When asked what the dirtiest place in the house is, most people would probably say the bathroom or the kitchen. After all, this is where you deal with things that usually attract bacteria, dust, or other dirt. While it makes sense, this isn’t always true. In fact, it kind of depends on which one you take care of and which one you neglect. If you keep your bathroom and kitchen tidy, they may even be the cleanest rooms in your house. To put it simply, the dirtiest places in your house are most likely the ones cleaned least often – and your ducted air conditioning system may be the perfect example.
Tucked within the ceiling and hiding behind the vents, the duct system is probably the most neglected structure in your home. It’s where the air that goes in and out of your ducted air conditioning system passes through. This air usually carries a mixture of pet hair, flakes of dead skin, dirt and a host of other pollutants. Before these pollutants even get to the vents, some of them fall and stay on the duct’s surface until they become a breeding ground for microorganisms that could later pose a threat to your family’s health.
With that said, cleaning the duct system is no simple task, and it’s not the only thing you should worry about when maintaining your home’s air conditioning. This is one of the obligations you’ve signed up for when you decided to have the best ducted air conditioning system. Here are some tips that might help you.
Find the dirt – determine where the thickest dust build-up lies and what type of dirt you are dealing with. Rat and bird poop can be particularly hard to clean, especially inside the duct. Inspect the inside of the vent cover and the filter as well. Dust stuck on these areas is preventing air from freely blowing in and out of the vents. You may also try to measure how much dust is in the ducts by observing the cloudiness of air as it comes out of the vents.
When neglected for a long time, dust solidifies and adheres to the surface of the ducts and vents. As a result, it becomes tough to remove with a regular dust remover. What you should do is remove the vent grates, wash them in warm, soapy water, and allow them to dry from top to bottom.
Before returning the vents, vacuum the ducts thoroughly. Try to reach as far as you can to suck in as much dust and debris as possible. Just make sure to do this gently to avoid damaging the vents. You don’t want vents with cracks because they might get blown off when you turn on the system and come flying at you.
When you’re done with the ducts, it’s time to check the HVAC unit itself. Check all openings and filters that might be choking with dust. If the filters are too dusty, remove them carefully, clean their surroundings, and replace them with new ones. Technicians advise that filters have to be replaced at least twice a year.
When to Consider Hiring a Professional Technician
If in the middle of your maintenance routine you encountered issues that are beyond your capability, don’t hesitate to call in a professional technician from a trusted HVAC company such as Port City Air Conditioning. These issues may include:
- When the ducts smell mouldy even after you vacuumed it.
- When you still feel a bit warm even after replacing the filters.
- When the air conditioner is acting up due to the presence of vermin in the system.
- When family members are beginning to experience allergy symptoms like sneezing, coughing and watery eyes when the aircon is turned on.
- When you broke something during maintenance.
When choosing technicians to hire, however, be meticulous. Make sure to check their credentials and ask as many necessary questions as possible to determine their qualifications. Never settle for anything less than a reputable company like Port City Air Conditioning when it comes to your home cooling system. Contact us today to discuss maintenance for your ducted air conditioning system.