Prepare your home for an energy efficient, money saving, and healthier winter.
Take care of your HVAC duct work by repairing, cleaning, and insulating it properly. Taking care of your HVAC duct work is a simple and inexpensive way of improving internal air quality and efficient heating. It important that you perform HVAC maintenance every year before winter sets in.
Cleaning the HVAC Ducts
Routine vacuuming of the HVAC registers is important, but you do not necessarily have to clean them deep inside on a routine basis. However, there may be some situations in which you may have to get the interiors of the ducts cleaned as soon as possible. For example, if you see growth inside the HVAC ducts, it means you need to clean them to avoid any health problems such as asthma, allergies, and other respiratory problems.
At times, insects and vermin may also find a way into your ducts; if you can spot any, immediately clean the ducts thoroughly. During home renovations, keep the ducts properly covered to prevent dust, asbestos, or lead paint from entering the dusts. If they do enter the ducts, have them cleaned. If you smell any unpleasant odors or other pollutants in the air, or you experience some unexplained respiratory or skin problems, you should get the ducts cleaned.
Repairing Leaks
The duct work can develop holes in individual pipes or there may be poor connections between the pipes that cause leaks. The leaks can decrease the efficiency of your HVAC system by over 20 percent and increase green house emissions. HVAC leaks may even back draft poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide into your living space. To detect any leaks, inspect the duct work visually, and for leaks in hidden areas, switch the thermostat to “on” mode and you will be able to feel any escaping air. Seal the leaks using metal tape, aerosol sealant, or mastic sealant.
Insulation
Proper insulation helps conserve the temperature controlled air that your HVAC system produces. This reduces energy consumption and brings down the utility bills. To find out whether you need to insulate the duct work on not, you can simply check the temperature difference in the air that is coming from the ducts and the one surrounding it. If the difference is considerable, then you should consider duct insulation.
There are various types of materials available for insulating ducts. They come in blanket and sleeve styles; the blanket style is better if you intend doing the job on your own. It consists of foam, cotton, bubble wrap, or fiberglass. The one that contains cotton is the most eco-friendly option.
Do you need professional advice on the health of your HVAC duct work? Call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625 to make an appointment.