Whether you’ve owned your home for a while or recently moved in, keeping up with seasonal maintenance tasks is a constant chore. Plus, with all the information available online, even something as simple as getting your ducts cleaned can be confusing. Lucky for you, our team at Top Hat has compiled this easy guide to debunking duct cleaning myths. Let’s look at the fiction, facts, and what you can do to ensure your home HVAC system is running at its best.
Myth 1: Winter isn’t a Good Time for Duct Cleaning
Typically, Ottawa residents hunker down during the winter. It’s cold and messy outside, and most homeowners finish interior maintenance chores in the fall and are waiting for spring cleaning. With the temperature dropping, your heating system is likely running full-time, and it’s common to think that ducts can’t easily be cleaned during the colder months.
Fact
Your HVAC is likely struggling to keep up in the cold if your ducts are dirty. When your furnace isn’t running efficiently, it’s harder for it to warm your home and keep it at a comfortable temperature. It’s also possible that, due to moisture, mold could start to grow in the ducts and spread throughout your home. With proper duct cleaning during the winter, debris can be removed, mold concerns can be eliminated, and your heating system can function properly when you need it most.
Myth 2: I Don’t Need to Get My Ducts Cleaned Because I Just Replaced My Furnace Filter
Your furnace filter is a critical component of your HVAC system. As the name suggests, it filters out debris and dirt in the air. Many homeowners change their filters every few months and think this is sufficient enough to avoid having their ducts cleaned.
Fact
Your ducts should get cleaned every 2-3 years, whether or not you replaced your filter frequently. It’s critical that your HVAC system isn’t left to gather up dust for longer than that. If you’ve got pets or have recently completed a home renovation, you may want to get your ducts cleaned sooner. Examine your filter and see how much dust is stuck on it between replacements to determine whether it’s time to get your ducts cleaned.
Myth 3: My Allergies are Only Bad in the Spring
Many of us have allergy problems in the spring when there’s plenty of pollen in the air. Sneezing and sniffling in colder months might be chalked up to a cold or a flu that just won’t quit. However, what a lot of people don’t know is that a dirty duct system can also cause allergies, especially in the winter.
Fact
Keeping our windows shut and the heat on full blast is a common occurrence from November to March. As a result, allergens that usually find their way out of our homes are stuck inside with us inside for the winter. This constant circulation of dirty air causes the same symptoms you might experience with allergies in the spring.
Routine duct cleaning, especially in the colder months, can help prevent running noses, watery eyes, sneezing, and other allergy symptoms. This is thanks to the removal of debris, leading to proper air filtration and improved indoor air quality.
Myth 4: I Can Easily Clean My Ducts Myself
As impressive as it would be to clean our ducts ourselves, it’s not a simple task. You can always grab your vacuum and try to get rid of some of the dust yourself. Or open up your vents, find your duster and clean out as much dust and debris as you can see—and reach. Suffice it to say this is easier said than done and doesn’t accomplish a comprehensive clean.
Fact
If there’s visible dust coating your vents, that’s a sign that you may need to have your ducts cleaned by a professional team soon. Equipped with high-performance equipment, our team at Top Hat is experienced and detail-oriented when it comes to cleaning your ducts year-round, especially in the winter. Using a high-powered truck-mounted vacuum system to remove dust and debris from your ducts also improves your indoor air quality, making your home that much healthier for you and your family.
The Truth Debunked; Schedule Your Professional Duct Cleaning
Despite the myths surrounding duct cleaning, one thing is certain: routine duct cleaning offers numerous benefits. It helps maintain heat, prevent mold, improve air quality, mitigate allergies, and even lower the cost of energy bills. At Top Hat, our team of professionals provides thorough, reliable duct cleaning to keep your home safe, comfortable, and healthy for your loved ones. To book an appointment to have your ducts cleaned at any time of the year, contact us today.
