Problems with air ducts and ventilation have long been linked to everything from respiratory problems to energy inefficiency. This goes for ventilation systems in both homes and corporate spaces. While keeping them clean and working properly is important, it can still be unclear how to best go about it. These tips for maintaining air ducts and ventilation will help you learn all about ventilation and its proper functioning as well as when it might be time to call for professional backup.

The importance of air ducts and ventilation maintenance

Some research shows that the role of air ducts and ventilation as the cause of illnesses and allergies has been greatly exaggerated. If you are looking into air ducts and ventilation maintenance tips, for this reason, be aware that there could be other culprits. A lot of the dirt in ducts adheres to the duct surfaces and never really enters the living space. The particles you find in your home or office space could be coming from other sources. Finally, the presence of particles either in the ventilation system or in the living and working space hasn’t been proven to pose a danger to human health.

That said, there are certain signs your ducts need cleaning that you should look out for. You should consider anything that looks like mold a red flag. The same goes for any presence of vermin (like rodents or insects). And finally, you should be on the lookout for excessive amounts of dust or debris.

Sometimes this can cause your air ducts to get clogged and even release the particles into your living or space. These tips for maintaining air ducts and ventilation are particularly important to bear in mind when you are picking a new space to rent or buy. You should always do your due diligence and have someone come in and inspect the place.

Energy efficiency

Besides health concerns, it is important to be aware of the energy that you could be saving if your air ducts and ventilation had proper insulation. Not only is this wasteful and out of line with current environmental practices, but it is also bad for your budget since you are getting charged for the energy you are not using. This can be especially important if you are running a business and want to keep it profitable. Biting the bullet and getting any maintenance work done before relocating to new premises is better than wasting a lot of money in the long run.

Tips for maintaining air ducts and ventilation

Keep clear

One of the most important ways how to maintain your air ducts is to keep them clear of any furniture. This means no cabinets leaning against them or any other piece of furniture blocking them. You want the air to be able to flow freely through space. You may feel as if they are not very pretty to look at. However, remember that they are above all functional. You do not want to cover them up in any way. Bear in mind that clean air is not something you want to mess with for the sake of appearances.

Keep clean

Another important part of cleaning the air ducts in your home or office is changing the filters regularly. According to experts, you should change your HVAC system air filters every six to twelve months to keep the air filters clean. When it comes to offices, experts recommend doing it much more frequently – as often as once every two months. If you are unsure about what to do, you can always consult the professionals. Besides changing the filters, you can do a lot to keep your ventilation system clean. You should wipe your air vents regularly and use a disinfectant to make sure you have killed any bacteria that may be clinging onto them. This should take care of mold or mildew as well.

Besides this, another one of the tips for maintaining air ducts and ventilation is to check the coils, heat exchanger, and blower. If there is any loose dirt or debris clinging onto it, you should remove it. While you do not have to check on them as often as the filters, keeping them clean is important in order to have them functioning properly.

Sealing the ducts

Sealing the ducts in your attic, basement, and the garage is another way to maintain your air ducts. You should use a mastic sealant or metal tape for this purpose. This way, you will insulate them and increase their efficiency. On the energy-saving note, we had made earlier, ducts should be properly sealed no matter where they are. This is the only way you will use your energy efficiently.

Asking for help

While most tips for maintaining air ducts and ventilation systems are easily doable on your own at home or by cleaners in your office, there are times when you may need to call for professional help. We have already mentioned that the presence of mold requires expert assistance, and if you ignore the problem and let it fester, you might have to call professional movers from bigmansmoving.com to help you move to a new, mold-free home.

But how do you know if you have a mold problem? The easiest way to tell is by smell. Most mold cases come with a musty odor. If you can smell it in multiple rooms or by multiple air ducts, chances are you have a mold problem, or you should at least check. Sometimes it will even be visible – around the ducts and in the vents themselves. If you are unsure what it is, you can take a little sample and have a lab analyze it for you for very little money and time. Other reasons to call for backup are vermin or excessive dust.