Clean air ducts help furnace work better
When homeowners turn on their furnace on the first chilly night of the fall, they may notice an unusual odor in the house.
The odor is usually caused by dirt and dust clogging up the heating system’s ducts. It could be a sign that the ductwork is overdue to be professionally cleaned.
Odor isn’t the only potential problem that dusty or dirty ducts can create.
“The same dirt that is in your vacuum sweeper, that is what collects in ductwork. Every time that furnace turns on it is like sticking your head in a vacuum sweeper bag,” said Kevin L’Herbier, owner of Air Duct Maintenance in Richland Township.
When that dirt is allowed to distribute through the air, it can cause difficult breathing, especially for people who have asthma or allergies.
“By getting the dirt out, they’re going to breathe cleaner air and feel better. It will improve allergies and asthma symptoms,” he said.
September is a good time to have air ducts cleaned or checked, because most people use their furnace or heating system for the first time in early October.
L’Herbier said he recommends homeowners to have their ducts professionally cleaned at least every five years. It’s never too late to clean out the ducts though — the company has dealt with a 60-year-old home that never had its ducts cleared, he said.
Ducts are similar to arteries, and having some that are clogged will affect the performance of the furnace.
A newly cleaned duct system will be able to distribute warm air more evenly and efficiently, which means the furnace or heating unit will have to run less often, thus saving money on utility bills.
“The house is going to feel more comfortable and operate how it was meant to with no dust and dirt in the ducts,” he said.
Professional cleaners, like Air Duct Maintenance, use a number of specialized tools to clean the ducts.
L’Herbier said they have vacuum trucks that use air under pressure to scrub the inside of the ducts and suck up air into a 9-inch diameter hose. To ensure air quality, it is also recommended that homeowners periodically have their air conditioning evaporator coils and furnace vents cleaned.
