How To Clean A Ducted Heating & Cooling System

When you live in a country that gets as hot as Australia does, or if you live in a city that gets as cold as Melbourne does, it’s no surprise that you’ll be using your ducted heating and cooling system quite regularly.

We probably don’t spend too much time thinking about these systems and what goes on behind our walls. But that’s why we have to be alert to possible problems with the ducts. Show them the same love that they’ve shown you by giving the ducts a good clean every now and then.

Why You Should Clean Your Ducted System

The first reason why you should clean your ducts every 12 months is that their general functioning will not work if you do not maintain and keep them clean. More importantly, however, you need to make sure your system is operating within health and safety regulations. Any faulty system can cause carbon monoxide to build up inside the ducts and then spread through your house with the convection airflow. In addition, dust build up in the ducts can turn into a potential fire hazard.

Clean the Ducts Yourself

Unless there are any major problems with the way your system is working and functioning, you should be able to periodically take care of the dirty business of cleaning yourself. Keep an open eye for surprises, especially if you have children or pets running around the house. It’s not uncommon to find toys, food, colouring pencils and even bits of hair or dander in your vents. Here are a few ways to clean your ducts:

  • First remove the vent grates. Wash these in warm, soapy water and allow them to dry completely before you put them back.
  • If there has been a spill of some sort inside the vent and you see dirt that is different to dust, get a damp cloth and clean the area thoroughly. Then find a dry one and make sure not to leave behind any moisture.
  • Get a good-quality air filter to fit to your system. These can be used in the grates to trap dust and dirt. Change them twice yearly, or wash and dry them regularly.
  • When you remove the grates, remove any large debris by hand, and then gently vacuum away any remaining dust or particles carefully so you don’t damage the vent.

When to Call a Professional Service

There are just some types of duct problems that you shouldn’t attempt to solve on your own for the safety of your system and your home. Here are a few instances when you should get in touch with a professional:

  • Can you smell mould? Maybe you can see it. Mould is a problem and needs to be addressed immediately by a professional, otherwise it will recur.
  • If you’ve just moved into a new home, you should have someone take a look at your ducted system to make sure everything is on the up-and-up.
  • If you or someone in your family is experiencing allergic reactions, like sneezing, watery eyes and coughing, when the heat or air is on, there might be allergens or a build-up in your vents. Check with a doctor as well.
  • If you notice that dust and dirt is actually being released into your home, it’s time to call someone to get rid of all the excessive waste.
  • Hear a bit of rattling inside your ducts? You might have a pest problem. Rats, mice and insects can live in ducts, so if you’re having this problem, it is definitely time to call a professional.

Call Jacob Refrigeration in Melbourne for a free quote on cleaning and maintenance services. We do same-day service calls and offer great warranty repairs on products that we’ve supplied and installed.

See also: How Do You Know When It’s Time For An Air Conditioning Replacement?

Author: Jan Yakoob

Jan is the managing director of Jacob Refrigeration, a leading company with more than 35 years of experience in air conditioning and refrigeration installation. We continually exceed client expectations through quality, reliability and efficiency.