opposite grates round your property.

4. Clear your vent grates

In case your grates are plastic or steel, load all of them into your dishwasher (prime shelf for plastic) and clear them that manner. Guarantee they’re utterly dry earlier than changing them.

In case your grates are wood or one other materials that’s not dishwasher secure, clear them within the sink. Run chilly water over them and scrub the dust and mud off. Dry them instantly to forestall warping.

5. Clear your vents

Begin with one vent in your house. Take away the paper towel cowl.

Insert your cleansing brush and jiggle it round to knock off something caught to the insides of the vent like spiderwebs or mud bunnies. We advocate utilizing a rest room brush due to its lengthy brush deal with. However commit the comb to vent cleansing solely. Don’t use a brush you’ve already used to scrub the bathroom (😬).

Insert your vacuum wand into the vent as deep as it is going to go. Vacuum out all particles.

Utilizing a dampened rag or paper towel, wipe out the within of the vent so far as you may attain. You need to use faucet water or your favourite multipurpose cleaner. 

Re-cover the vent with a paper towel while you end. Proceed this step till you’ve cleaned all of the vents in your home.

6. Clear your air return

Take out the filter in your air return. Throw it away.

Use your cleansing brush, vacuum, and paper towels to scrub out the air return. Solely go so far as you may safely attain.

Change the filter with a recent new one.

7. Return your grates

As soon as your grates are clear and dry, take away the paper towel masking every vent. Change the grates. You might want to make use of a screwdriver to safe them.

8. Clear your furnace blower compartment

Plenty of mud accumulates on this space. To entry it, take away the duvet in your furnace. You might must unscrew it with a screwdriver.

Take the furnace filter out and eliminate it. Use your cleansing brush to take away cobwebs and different stuck-on dust from the compartment.

Vacuum out the blower compartment along with your hose attachment. Then clear it out with a moist paper towel. Once more, you need to use plain water or your favourite multipurpose cleaner. Should you can attain the furnace fan, clear that as effectively.

Change the filter with a brand new one. Shut and safe the furnace cowl.

9. Clear your air condenser

Try our step-by-step information for cleansing your air conditioner. 

10. Flip your system again on

Take pleasure in your recent ductwork!

Sound like an excessive amount of work? You’ll be able to at all times name a professional to get your ductwork spic-and-span. 

Advantages of unpolluted air ducts 

Fewer allergens

Preserving your air ducts clear reduces the variety of allergens circulating in your house. This contains pet dander, pollen, and mud.

Unattractive to animals

Generally, rodents and birds could make their manner into your ductwork. Mud and particles present good nest-building supplies for them. Clear air ducts are inhospitable – these pests will go away and discover shelter elsewhere.

Moreover, air ducts can host insect infestations. These are a lot much less prone to occur when your ducts are clear and dry.

Mould prevention

Clear, sealed ductwork retains mould out. In case your ducts are soiled with leaky joints, mould can flourish.

Mould inhalation is a possible well being hazard. And it smells unhealthy.

Don’t try to scrub your air ducts your self in case you suspect mould rising in your ductwork. The Environmental Safety Company recommends hiring an expert for HVAC mould elimination. 

Decrease utility payments

Clogged ducts make your HVAC gear work more durable than it must. Your system can perform at max efficiency with clear air ducts, thus decreasing your utility payments.

You might also get monetary savings by proactively discovering and fixing potential furnace and AC restore points within the cleansing course of.

Extended HVAC system life

Upkeep is critical to maintain your HVAC system at its finest. Duct cleansing ought to be a part of your common AC upkeep.

Remember to schedule HVAC system checkups yearly. We advocate having your ductwork cleaned professionally each 3-5 years. Between these appointments, clear your air ducts your self to make sure your HVAC gear lasts so long as attainable.