You may not notice them but air ducts are present in a lot of buildings and even in your home. Air ducts are used in air conditioning, heating, and ventilation. They are essential in maintaining the air flow inside the building so that there is acceptable indoor air quality and it also ensures optimum thermal comfort. However, air ducts can get dirty over time so you must know how to clean an air duct properly.
Air ducts must be cleaned professionally every five to seven years and they must be inspected for presence of molds and other harmful substances every two years. However, you must clean your air ducts regularly as part of proper maintenance, because it can benefit you in the long run. Here are a few tips on how to clean an air duct:
- Before you clean the air duct itself, clean the surrounding areas of the vent first. If your vent is located at the floor, sweep and vacuum the area.
- Some vent covers or grills are secured with screws and you can remove these with the use of a screwdriver.
- Once the vent cover or grill is removed, you can reach inside the air duct and wipe the sides with a dry cloth or paper towel. Remember to wear gloves to protect your hands. You may need to have several pieces of cloth or paper towels at hand if the filters at the head of the air duct are really dirty.
- Be careful when you use a vacuum to clean the air duct. Make sure that the hose is past the filter section of the air duct, because if not, the hose can damage the filter. Vacuum the air duct thoroughly and make sure that you clean out the dust and debris in the area.
- After vacuuming, return the vent cover or grill, and wipe down the area to make sure that its clean.
If you follow these tips in how to clean an air duct, your air ducts will last for a long time and you will not worry about breathing in the dust that usually accumulates in the filters.