Nearly every home has air ducts, but not everyone knows how to clean them. Learning how to clean air ducts yourself is an important part of maintaining a healthy home environment. We will discuss the steps necessary to clean your air ducts yourself. We will also provide tips on how often you should clean your ducts to ensure optimal performance. Let’s get started!
Why Your Air Ducts Need Cleaning
Your air ducts play an important role in your home’s ventilation system. Over time, dust and other particles can build up in the ducts, which can lead to poor indoor air quality. Additionally, if you have pets or live in an area with high pollen counts, your air ducts may need to be cleaned more frequently.
Heating and cooling systems can benefit from regular cleaning. A heating and cooling system needs clean ducts to operate efficiently.
Many people spend the money to have their air ducts cleaned professionally. Usually, the professionals show up with a truck-mounted vacuum system and hoses that can reach underground ducts and other areas you can’t.
However, you can clean your home’s air ducts, while only using duct cleaning services occasionally for places you can’t reach with your own tools, such as underground systems.
Air Duct Cleaning
Yes, you can clean the air ducts in your home yourself. However, it is important to follow the proper steps and use the right tools to avoid damaging the ducts. Additionally, if you are nervous about cleaning your duct system, it is best to hire a professional to do the job.
Tools Required to Clean Air Ducts
To clean your air ducts, you will need:
- A stiff brush
- A vacuum with dusting attachments
- A shop vac with an extending arm
- New HVAC filters
- A screwdriver or cordless drill with screwdriver attachments
- Paper towels
- A damp microfiber cloth
How to Clean Air Ducts Yourself
Cleaning your air ducts is a multi-step process. Follow these steps to clean your air ducts properly.
Locating Your Air Ducts
The first step is to locate your air ducts. In most homes, the air ducts are located in the ceilings, walls, or floors. You will need to know where they all are so you can thoroughly clean your ducts. The vents are either intake, supply, or return vents.
Supply vents are located on the walls or ceilings and are connected to the main ductwork. The return vents are also located on the ceiling or walls, but they are not connected to the main ductwork. These vents help to draw air back into the system.
Intake vents are located on exterior walls and bring fresh air into the home.
Shutting Off Your Furnace’s and Air Conditioner’s Power
Before you begin cleaning your air ducts, you will need to shut off the power to your furnace and air conditioner. This will prevent the system from turning on while you are working. You will need to shut them off at the breaker panel in your home.
Unscrewing and Cleaning Your Intake, Return, and Supply Air Duct Covers
Once the power is off, remove the vents from their respective locations. Clean the vent covers with a stiff brush and vacuum. Be sure to get all the dust and debris out of the vents.
Cover Your Supply, Return, and Intake Vents
Next, you will need to cover your supply, return, and intake vents with paper towels. This will prevent dust from entering your home while you are cleaning the ducts.
Loosen Dust in Your Ducts
Loosen the dust in your ducts by tapping on any visible ducts in your basement. This will help loosen any caked-on dust within the ductwork so you can vacuum it up.
Clean Supply Vents
To clean your supply registers, insert the brush attachment on your vacuum into the vent. Be sure to move the brush around so you can loosen and remove all of the dust from the vent.
Clean Return Vents
To clean your return air registers, insert the shop vac’s extending arm into the vent. Move the shop vac around so you can loosen and remove all of the dust from the vent.
Clean Intake Vents
To clean your intake registers, insert the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner into the air vents. Be sure to move the brush around so you can loosen and remove all of the dust from the vent.
Open Your Furnace and Clean the Return Air Boot and Blower Compartment
To do this, first, remove the screws that hold the door in place to your furnace compartment. Next, vacuum out any dust that has accumulated in these areas.
Replace the Furnace Air Filter
Once you have finished cleaning the ductwork, replace the furnace air filter. It is important to do this so that your furnace will continue to run efficiently.
A dirty filter should be washed or replaced, depending on whether you have a reusable or a disposable furnace filter. You can get a new furnace filter at your local hardware store or HVAC system technician’s shop. Likewise, you can purchase one on the Internet, assuming you know the make and model of your furnace heating system.
Replace the Furnace Cover and Restore Power
Replace the screws that hold the furnace cover in place and restore power to your furnace and air conditioner. Once you have done this, your air ducts should be clean!
Turn on Your Furnace and Air Conditioner
After you have replaced the furnace air filter, you can turn on your furnace and air conditioner. Be sure to check all of the vents to make sure that they are blowing air.
How Often Do You Have to Clean Your Ducts?
You should clean your air ducts at least once a year. However, if you have pets or someone in your home who suffers from allergies, you may need to clean them more often.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can easily clean your dirty air ducts yourself! Not only will this save you money, but it will also ensure that your ductwork is properly cleaned.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We are always happy to help!
Feature image courtesy of https://www.pinterest.com/pin/95490454605774977/