Like most homeowners, you probably don’t think about furnace duct cleaning until it’s already overdue. And then, suddenly, you’re faced with a daunting list of furnace duct cleaning pros and cons that make the decision process feel impossible. Well, never fear!
In this blog post, we’ll break down all the essential information for you to make the best choice for your home. Furnace duct cleaning is a vital maintenance task that you should not overlook – read on to learn more!
Pros of Furnace Duct Cleaning
We’ll start with a look at the potential benefits of air duct cleaning.
Improves health and hygiene
Currently, no evidence proves that cleaning your air ducts can enhance your health or hygiene. But there’s nothing to suggest it doesn’t work the other way around.
If you or a member of your family suffers from asthma or allergies, you may find that regularly cleaning your ductwork helps to reduce these symptoms. Just be aware of any chemicals or cleaning agents used during this procedure since some of them might cause respiratory issues.
Some tenants are more susceptible to these toxins than others. Allergy and asthma patients, small children, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to poor indoor air quality that furnace duct cleaning may help alleviate.
Boosts your HVAC system’s efficiency
Your furnace has to work harder when it’s full of dirt and debris. As a result, furnace duct cleaning can help improve your HVAC system’s efficiency, which means lower energy bills!
In addition, furnace duct cleaning can also help extend your HVAC system’s lifespan by preventing corrosion and other damage.
Reduces risk of disease transmission
When rats or insects invade your air ducts, you run the danger of contracting various serious illnesses. Hantavirus is one of the most dangerous infections in this group since it may be transferred by inhaling dust contaminated with mouse urine or droppings. You might be breathing in these issues right now if rice rats, white-footed mice, deer mice, or cotton rats dwell in your air ducts.
Furthermore, the plague may develop in the western part of the nation when infected fleas from wild rodents dwelling in your HVAC system may invade your house and attack you. With this in mind, frequent cleaning is likely to be cost-effective.
Cons of Furnace Duct Cleaning
Now let’s take a look at some of the potential drawbacks of furnace duct cleaning.
It can be expensive.
Homeowner’s insurance does not typically cover furnace duct cleaning, so you’ll likely have to pay for it. The cost will vary depending on the size of your home and your ductwork’s condition, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $500 for a typical cleaning job.
A larger HVAC maintenance package may include furnace duct cleaning in some cases. If this is the case, be sure to ask about any other services included in the price.
You might not need it.
If your air vents don’t contain dust, mould, insects, or rodents, you generally don’t require air duct cleaning.
It is due to the air filters in your cooling/heating system, which prevent the accumulation of dirt on your heat exchanger and evaporator coils. Filters keep dust out of your air ducts and prevent them from blowing back into your house. So, if you replace or clean your filters regularly, you’re probably OK without furnace duct cleaning.
If you don’t change your air filters regularly, you should hire a professional to inspect your ducts for excess dirt and dust. Dead skin cells, grime, pollen, and animal dander are all found in dust, which you don’t want in your house or choking your heating system.
Rather than cleaning, some systems need replacement.
If you have an older HVAC system, it might be more cost-effective to replace the entire system rather than cleaning the ductwork. Older systems are often less energy-efficient and may not work well after furnace duct cleaning.
In addition, some furnace ducts have materials that you can’t clean without damaging the ductwork. In these cases, replacement is the only option.
Before you decide to replace your furnace, consult with a qualified HVAC contractor. They can help you determine whether furnace duct cleaning or replacement is the best option for your home.
Conclusion
Furnace duct cleaning has pros and cons that you should consider before deciding. Weigh the cost, efficiency, and health benefits against the potential drawbacks to determine what’s best for your home. Furnace duct cleaning may be the right choice for you.
Still not sure if furnace duct cleaning is suitable for you? Contact Furnace Repair Winnipeg, a professional HVAC contractor, for more information. We’d be happy to help you make the best decision for your home.
