Most of Ontario’s new homes and most existing homes have forced air distribution. Duct cleaning generally refers to cleaning the ducts used to circulate warm and cold air of forced air systems. But it can also include cleaning other components of your home’s heating and cooling system, including your furnace fan, coils, heat exchangers, and much more. Following, we will discuss the average cost of duct cleaning, the importance of duct cleaning, benefits, and more.
What are Ducts?
Ductwork is the structure of ducts used to transport air from your HVAC system throughout your home. Properly installed and cleaned ducts are vital to clean indoor air and an efficient HVAC system.
Why is it Important to Clean Your HVAC Ductwork?
Most homeowners are not aware of this but heating units generate small amounts of carbon monoxide (CO),which is normally transferred outdoors through the ductwork. However, CO can make itself into the house if there is any obstruction in the pipes and vents
Fortunately, CO disasters can be avoided with a professional inspection of your system to ensure all ducts are clean and unobstructed. Moreover, an annual preventative inspection will keep your equipment operating at optimum efficiency and avoid any emergency repairs.
Average Cost of Duct Cleaning in Ontario
The average cost of duct cleaning in Ontario is $485, or between $350 and $625. The bigger and dirtier the project is, the more you can expect to pay with many services. When an expert duct cleaner comes to inspect your duct system, they will consider:
- Size and type of ductwork system
- Home size
- System accessibility
- Level of contamination
- Number of supply vents in the house
- Services offered
How Often Should I Clean My Air Ducts?
As discussed earlier, air ducts transport cooled and heated air throughout your house. To ensure optimum efficiency, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommends air duct cleaning every 3 to 5 years. .
Related: How Often to Clean Ducts
Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning
Indoor air quality is the number one concern of homeowners when they decide to clean their air ducts. A clean HVAC system is vital to the health and safety of your family and a problem free furnace.
Families generate significant amounts of contaminants and air pollution through regular use of a house. The HVAC system sucks these contaminants and re-circulate them 5 to 7 times per day, on average. Over years, contaminants build up in the ductwork.
Dirty ducts don’t necessarily mean unhealthy air in your home. However, suppose you suffer from a respiratory health condition or an autoimmune disorder. In that case, dirty ducts and a dirty furnace could be contributing to even more significant health issues.
The Department of Energy estimates that on average, a home HVAC system wastes 20 to 50 percent of its energy. Contaminants in the heating and cooling system cause it to work harder and shorten the life of your system.
Even with filters, a heating and cooling system still collects dirt and other contaminants.It’s important to schedule an annual furnace tune up.
When an HVAC system is clean, it doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain your desired temperature. As a result, the improved furnace efficiency results in lower energy bills.
In general, benefits of duct cleaning include:
- Cleaner indoor air quality
- Eliminates rodents, dust, mold, allergens
- Removes unpleasant smells and odours
- Increased efficiency of system
Can I Clean My Ducts Myself?
Cleaning air ducts is not a DIY job. It requires special tools, such as a high-powered vacuum and soft-bristled brushes. Moreover, an improper cleaning job could damage the ducts, resulting in expensive repairs.
What Happens if you Don’t Clean Your Air Ducts?
Without proper duct cleaning, the moisture in the ductwork grows mold and mildew. Consequently, the forced air system blows mold through your home causing an unpleasant smell and a sick family.
How Long Does Duct Cleaning Take?
Most cleanings will take up to 90 minutes. The amount of time it takes to clean your air ducts depends on many factors. These factors include the size of the home and the extent of the contamination.
To get a time estimate, request two or more qualified contractors to inspect your system. The quotes will provide you with a general idea of how long the job should take and how thoroughly the contractor plans to do the job.
The Air Duct Cleaning Process and What One Can Expect from a Cleaning Service Provider
If you choose to have your ducts cleaned, the service provider should:
- To ensure that the full system is cleaned and inspected, open all access doors.
- Inspect the system before cleaning to ensure that it contains no dangerous materials such as asbestos. Asbestos should not be disturbed.
- Use a high-powered vacuum to pump contaminants outside your home.
- Cover furniture and carpet during cleaning.
- In conjunction with vacuum cleaning, brush duct surfaces to remove particles.
- Use only soft-bristled brushes for ducts lined with fiberglass.
- Ensure the ductwork, including sealing and re-insulating any access holes, is airtight.
Watch out for duct cleaning scams.
Final Word: Average Cost of Duct Cleaning
Cleaning your air ducts is not always necessary. However, homeowners must be aware of the benefits of a clean duct system and the risks of not cleaning.
It would be best always to use the filter type recommended by the HVAC manufacturers to ensure that it works efficiently and fits correctly.