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How long has it been since you had your furnace and dryer ducts cleaned? If you can’t remember, it may be time for a cleaning.
Winter is a great time to take care of this important maintenance service. Cooler temperatures mean your furnace must work harder and needs to be in tip-top condition. Plus, with spring and summer right around the corner, you need to be sure your ducts are ready for maximum AC use.
There are also some safety concerns you need to be aware of. Having yearly furnace and duct cleaning not only ensures that your appliances operate efficiently, it keeps you and your family safe.
You may have heard that duct cleaning isn’t necessary, but this is a misconception. To help you understand the importance of professional duct cleaning service, we’re going to break down the top benefits.
Let’s get into it.
The Importance of Cleaning Your Air Ducts
A furnace and duct cleaning involve clearing out the ducts and vents that supply air to your home. Over time they develop different types of contaminants including bacteria and fungus.
Professional air duct cleaners use special vacuums, brushes, and blowers to ensure all debris gets removed. Let’s look at how your furnace along with the rest of your home will benefit.
Better Air Quality
A major reason you need a furnace and duct cleaning is the overall improvement of the indoor air quality of your home.
You probably don’t realize it, but every day, contaminants enter the air in your home. These could be from household chemicals, allergens that make their way in from outside, and other bacteria. These contaminants get circulated through your HVAC system and eventually pollute your air ducts.
Having your ducts cleaned yearly cuts down on the recirculation of these contaminants and leads to healthier air quality. This is especially important if you or any member of your family has allergies.
Save on Energy Bills
When your furnace and ducts are dirty, your HVAC system must work harder to keep your home comfortable. This means more energy expended, which results in higher monthly bills.
Having a furnace and duct cleaning performed ensures your unit isn’t getting overworked. This is especially important in the winter months when you’re running your unit more.
It benefits you to invest in the one-time charge for a cleaning and enjoy lower bills throughout the year.
Increase the Lifespan of Your Furnace
We mentioned that dirty air ducts cause your unit to worker harder. Aside from increasing your energy bills, the strain it puts on your unit will decrease its overall lifespan.
When your furnace works too hard, just about all of the components take on added stress. This means a higher possibility of your unit giving out before it should.
This added strain also increases the likelihood of breakdown. You definitely don’t want this to happen during cooler temperatures. On top of the inconvenience, emergency repairs or replacement parts are costly.
Get the best possible service out of your unit by keeping it in good shape with a yearly furnace and duct cleaning. Don’t wait for a breakdown and then decide to take action.
The Importance of Cleaning Your Dryer Ducts
Let’s move over to the laundry room and talk about the importance of keeping your dryer ducts clean. You may not have even realized this is a concern. Dryer ducts aren’t typically on most people’s minds.
However, there are a number of reasons you should consider a dryer duct cleaning this winter.
Keep Your Dryer Running Well
Just like your furnace, if your dryer ducts get dirty, the unit has to work harder to do its job. Pushing your dryer too hard means it won’t be as effective and will be more susceptible to break down.
After frequent use, the ducts and vents for your dryer collect lint. When too much lint gets trapped in the ducts, the moist air produced by your dryer can’t escape.
If you start noticing that your clothes aren’t drying as fast as they used to, it’s likely your ducts are clogged. This means your dryer must work longer and harder to dry clothes properly.
Another way to tell if you have clogged ducts is to check the vent on the outside of your home while the dryer’s running. If you don’t feel hot air or see exhaust, you have a blockage.
Prevent Potential Fires
This is a very serious matter. If your dryer ducts are filled with lint and you’re still running the unit, it poses a fire hazard. In fact, 2,900 dryer fires are reported every year.
Lint catches fire easily. If not cleaned, lint may eventually build up in ducts and can even get into the drum casing of your unit. This means a higher potential for fire.
If you start noticing a burning odor, you need to discontinue use and schedule a duct cleaning immediately.
Avoid Harmful Gas
This is another safety issue. If your dryer vents become extremely clogged with lint, dangerous gasses could get trapped. Because these gasses can’t escape through the vent leading out of your home, it’s possible you or your family could inhale them.
If carbon monoxide is unable to exit your home, this could be a serious safety hazard. Carbon monoxide is odorless, so you won’t know if it’s leaking from your unit. Instead, give yourself peace of mind with a yearly dryer duct cleaning.
Stay Energy Efficient
Keeping your dryer in good working order also helps the pocketbook. A lint-filled duct causes your dryer to use more energy to dry your clothes.
Just like your furnace, your dryer’s performance effects each utility bill. Keep your energy costs down by getting your ducts professionally cleaned.
Schedule a Furnace and Duct Cleaning Today
When it comes to major household appliances, a good rule of thumb is to stay on top of routine maintenance. It benefits you in the long-run, as you’ll avoid unexpected breakdowns and extend the lifespan of your appliances. These are your investments, so it makes sense to care for them.
Fresh Aire Duct Cleaning provides air duct cleaning services in the Los Angeles area. Contact us today to schedule a cleaning.