How to Clean Ducted Air Conditioning Vents

Clean ducted air conditioning at all times to ensure it functions well. There will be a circulation of air in exchange for clean air, and the unit will take more time to be dead before changing. Indeed, an air-conditioning system saves much energy if properly maintained; it also prevents dust or allergens from circulating in your home or office or, even worse, the mold inside your house. Much of this work involves cleaning your air conditioning vents regularly. Here, we explain how to clean ducted air conditioning vents efficiently, thus ensuring that your systems remain in prime condition.

Why Clean Air Conditioning Vents?

Before we let the cat out of the bag and give it away to you, let us first, for a moment, step back and reflect on why we need to do this in the first place. Ducted air conditioning vents gather, over time, all sorts of dust, dirt, pollen, and other debris. As they collect within the ducts, this reduces airflow through the vents, among other things, leading to:

Less efficiency: Clogged systems work extremely hard to obtain the temperature you want them to, thereby increasing energy consumption and electricity bills.

System breakdowns: They also carry in dust allergens and sometimes even mold through their ducts, affecting the quality of air inside, precipitating or worsening respiratory issues or allergies.

System faults: Neglecting will only multiply the possibilities of breakage. Instead of costly repairs, even premature replacement, let a professional clean the system.

Now that we have read about why ducted air conditioning vents need cleaning, it is time to dive into the steps and tips on how to clean ducted air conditioning vents right.

Turn Off the System Before Cleaning

First and most importantly switch off the system before you start cleaning ducted vents. It prevents the dust from blowing throughout your house or even causing injury if in case you meet any of the moving parts. As a precautionary measure, ensure you have switched off the main power supply in case electric shocks or accidents are to happen.

Remove the Vents

After turning off the system, remove the air conditioning vents. Most of the vents are screwed or clipped to the unit; therefore, it is best that you prepare a screwdriver for its removal. When removing the vents, be careful since they are skinny in composition, and you might easily break or bend them.

Remove the Vents

After turning off the system, remove the air conditioning vents. Most of the vents are screwed or clipped to the unit; therefore, it is best that you prepare a screwdriver for its removal. When removing the vents, be careful since they are skinny in composition, and you might easily break or bend them.

Identify Where You Want to Clean Out the Vents

For each vent you remove, mark the one removed so that when it’s time to reinstall it, you’ll know which goes where. That could save you heaps of time and frustration in the long run.

Vacuum the Ducts and Vents

Remove all the vents and vacuum as much of the dust and debris as you can. Attach the brush to your vacuum to loosen any loose debris within the ducts. Be quite specific and do not forget the edges and the corners which collect the most dust.

If your vacuum hose is short enough to reach those distant ducts, you can either have a portable vacuum with a long hose or seek professional help for your whole duct system.

Vent Cleaning Using Soapy Water

Once you’ve vacuumed, it’s best to clean the vents very thoroughly using a solution of warm water and very mild soap. All that dust, dirt, and grease is thus removed from the vents—soft rags or a sponge work best when sweeping through all areas of the vent blades. For particularly stubborn spots, a soft brush or even a toothbrush could be helpful.

Work must be done minus using any form of harsh chemicals that might wear out the finish on the vents. Dry your vents completely before reinstalling to avoid mold.

Check and Replace Air Filters

Clean the vents and ducts while you’re inspecting and cleaning the air filters. Dirty filters not only mean your system will have to work harder but also decrease airflow to your home. Clean or replace/split them, depending on the sort of filter you use.

Washable filters: Clean with new, mild soap, and fresh water. Allow them to thoroughly dry before installing them again.

Disposable filters: Just swap them out for new ones every few months or according to your manufacturer.

Check your house’s air filters every 1 to 3 months, depending on how much usage and the environment. It must be replaced quite often in homes containing pets or family members who suffer from allergies.

Check for Mold and Mildew

Another common issue a ducted air conditioner can encounter is the growth of mold or mildew inside it, especially if its location is prone to being damp or humid in nature. Mould lowers indoor air quality and potentially brings about health issues as well. Look for mould or mildew growth in the ductwork and vents; these might appear like dark spots or blotches.

If you see any mold, call in the professionals to treat the mold. More minor mold spots can be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution, but large infestations need professionals.:

You can install a dehumidifier or ensure that your air conditioning system is installed with proper drainage as a means of preventing future mold infestation.

Clean the Fan and Coils

Air circulating in it and fans and coils. Over time, they normally get dusty as debris will lodge inside. At this stage then, the ducts and vents have been cleaned. It would be a good opportunity also to check on the fan and coils if they will have to be cleaned too.

Clean coils: Use a coil cleaner or a solution of water with mild detergent. Clean the coils very gently since they are delicate; so much carelessness can destroy them. A dusting cloth can be used on fan blades for dust buildup.

This is too technical a job, or you are not sure how your system works internally. You may hire a professional technician.

Install the Vents and Activate the System

Allow the vents to dry out first before installing them on your system. This will mean you can start activating the system after installing all your vents and see if it has improved the flow of air.

Run the system for a few minutes to listen for any unusual sounds. If you feel or hear any unusual noises, then there could be an issue, and you’ll need to find a professional.

Prepare Yourself for Professional Maintenance

While deep ducted air conditioning vent cleaning is very much in demand, it is also somewhat necessary to get professional annual maintenance at least. Your system could be deeply deep cleaned by a certified technician, and checks would be done for possible problems so that it would work perfectly, should a certified technician carry out regular professional air conditioning maintenance works.

A healthier and cleaner home by Duct Technical Works LLC.

All this advice helps keep your air conditioner clean, but sometimes, what needs to happen is professional cleaning. For this, Duct Technical Works LLC is always trying to present you with the best professional air duct cleaning so that your system operates efficiently and renders clean, fresh air to any environment – home or office. Our skilled technician has advanced tools and techniques to handle even the most daunting cleaning tasks.

If you want to purify the air circulating within your house and perfect the function of your air conditioner, simply contact us today at Duct Technical Works LLC. We will keep your home comfort and your air conditioning at its excellent peak.