6 Ways To Make Your Duct Cleaning Service Last Longer | Frisco, TX
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There is a lot of controversy surrounding whether air duct cleaning services can improve the indoor air quality of your home. Before you agree to getting the ducts cleaned, you should definitely speak with a reputable HVAC company in your area to see where they stand on the matter. You should also learn more about the different techniques and strategies that they employ to not only clean the ducts, but also ensure that your home stays clean. You’d be surprised by how much dirt and dust can accumulate within the ducts.
Once you’ve received a proper duct cleaning, the next step is to make sure that the duct cleaning service lasts. This means that you are responsible for maintaining the overall condition within your home. You should know how to prevent pollutants from entering the duct systems. The better that you can take care of your ducts, the longer the results of the duct cleaning service in Frisco, TX will last.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the different types of strategies and techniques that you can implement in order to keep your ducts clean. You should discuss the effectiveness and feasibility of these various techniques with the HVAC company after they have performed the duct cleaning service.
#1. Smoke Outdoors
Recent studies have shown that smoking cigarettes can have a negative impact on the quality of the air inside your home. These studies found that homeowners who smoke cigarettes inside will typically have a higher particle count reading in their home than those who do not smoke at all. Duct cleaning service can remove these particles; however, the results won’t last long if you continue to smoke indoors.
If you need an excuse to quit smoking, this is a great one. These studies show that the pollutants from your cigarette will circulate within the air inside your home and have a negative impact on everyone who resides there. Quitting smoking is difficult. Due to this reason, you might not be able to do so immediately. If you’ve just gotten your ducts cleaned, consider smoking outdoors from now on. You should try to smoke in the yard or somewhere far away from any entrances of your home.
On this note, it’s also a good idea to stop vaping or even smoking marijuana indoors. The particles from the smoke can also easily get trapped within the ducts; thus, cause the Frisco, TX duct cleaning service to be less effective.
#2. Change the Filters Regularly
Another thing that you should consider is to switch out and change the filters in the HVAC system regularly. The air filters are integral in maintaining the overall air quality within your home. If the filters are clogged and dirty, dirt and dust easily get trapped inside the ducts. These particles can also begin to circulate within the home, especially when you turn on the HVAC system.
The frequency of which you should change the filters will depend on how often you use the HVAC system. Most experts recommend changing the filters every month if you turn on the AC unit or the heating system regularly. This will prevent any pollutants from being able to reside within the ducts. You’ll also ensure that the results of the duct cleaning service will last.
The Different Types of Filters
While we’re on the note of changing the filters, you should also be made aware that different types of filters have different efficiencies and are able to remove different types of pollutants from the air. Depending on what you’re concerned about, you might want to switch the type of filters that you use. Let’s take a look at some of the most common types of filters below and what they can do.
Fiberglass Air Filters
These filters are disposable and also the most affordable; however, they’re the least effective when it comes to removing pollutants from the air. Because of this reason, they need to be changed regularly, and they’re also not a good type of filter to have if you’re keen on making the results of the duct cleaning service last.
Those who are prone to respiratory problems should highly consider staying away from these filters and switching to new ones. Many people find that their respiratory conditions will improve once they switch to another type of filter.
Pleated Filters
PleasPleated filters are the most popular types of filters that you’ll find in most HVAC systems. These filters are often made from either polyester or cotton. They’re quite effective at filtering dust and other pollutants from the air. If you have these filters in your HVAC system, take a look at the amount of pleats that the filters have. The more pleats, the better the filter is at removing pollutants from the indoor air.
Electrostatic Air Filters
Electrostatic air filters are pretty interesting because they use an electrostatic charge in order to attract dust and other airborne pollutants. These air filters are also quite effective. Some of them are washable while others aren’t.
UV Filters
If you’re most concerned about microbiological growth and activity, then you can’t go wrong with UV filters. These filters use ultraviolet light to kill microbiological activity in your home. It’ll be able to easily and effectively get rid of bacteria and viruses that are circulating within the air.
These filters, however, are less effective in screening dust and other pollutants, so they will not necessarily make the effects of the duct cleaning service last. Still, they’re quite a decent option.
HEPA Filters
Last but not least, we have high efficiency particulate air filters, also known as HEPA filters. These filters are great for screening contaminants in the air. In fact, they can get rid of about 99.7% of pollutants in the air, which is why they are the most recommended option by the US Department of Energy. These filters are great for those who struggle with respiratory conditions and allergies.
The only downside of these filters is that they are a bit expensive; however, if you want to make your duct cleaning services last, these are a great option!
When you get a duct cleaning service, the HVAC company should also take a look at the condition of the filters after the cleaning. Many companies will recommend changing the filters when getting the duct cleaning services. This not only ensures that the duct cleaning service in Frisco, TX will last, but also ensures that your ducts get a new start after the duct cleaning service.
#3. Opening the Windows Often
Indoor air tends to contain more pollutants than outdoor air. Due to this reason, one of the easiest ways that you can improve indoor air quality is to simply open the windows more often and let air circulate. You’d be surprised by just how much cleaner your ducts can be if you allow more air to enter your home.
It’s also a good idea to get more fresh air. It’ll help brighten your mood and also improve your quality of living.
#4. Install a Portable Air Purifier
If you want to make sure that the results of the Frisco, TX duct cleaning service lasts, you can also consider installing a portable air purifier. Air purifiers are great at removing smoke from tobacco and cooking, dust mites, mold, pet dander and other types of pollutants from your home. They’re a great investment for those who might struggle with respiratory conditions and illnesses.
There are many different types of air purifiers, and you might want to speak with the HVAC company in order to get a better idea of the type of air purifier that might be best suited for your home. Below, we’ll look at some of the more popular options.
Mechanical Filters
These are some of the most common types of air purifiers that you’ll find in homes. Most of these air purifiers will use HEPA filters that will collect pollutants that are found in the air in order to prevent them from entering the duct system to begin with. This can easily lengthen the results of the duct cleaning service, so that you don’t need them as regularly.
The only issue with these air purifiers is that they do not help with gases or odors, so if you’re trying to get the air purifier to get rid of weird smells, this isn’t the type of purifier that you should choose. Another thing to note is that these purifiers tend to be more expensive to repair and maintain. You’ll need to replace the filters every 6 to 12 months as well, and the filters can be rather expensive.
Activated Carbon Filters
If you’re concerned about weird odors, then this is the air purifier for you. These air purifiers use sorbent filters that rely on activated carbon to absorb pollutants from the air. These purifiers can also absorb gases. The activated carbon will not be able to absorb particles from the air, so make sure that you choose one that also comes with a pleated filter. Don’t forget that the more pleats that the filter has, the better it is at removing pollutants from the air!
Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI)
UVGI filters are also another popular option. These purifiers are able to kill airborne microbes with UV lamps. They can easily kill viruses, bacteria and fungal spores with ease. The only issue is that these purifiers aren’t that great at removing pollutants.
If you’re interested in this type of purifier, you need to make sure that the UV light that’s generated is not only powerful, but also present long enough to kill the microbes. The UV light exposure should last from several minutes to several hours for optimal efficacy.
A downside of these air purifiers is that they can get rather expensive.
#5. Clean Often
The reason why many ducts are filled with dirt and dust is because homeowners neglect regular cleaning. Another simple way that you can improve overall air quality indoors is to simply clean often. This means that you should make it a routine to dust the window sills and the curtains. You should also vacuum regularly as well. This will remove a lot of the dirt, dust and other pollutants that are inside your home.
#6. Take Care of Some Plants
Having plants inside your home will not only improve your mood, but it’ll also improve the quality of the air and make sure that your ducts stay cleaner for a longer period of time. You don’t necessarily have to take care of a lot of plants either. You can simply purchase some easy-to-manage plants at a nursery.
Taking care of plants is not only good for the air quality inside your home, but it can also lift your spirits and improve your mental health as well. Many people find that they’ll feel like their entire house has transformed by simply taking care of some plants. They’ll feel like they’re more in touch with nature.
Cleaner Ducts Equal Better Air Quality
In order to ensure that the air quality within your home remains high, you should highly consider getting duct cleaning services in Frisco, TX every once in a while. Make sure that you choose a company that will provide you with before and after photos, so you know just how effective the duct cleaning service is.
One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas has NATE-certified technicians that can provide you with up-to-date information on the type of HVAC services that your home needs. We’ll be able to help you improve the indoor air quality (IAQ), and will even be able to measure the amount of pollutants that may be circulating in the air. You can rest assured that you’re in good hands!
To learn more about our duct cleaning services and what you can do to keep the IAQ of your home high, give us a call at 817-835-6016. We also offer emergency HVAC services and are at your beck and call!