When you’re working to maintain your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, cleaning is an issue that regularly comes up. Does your system really need it? Do you have to hire a professional to do the job? Let’s take a look at why it’s important and how to decide whether it’s a do-it-yourself job or if hiring a professional is better suited for the job.
Why your HVAC system should be cleaned
Like any appliance, your HVAC system gets dirty. You get dust and debris in your air ducts, your condenser coils build up dust and your filters get clogged with pollen and other airborne particles. Cleaning the system helps keep it running more efficiently and effectively. This not only saves you money on your monthly electric bill but also on your repair and replacement bills, as well-maintained systems last longer and have fewer problems.
How to clean your HVAC system
There are some basic areas you need to clean:
- Ducts. No matter how many times you get fliers in the mail, you only need to worry about cleaning your ductwork on particular occasions. These include when you’re renovating your home, when you’ve had an animal living in your ductwork, if you or a family member has had an allergy-related illness hanging on, if you can see mold in your ductwork or if there is debris coming out of your vents after you’ve cleaned them. If you do have your ducts cleaned, make sure the service cleans all of your system, not just the ducts.
- Filters. Change your filters once a month for the best performance.
- Coils. Your evaporator coils, both inside and outside, need to be cleaned to remove dust that will lower your unit’s efficiency. The coils usually look something like a car radiator, only smaller. There are a number of foaming cleaning solutions on the market specifically designed for coils.
When it makes more sense to have a professional clean your HVAC system
You should call a professional if you’re not comfortable doing the service yourself or you want a knowledgeable set of eyes on the system. You may be able to clean your coils, but do you know what condensation pan damage looks like? Sometimes hiring a pro is the best bet simply because they have the eyes for this.
With this information in hand, you can now make a more educated decision about cleaning your HVAC system. If you still have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please feel free to contact us. At Cox Air Conditioning and Heating, we’ve been serving the community since 1958.
