If you’ve noticed dust coming out of your commercial property’s AC vents, you might wonder if you could clean it yourself or have one of your workers do it. However, despite how simple it might seem, cleaning ducts and vents is not an easy DIY project that anyone can or should do.
Why You Should Hire an HVAC Service Provider for Cleaning Vents
Dirty Vents Have Many Possible Causes
While you can easily clean a vent with a vacuum and a brush, it might just end up trapping dirt and debris again a few months down the road if the root of the problem isn’t fixed.
Dirty vents can be due to a wide range of problems, such as:
- Pet hair and dander trapped in the vents
- Leaky air ducts
- Incorrect filter type
- Unsealed vent covers
- Incorrectly sized air grills
Additionally, black dust coming out of HVAC vents could be due to soot from a fireplace or candles, mould spores or dirty insulation. Meanwhile, reddish dust or stains could be due to rust formation deeper inside the system.
A professional will be able to determine the cause of dirt buildup on HVAC vents and perform proper cleaning. Meanwhile, untrained individuals may end up accidentally dislodging connections or further damaging the system if they attempt to do the diagnosis and the repairs themselves.
You May Become Exposed to Harmful Microorganisms
Dirt on vents may come from outside the HVAC system, as in the case of animal fur and dander, or from the ductwork. Ducts, if clogged with dirt and debris, can trap moisture, creating the perfect environment for mould and mildew to grow.
Additionally, there is a danger that the ductwork in your building harbours pests. While a service provider has the tools and know-how to deal with an infestation of insects or rodents, someone without HVAC training or background does not.
For these reasons, it’s best not to attempt to clean the ductwork yourself. Apart from facing the dangers of mould exposure, you also need specialised equipment to thoroughly clean out your HVAC system’s ductwork as well as its vents.
HVAC Systems Are Complex
A commercial HVAC system is a complex machine composed of many parts, with each one requiring a different approach to cleaning and maintenance. To figure out what’s causing dirty vents, HVAC cleaning specialists inspect the entire system carefully, without damaging any of its components or dislodging vital connections.
Trying to clean clean ducts and vents on your own could end up health problems and damaging the system, which could lead to costly repairs or even replacement. and even health problems when not done properly.
Why It’s Important to Keep Vents Clean
Cleaning vents regularly offers many benefits to health, productivity as well as energy- and cost-efficiency.
1. It Helps Improve Indoor Air Quality
Dirty, clogged vents can negatively impact indoor air quality (IAQ). Research suggests that poor IAQ can result in health issues or exacerbate existing respiratory conditions like asthma. This phenomenon is often referred to as “sick building syndrome” or SBS.
SBS symptoms include irritation of the throat, itchy skin, cough, drowsiness and headache. Some studies also suggest that poor IAQ can impact employees’ productivity and cognitive function. To help safeguard the health and wellness of its employees, it’s important to conduct regular HVAC cleaning regularly.
2. It Prolongs the Life of Your HVAC System
Blocked, clogged or dirty air vents force HVAC systems to work harder to take in air. If not cleaned, they could cause the HVAC system’s parts to wear out sooner than they should. Eventually, the system may fail.
Regular cleaning is key to ensuring the continued performance of your commercial HVAC system. It also prevents the costly problems that come with overstrained HVAC systems, such as frozen air-conditioning coils and cracked heat exchangers.
3. It Keeps Your Commercial Property Comfortable
As previously mentioned, dirty ducts and vents may result in overworked HVAC systems. An inefficient HVAC system will not be able to heat or cool effectively, diminishing the comfort of your employees and customers.
How Often Should You Have the Vents Cleaned?
It depends on factors such as the size of your property, the type of HVAC system you have and what kind of facility you own or operate. Hiring an HVAC professional takes the guesswork out of deciding the frequency of cleaning and helps ensure your system is in compliance with Australian Standards. An HVAC professional can also assess your entire system to determine if repairs are needed or if some parts, such as air filters, need to be replaced.
Did you know that how well (or how poor) air conditioning installation is done can impact how easy it is to conduct the regular cleaning that the entire system needs? Make sure that you choose a trusted and experienced contractor for HVAC installation, maintenance, and repair.
Top Choice for HVAC Cleaning in QLD and NSW
HP6 specialises in HVAC solutions for commercial, industrial and residential applications. If you’d like to learn more about vent and duct cleaning or other HVAC maintenance services, feel free to get in touch with us using the form below, send an email to [email protected] or call 1300 HP6 NOW.