Central HVAC systems use ductwork to move warm or cool air from the handling unit through vents in the rooms of your home. Over time, vents and ducts can become dirty, which creates potential health and safety hazards for your residence. Below, you’ll learn more about why it’s important to clean these components as part of your regular heating and cooling maintenance. 

4 Reasons to Clean HVAC Vents & Ducts 

1. Improve Indoor Air Quality 

HVAC vents collect dust, pollen, and pet dander, which may produce musty odors throughout your space. Additionally, these allergens can cause allergy flareups and asthma attacks when they accumulate and recirculate through indoor air.

Wiping your vents with all-purpose cleaner once monthly can prevent buildups and boost air quality. Additionally, a heating and cooling maintenance team can perform duct cleaning to remove more extensive debris. 

2. Prevent Mold

Mold thrives in moist environments at temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees, which is comparable to the conditions within HVAC systems. When spores grow on vents and circulate through air, they may cause sore throat, congestion, and upper respiratory infections when inhaled.

Prevent mold from growing and spreading by wiping vents with a fungicidal cleaner monthly. Additionally, check the grates and surrounding walls for small black spots, and schedule a professional mold inspection if you notice them. 

3. Regulate Temperatures

People who have asthma may experience difficulty breathing when exposed to sudden temperature changes. When vents become blocked by debris, they can create particularly warm or cool indoor spots that trigger asthma attacks.

Cleaning vents to remove dust and dirt buildups can regulate indoor temperatures, promote easy breathing, and make your space more comfortable. 

4. Avoid Pest Infestations

Bed bugs are drawn to warm spaces of the home and may crawl into ductwork through vents during the winter. Spiders tend to gravitate toward dark and undisturbed areas, making them likely to spin webs on unused vents. Prevent insect infestations and painful bites by running your system regularly and scheduling professional duct cleaning once per year. 

Keep your HVAC system clean with help from the team at Ronnie Ritchie Service Co Inc. This heating and air conditioning contractor provides routine maintenance, installations, and repairs to homes and businesses throughout Waynesboro, VA. Call (540) 942-1415 to book an appointment for heating and cooling, and visit the website to learn more about how they can keep your indoor areas comfortable.