Keep that in mind that a single air duct system cleaning can remove an average of six pounds of dust from your home. With the passing time, these pollutants can build up inside your kitchen ducts which will reduce airflow and re-circulating throughout your kitchen space.
Air ducts always require proper cleaning and maintenance to perform their functions at their best.
Importance of Air Duct Cleaning
Air duct system cleaning is a very important cleaning service for all commercial kitchen owners. Air duct cleaning actually refers to having all your duct systems, which includes the supply, intake, and return vents cleaned using professional air duct cleaning equipment.
Also, air duct cleaning also includes cleaning the registers, grilles, fans, the HVAC unit, and cleaning the furnace if you have one. Proper cleaning of your air ducts is recommended every three to five years, though in some cases two to three years would be the best possible time for best results and maintenance.
Proper air duct cleaning is very important for these main factors.
- For maintaining good air quality.
- In order to boost energy efficiency.
- To protect heating and cooling equipment.
Types of ducts used in HVAC
Basically, there are three main types of ducts that are used in HVAC systems. These are
- Sheet metal ducts
- Fiberglass lined ducts
- Fiberboard ducts
Sheet metal ducts are usually made of either galvanized steel or aluminum. Aluminum ducts are lightweight and very easy to install.
What is air duct cleaning?
Air duct cleaning is basically the process of clearing garbage from air ducts, registers, grilles, and all other components of a forced-air system. Just because of the reason that these ducts are hidden behind walls and above ceilings, the only way that is left is to effectively clean them with a high-powered, truck-mounted vacuum and compression system as no other method ensures a complete clean.
Kitchen services would recommend more frequent air duct system cleaning if you were sensitive to indoor air quality. You should also have your ducts cleaned if you have recently remodeled your commercial kitchens, as this will increase the amount of dust in your forced-air system.
How do I know if my air ducts need to be cleaned?
Some of the many reasons that your air ducts need to be cleaned are:
1. You See Dust Coming from Your Air Vents
In case you would like to check if your system needs cleaning, switch your heat or AC off. Wait a few minutes and turn it back on. If you see any dust particles or smell something smokey coming from your vents or in case you see dust, you must arrange a professional cleaning soon. In that case, if you see or smell smoke, do not use your system before a technician can come to look at it. It might be a signal that you have a clogged air duct or there is any mechanical issue with your HVAC unit.
2. If Your Energy Bills Are Going Up
In case you do not feel any major weather changes and still, your bill has gotten much more expensive, it could be an issue with your HVAC system. You must check your utility bill for any new fees or service charges. Not just this but you could have an issue with your air ducts as well. If your ducts are congested with dust, your system will have to work harder to heat or cool your commercial kitchen. In that case, where you notice a change in airflow in a particular area, you could even have a jam in your ductwork.
3. Your House Is Always Dusty
Dust is unavoidable in an indoor environment. After every few weeks or even once a month, you should take out your microfiber cloth or feather duster in order to keep your home looking fresh. But, in that case, when it looks like you are constantly fighting with dust and your cleaning schedule has not changed, consider your ductwork as the main culprit here. There might be more dust that builds up inside the ducts, the more dust that will come out of your vents. It will settle on hard surfaces and make your kitchen even dustier.
4. Your Vent Grilles Look Dusty
Your vent grilles usually control the direction of airflow in any of your spaces. They also help in covering up the large vent holes in your floors or ceilings. These vent grilles can also be used in order to spot problems with your air ducts. In case you observe a lot of dust on your vent grilles, there is a possible chance that it is coming from inside the duct. You should Walk around your house to check your other vents. In case they all look as dusty as this one you could have a common issue with your ducts. Contact kitchen services HVAC services facility for proper maintenance as soon as you can.
5. You Notice a Musty Smell Throughout Your Home
If you notice an extensive musty scent throughout your commercial kitchen, there are high chances it could be coming from your air ducts. If your AC system can’t keep humidity in check, it can lead to mold growth. Mold and mildew growth can also cause respiratory issues, just like dust can. Plus, if you don’t address it soon, it can keep growing and spread throughout your ductwork. To check for mold yourself, remove the grille cover and get a flashlight. If you see signs of mold, reach out to a technician at kitchen services as we have specialized professionals for your indoor air quality and mold removal.
How to Clean Air Ducts Yourself
Here are the air duct cleaning tools that you need to complete the task:
- Furnace filter
- Gloves
- Vacuum
- Brush
- Power drill
- Cleaning cloth
- Paper towels
Step-by-Step Air Duct System Cleaning Process
- Disconnect screws from air duct covers and return-air grill plates.
- Cover supply vents with paper towels to prevent dust and dirt from blowing in and out during cleaning.
- Set thermostat to “fan on” position to loosen dust in ducts.
- Use a brush to tap on any available ductwork to break up any moistened dust bonds.
- Clean supply registers by vacuuming and using a brush to scuff loose built-up dust.
- Clean return registers by brushing and sweeping as far back as possible.
- Shut off fan and furnace using the service switch or breaker panel.
- Clean out blower compartment and return air boot with a vacuum.
- Clean furnace fan.
- Replace furnace filter to improve airflow and prevent clogs.
What are the two main types of duct-cleaning equipment being used?
Respectable duct cleaning companies mainly utilize two recognized systems for cleaning your ductwork. A Rotary Brush system and a Push/Pull Vacuum System. Both of these systems work at removing dirt and debris from your ducting, but they are both very different in what they do. As a reminder, these two systems are generally considered the most acceptable forms of duct cleaning that are available in the market today. As you can see, however, these acceptable systems are very different from each other.
Here at Kitchen Services, we have allowed our customers to learn more about air duct cleaning tools on many different occasions. These air duct cleaning machines are very important in order to provide the very best service for every homeowner. Of course, these air duct cleaning machines are only scraping the surface. Here at kitchen services we use multiple machines to provide standout service to everyone in the area. Whenever you call for air duct cleaning services, you may see one of the following machines in your home.
1. Negative Air Machines
Negative air machines are usually used to remove all the air pollutants that are in a specific area, and it helps in expelling all the pollutants outside of that area. They help in keeping the pollutants outside of the specified area through a series of closed ducts. It works by creating a vacuum effect within the controlled area. Many of us would believe that negative air machines and air scrubbers are the same, but in reality, there is one distinct difference which is the vacuum. Air scrubbers do not come equipped with any duct system, but they can be. When the duct system is used, it becomes a negative air machine.
Negative air machines usually consist of several filters that too have a blower system. The blower pulls the air through the filters and sends the filtered air away from the area. If you take a residential home with high levels of carbon monoxide, for instance. A negative air machine can remove the building’s toxic gas and send it outside of the house to not reenter the building.
2. Industrial Vacuum with Motorized Brush
One of the most important air duct cleaning machines a lot of people use is actually an industrial vacuum that has a motorized brush attachment with it. The motorized brush is the particular machine Fresh Air Duct Cleaning that is used in a lot of customers’ homes. This beast of a machine allows gathering as many air pollutants as it is possible for them in the air ducts. The industrial vacuum with the motorized brush with a 450 RPM brush would make it the easiest choice when you need to remove dust, dirt, and other pollutants from air ducts.
This machine works as the brush would remove the pollutants from the surface of the ducts, the vacuum sucks it up. This whole system is considered better because it removes large quantities of air pollutants in one single swipe. As a result, the whole process of air duct cleaning is faster and more efficient. You will be happy to use the industrial vacuum with a motorized brush because it gives the capabilities to deliver top-notch service for the customers.
Air Duct system cleaning FAQs
Is duct cleaning a waste of money?
It’s absolutely not a waste of money, as long as it’s not performed too frequently. Homeowners usually only need to consider air duct cleaning when visible signs of dust buildup are present, if they’ve noticed a change in respiratory or allergy symptoms, or if it’s been several years since the last duct cleaning.
Can air duct cleaning cause damage?
Provided that the cleaning is done properly, no evidence suggests that such cleaning would be detrimental. EPA does not recommend that the air ducts be cleaned routinely, but only as needed.
What is the best air duct cleaning method?
Negative pressure is arguably the best way to clean an air duct because it prevents fly-away debris from going into the air and the antimicrobial spray prevents further build up. This method is what we use at Superior Air Duct Cleaning because it is thorough and removes as many contaminants as possible
What time of the year is best for duct cleaning?
Spring. Air duct cleaning is best done in the spring. It’s a great way to ensure you and your family don’t breathe in microscopic dust, mould and even mouse droppings.
