A clogged air duct might seem like a small problem, but it can damage your HVAC system over time. That’s why homeowners should regularly check their air vents for blockages.
A clogged air duct stops the system from reaching the temperature you set on your thermostat, forcing it to work harder to cool the room and increasing your energy bill.
That’s why we are providing expert tips to deal with clogged air ducts in your AC. It is also recommended that you always seek professional help for these types of cleaning.
What Air Ducts Do
Before discussing cleaning air ducts, let’s first understand how they work. Ducts are a system of pipes in your house that move air from your HVAC system to different rooms. Sometimes, ducts also bring in fresh air from outside or send indoor air outside as exhaust.
Ducts are usually round but can bend to fit into different spaces. They’re made from fibreglass, flexible plastic, or metal and help keep indoor air quality.
These ducts run through your walls and ceilings, so you often only see them if they are in places like crawl spaces, attics, basements, or leading outside. In older homes, metal ducts may have asbestos.
There are two types of ducts: return ducts and supply ducts. Return ducts pull air from the room and send it back to the HVAC system, while supply ducts bring conditioned air into the room.
You need to find the supply duct to start cleaning your air ducts. If it sticks, it’s a return duct. If it doesn’t stick or gets blown off, it’s a supply duct.
How Do Air Ducts Get Clogged?
Air ducts can get clogged in several ways, and knowing the cause can make it easier to fix. The simplest problem is an external blockage.
Furniture, wall decorations, curtains, or holiday items placed before a vent can block airflow. Always leave at least a foot of space around your air vent.
Sometimes, the issue isn’t a clog but just that the zone dampers, small levers inside the vent that control airflow, are closed. You can adjust them to ensure they’re not stopping airflow.
Another common cause is a dirty air filter. If you have not changed the filter in a while, it might collect dirt that can lead to a clog. Changing the filter won’t completely fix the clog, but it’s a good step toward helping your HVAC system work better.
If your vents are on the floor or low on the wall, the clog might be caused by small items like children’s toys, pet toys, coins, or other debris that accidentally fall inside.
More complex causes include leaks in the ductwork, which can let debris inside and cause a clog.
This can happen more often in homes with rodent problems, as pests can chew through the ducts. In older HVAC systems, loose insulation or pieces of filters can also break off and block the ducts.
Expert Tips to Deal With Clogged Air Ducts in Your AC
Inspect Your Air Filter
Look at your air filter. A dirty filter can make your air ducts work less efficiently. Contact an HVAC expert like Cyanergy to get proper advice.
Large buildings should change their air filters every month or two to prevent dirty air from circulating.
Check for Damaged Ducts
Examine Your HVAC System’s Zone Dampers
Call an HVAC Expert
If you’ve checked everything and the issue persists, it’s time to call a professional. HVAC specialists can inspect your ducts, filters, vents, and dampers, clear blockages, and even tune-up your system for better performance.
When is Air Duct Cleaning Necessary?
Does air duct cleaning help? Over time, dirt, dust, pet hair, and even pests can build up in your home’s ductwork, lowering indoor air quality.
Up to 40 pounds of dust can accumulate each year in an average six-room home from daily activities, making a full duct cleaning important.
The main issue isn’t just dust in the air but how too much debris in the ducts can block airflow and make your HVAC system work harder. Dirty air ducts reduce efficiency, wasting energy and increasing costs.
While regular air duct cleaning may seem like a good idea, it’s not always necessary, despite what some companies might claim.
You don’t need to clean your air ducts if:
- Your ductwork is correctly sealed throughout the system.
- You regularly change your air filters as recommended.
- You clean your floor vents with a vacuum every six months to prevent dust build-up.
However, air duct cleaning is needed in these situations:
- The ductwork’s sealants or tape are damaged or not sealed properly
- You’ve done home renovations that produced a lot of dust or required changes to the ductwork.
- There’s evidence of pests or animal nests inside the ducts.
- Mould is growing in the ducts
- The ductwork is over seven years old, and an energy audit reveals leaks.
Routine maintenance is key to keeping ducts clean, but full cleanings should only be done when necessary.
Equipment Needed to Clean Ducts Yourself
Many wonder if they should clean their air ducts or hire a professional.
If you’re thinking of doing it yourself to save on costs, here’s the equipment you’ll need for proper cleaning:
- A high-powered vacuum is needed
- Heavy-duty gloves, a gas mask, or goggles.
- A new furnace filter.
- A stiff brush to scrub away debris.
- A microfiber cloth for wiping down surfaces.
- A power drill or screwdriver to remove vent covers.
- Paper towels.
How to Clean Air Ducts Yourself: Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s a simple process you can follow if you decide to clean the air ducts yourself:
- Remove the screws from air duct covers, vents, and return air grills.
- Cover the supply vents with paper towels. This will stop dust from blowing out while you clean. You can place a paper towel between the vent cover and the wall or floor without re-screwing the covers.
- Set your thermostat to “fan on” mode and ensure heating and cooling are turned off. If your thermostat does not have a fan-only setting, run the heat instead.
- Loosen dust build-up in the ducts using a brush.
- Vacuum inside the duct by inserting the vacuum hose as far as possible. The fan will push dust toward the vacuum.
- Clean the AC vents by brushing off any dust stuck to the registers.
- Wipe the inside of the duct using a microfiber cloth. Reach in as far as possible and rinse the fabric as needed.
- Remove the paper towels covering the supply vents.
- Clean the return registers with your brush.
- Turn off the fan and power off the furnace from the service switch or breaker panel.
- Use a vacuum to remove dust inside the furnace, clean the blower compartment and return the air boot.
- Replace the furnace filter to ensure you get the full benefit of clean ducts. A dirty filter will block airflow and reintroduce dust.
This process helps keep your HVAC system running smoothly and your air cleaner.
Why Should You Clean Clogged Air Ducts?
Better Indoor Air Quality
Improved Energy Efficiency
Fewer Allergens and Irritants
Longer HVAC System Lifespan
Odour Removal
Clogged ducts can cause mould and mildew to grow, leading to unpleasant smells. Over time, this can damage your home and increase the risk of health issues. Cleaning your ducts eliminates these odours, leaving your home smelling fresher.
For more information, contact Cyanergy or talk to an expert directly!
