Once you buy an HVAC system, it is essential to learn how to clean dusty air vents. The vents attract a lot of dirt, fur, and household debris, and leaving them uncleaned can lead to more serious problems like poor functioning of the system.
Luckily, cleaning the dusty air vents is straightforward, and most homeowners prefer to DIY. However, consider hiring a professional cleaner if you don’t have the skills and experience. It would help if you had a brush, screwdriver, and vacuum cleaner to clean the vents.
Keeping dust out of your vents ensures the proper functioning of the unit. Homeowners should ensure they change the old filters and check if there are leaky ductworks, as explained on the website. Before we look at the process of cleaning the dusty air vents, let us first examine the signs there is dust on your ducts.
Signs you Should Clean the Air Vents
Most homeowners pay less attention to the air vents, so it will be difficult to spot any dust particles. Luckily, even without checking the ducts, you can tell it is time to clean them by noticing other signs. These are some of the signs your air vents are dirty.
1. Presence of Dust and Debris
The most apparent sign that you should clean the air vents is if there are dust particles and debris on the inner and outer parts of the ducts. The debris could be in the form of animal fur or leaves.
Sometimes, the air vents release the dust back into the system. The dusty air blown into the rooms becomes uncomfortable to breathe. You could also notice a smell of dust in the air blown into the rooms.
2. Odor In The Air
Another sure sign that you should hire duct cleaners for your HVAC system is the odor in the air. Small crawling animals enter the vents and leave their droppings. Other animals could die and rot in the ducts.
When there are rotten rodents, the odor mixes with the air blown into the rooms, making it uncomfortable to breathe. The best way to get rid of the rotten rodents is by cleaning the vents.
3. Poor Airflow In The Rooms
While you might not notice the dust and debris, or if there is no odor in the rooms, having poor air circulation in the house means there is a problem with the HVAC system. One of the most affected areas is the air vents.
Dust and debris on the vents block air circulation, meaning no cold and hot air exchange. It minimizes the efficiency of the HVAC system, which could be identified by poor airflow in the rooms.
4. Higher Energy Costs
When there is dust in air vents and the HVAC is inefficient, the mechanical parts use much energy. There will be an increase in energy bills at the end of the month or year.
Also, the machine’s inefficiency and use of much energy could lead to mechanical damage on some parts. It causes unplanned repairs, which can be expensive. Keep the air vents clean if you want your system to last longer.
How to Clean Dusty Air Vents
Having dust and debris in the air vents is normal, and it happens to all homeowners. Keeping the ducts clean helps the machine work efficiently and reduces energy usage. Furthermore, clean air vents will help your device last longer.
Some homeowners choose DIY vent cleaning because it is a straightforward process. However, hiring a qualified air vent cleaner is advisable because they have the expertise and tools required.
Before beginning the cleaning process, ensure you have all the necessary tools. You will need a broom, rag, screwdriver, and a vacuum cleaner. The screwdriver is for helping you remove the different parts of the vent. You should also get new air filters if yours are old.
Step 1: Switch Off the Main Power Supply
Before you do anything on the vent covers, ensure there is no flow of electricity in the system. This protects the cleaner from getting shocked or burned and other fatal electricity accidents.
Step 2: Unscrew the Vent Covers
Once you cut off the electricity flow, use the screwdriver to remove the vent covers. Accessing the inner parts of the vents ensures you will do a thorough cleaning. Furthermore, you also need to clean the duct covers.
Step 3: Vacuum the Air Ducts
Use the dust brush to loosen all the dust and dirt in the air duct. Ensure you spot all the debris in the system to avoid leaving any traces of dirt and dust. You can use the vacuum to suck all the dust from the vents. Get a safe deposit place for the dust so that it does not go back to the system.
Step 4: Clean the Vent Covers
Once the air vents are clean, clean the vent covers using a towel and water. Putting them back without cleaning will return the dust into the air duct, meaning your cleaning work won’t be efficient. You can then air dry the covers and screw them back into the vent.
Step 5: Change the Air Filters
Changing the air filters in the furnace every two months is essential because it keeps allergens and dust away. It will make the rooms comfortable to live in and reduce the allergic reactions among your family members. Besides, the new air filters increase the efficiency of your machine, increasing its lifespan.
Step 6: Call a Professional
Consider hiring a vent cleaning professional if you are unsure about your experience and ability to follow the cleaning process above. The experts are well-trained and have experience in vent cleaning. Hiring a professional also ensures more care for your heating and cooling system.
Final Words
Knowing how to clean dusty air vents is a straightforward process, that’s if you have the expertise. While hiring a professional could be expensive, they have the proper tools and expertise to reduce the chances of damaging your HVAC. Hopefully, our guide will help you to clean your air vents.
