Should You Get Your Dryer Vent Cleaned

Dan has been in the HVAC manufacture for 23 years with experience ranging from installation and service to sales and distribution.

Cleaning your ducts volition cut downward on dust in your home for a long hereafter.

Cre8tor

Reduce Dust in Your Home and Save Money Doing It

At that place are many reasons to make clean the air ducts in your home. When ducts are clean, the heating arrangement lasts longer (because there is less clay wearing out its components), we dust less often, and the air we breathe at home is cleaner. For those of usa with allergies, this should be a welcome improvement.

Probably, y'all don't own a high-powered, truck-mounted vacuum arrangement with 150 pes-hoses, and perhaps yous can't afford the cost of such a service, only I am going to tell yous how you can make clean air ducts yourself. Sure, you won't exist able to achieve every nook and cranny, simply you can still eliminate roughly 85% of the dust in your organization without spending whatsoever more than the price of your new furnace filter.

In that location are many different designs of duct systems, such as cranium systems and underground systems, just the theory of cleaning these systems is the same. You may not exist able to access all parts of these systems (for example, underground ducts), only yous can make a difference in your air quality by cleaning the parts of the system that yous tin can reach.

Before we get started, check out this video of what one of those high-powered, truck-mounted vacuum systems looks similar at piece of work on a pretty neglected duct system.

Video of Professional person Duct Cleaning from Inside the Ducts

What Yous Need to Clean Your Air Ducts

1. Furnace Filter: Yous will definitely demand a new furnace filter at the end of the chore. Make sure you choose the correct filter selection for you.
2. Vacuum: A household-blazon vacuum with a decent hose attached volition work, but a heavier-duty "Shop Vac" unit is better, if available.
3. Brush: Something closely resembling a toilet castor volition work best, only a stiff-bristle paintbrush or something similar will exercise.
4. Screwdriver or Hex Driver: Your registers are likely held in place by some kind of fasteners. You lot will need to use whatever tool fits the fasteners, commonly a Phillips screwdriver or ane/4" hex driver.
5. Paper Towels: Unless yous want to practice a lot of dusting and sweeping right after you clean your ducts, yous will notice these useful to embrace some registers while y'all make clean others.

Step-by-Stride Duct Cleaning

1. Cover supply registers. Start past covering up your supply air registers (openings that supply heated air to the rooms) with paper towels. You practise this to go on dislodged dust from drifting into the rooms equally yous work. Simply lift the register, wrap the paper towel over the tiptop of it, and replace information technology.

Covering the annals helps keep the dust down.

Cre8tor

2. Turn on fan. You lot want the fan running while you are cleaning, to motility the dust along that you are going to loosen with your banging and brushing. Prepare the thermostat to "fan on," and close off the "heat/cool" style so that only the fan is running. If you don't have a fan-only choice, y'all can run the heat, or you might take this opportunity to install a newer thermostat with this helpful option.

3. Check filter. Make sure your old furnace filter is in place, then that the dust y'all knock loose doesn't end up getting pulled into the fan motor.

iv. Loosen dust in ducts. Knock loose any buildup of grit in the duct piece of work. But take the handle of your brush and begin tapping on any accessible duct work you take in the basement. This will assist suspension up whatever deposits of dampened dust that may accept stuck to the insides of the duct.

five. Clean supply registers. At present you can start sweeping out the dust in your supply registers. With the vacuum running and the terminate of the hose nigh the annals, lift the register. Utilise the hose to grab any dust that is being pushed out by the fan, and proceed to sweep as far into the register'south pipe every bit your hose can reach. Utilise your brush to scuff loose any built upwards dust in the register. Equally you go through the house sweeping out the supply registers, y'all tin remove and dispose of the paper towels you've put in place.

The registers in the floor should lift out easily.

Cre8tor

6. Clean return air registers. Sweep out your return air registers. These will likely be fastened with a screw and require your tool to remove them. Again, brush and sweep equally far back into the register pipe or crenel as you can.

Scroll to Keep

Read More From Dengarden

Render air registers are usually mounted to the wall. They assemble more dust and dirt than supply registers.

Cre8tor

7. Shut off fan and furnace. Close the fan off at the thermostat and the power off to the furnace via the service switch or breaker console. Do not but shut off the thermostat, because that doesn't turn off the power to the unit of measurement.

8. Clean out blower compartment and render air boot. With the power off, you lot tin can remove the panels on the front end of the furnace and access the blower compartment and the render air boot. Apply your vacuum to sweep upwards the dust built up in the blower compartment and return air kicking. This is where the great bulk of your dust volition be. Since you're in hither, you lot should clean the furnace fan likewise. Take a look at the detailed article (with pictures) I wrote, How to Make clean a Furnace Fan for a guide on doing this.

9. Supersede furnace filter. Ownership a ameliorate filter will definitely cutting downwardly on the grit in your dwelling house. But the improve the filter, the more than frequently you should change it; a dirty filter restricts the airflow to the fan, which results in the blower motor running hotter and reducing its lifespan. How often you should change your filter depends on your home, your pets, and your location.

My Furnace Filter Recommendation: Filtrete MPR 1000s

I'm asked a lot about what filter I utilise. I prefer these Filtrete MPR m filters. They filter a majority of the bad stuff that could be circulating through your dwelling's ductwork, exercise a great job keeping the ducts clean over the long haul, and they aren't such a tight filter that they need replacing too often (like the MPR 1500s, for example). They're just a really good balance betwixt practiced air and low maintenance.

Furnace filter

Cre8tor

Accessing Main Ducts

The areas you could non reach with the steps above are not likely to comprise a lot of dust and dirt. Nevertheless, if you are determined to clean every place you tin can, in that location are a couple more things you can practice.

1. Remove end caps from rectangular duct work. If you take rectangular duct work, like in the motion picture below, you can remove the end caps to access the inside of the ducts. Yous tin can slide the "drives" down off the duct and pull the cap out of the "slips." So long equally the duct is non butting up against the wall, you should be able to reach your vacuum hose in through the space uncovered by removing the cap, and sweep out any dust yous find. You could even use a flashlight to expect within the duct for dirty areas.

The vertical piece of metal on the right is called a bulldoze. Information technology is folded over on the top and lesser of the duct to concord it in place. With a pair of pliers, y'all can unfold it and pull the bulldoze down off the duct on both sides to disassemble the 2 pieces.

2. Clean inside basement registers. Often duct piece of work will include registers installed throughout the arrangement to distribute air to the basement. If you remove these registers, you'll gain even further access to the master body line.

Congratulations!

If you do what you can of the items above, yous will have made a pregnant dent in the grit in your environment, and you lot volition have done the all-time yous tin can, short of calling a professional air duct cleaning visitor.

Want to Further Meliorate the Freshness of Your Domicile's Air?

Now that your ducts are clean, perhaps you'll desire to have your indoor air quality to the adjacent level. Larn more about the easy DIY methods at your disposal for reducing odors and improving air quality with my commodity Furnace Smells: How to Reduce or Eliminate Odors in Your Air Ducts.

Do-Information technology-Yourself Duct Cleaning

This commodity is accurate and true to the best of the author'southward cognition. Content is for informational or amusement purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional person advice in business concern, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Questions & Answers

Question: I have vents in every room by the ceiling, and I have no basement. My furnace is in the cupboard of my 1 level business firm. How tin can I clean information technology myself?

Reply: There are many different designs of duct systems, such as attic systems and underground systems, only the theory of cleaning these systems is the same. You lot may not be able to access all parts of these systems (for case, underground ducts), simply y'all tin make a difference in your air quality by cleaning the parts of the organisation that you tin can reach.

Question: This is a very helpful commodity, also wondering about how long to go out the fan on for?

Reply: Thanks. I exit my fan run about 345 days a year.

Question: When cleaning my ventilation ducts, tin can I leave the fan and furnace on if I just want to vacuum out the cavity beneath the air register?

Answer: Certain. In that location'south no trouble with that.

Question: You say you lot leave your furnace fan running 345 days of the year; doesn't this increment your utility neb quite a bit?

Answer: Of course it's not free but it'south barely noticeable. The cost of keeping a fan running once it's gotten started is minimal and when you gene in the furnace running less cycles per day it becomes a wash or better sometimes. Then there'south the comfort of having even temperatures throughout the firm. That in itself is worth the times when it does perhaps cost me a few dollars a calendar month. I recommend you give information technology a try. To gauge the cost yous'd really desire to first in a month where there's no real demand for heating or cooling so you can see the touch on on your bills. If you beginning now (winter) it's hard considering of class your beak is going to be higher than concluding month so how much of that is a result of running the fan is hard to detect. Perhaps you lot can compare to last yr at this time and see assuming your electrical hasn't gone up.

Question: When cleaning air ventilation ducts, practise I run just the fan or the fan on cool? Should the thermostat be in cool or estrus mode?

Answer: Y'all exit everything you lot would as normal but switch the fan to "on". The rest of the system volition yet operate equally it normally would, but the fan will proceed to run between cycles.

Question: Are registers and vents the same thing?

Answer: The terminology gets confusing, but yes. There are return air registers/vents that depict air back to the fan and should not have a way to close and supply air vent bring conditioned air back to the rooms and usually tin be shut via a damper of some sort. Whether in the floor, on the wall, or in the ceiling they are all registers/vents.

Question: How often should we clean our ducts?

Answer: I would recommend having the furnace cleaned annually simply the ducts less ofttimes. It actually depends on the person (allergies, etc.) and the home (number of pets, etc.).

Question: When cleaning the return ducts should all registers be covered to preclude dust from going thru the business firm while the fan is on?

Answer: I believe that's mentioned in this article. I would recommend it, aye.

Question: Are solid foursquare ducts better and cleaner than collapsable types?

Respond: Cleaner aye. Improve? Depends on how they're installed but if proper, then non actually. They each fill the need they are designed for. I personally would use hard duct whenever I can just flex duct is necessary in sure applications.

Question: I have dust around my ceiling registers in some rooms and my filter on return register gets dusty and dirty in less than a month. Will cleaning above help?

Respond: Cleaning never hurts but every business firm is different with a lot of factors that determine how dusty a house gets and how fast.

Question: I call up a lot of grit got sucked into my ceiling ducts. I can clean one mean solar day and write my name in the grit the side by side day. What practise you recommend?

Answer: My article is intended to make things "better" for homeowners who may non be able to afford a pro cleaning or only to perform upkeep and improve their air quality. Ceiling ducts are ofttimes connected to flexible ducting so the theory is the same, just you have to be conscientious not to tear the interior liner. So, carefully do the all-time yous can but if you want every nook and cranny and tin can afford it, rent a pro. (Don't forget that keeping your fan running helps clean your air and if yous use a pleated filter, you can do even better. Maybe have to change it more often, simply it's definitely worth information technology. Did I say run the fan? I always tell people this and they don't mind. I guess it goes against our instincts or something.)

Question: Will leaving the fan running year round increase the utility bill and how about turning off the airplane pilot calorie-free?

Answer: I leave my fan run approximately 340 days a year and notice very lilliputian if any bear upon on my electric bill. As for the pilot, I would turn mine off if I had one simply I am comfortable knowing how to and remembering to relight it when the fall rolls around. No sense burning upwardly gas for 6 months for no reason.

Question: Tin can round flex ducts be cleaned?

Answer: Yeah. More carefully and non perfectly only yes.

Question: Every time nosotros turn on the heat we go a smell throughout the trailer which smells like poop, and we immediately become nauseous. Any suggestions on what the cause may exist?

Answer: A bad heat exchanger can make an atrocious smell, and those are symptoms of CO exposure so I would definitely take it checked out and get a CO detector immediately. Ofttimes times a heat exchanger will accept a twenty twelvemonth warranty on it.

Question: I accept the large air filters (24x16x5). Tin can I add filters to the return air grills and eliminate the large Honeywell filter?

Respond: Actually, that's a pretty standard size for a residential organisation. That said, there's no real way to practise this, and it would non be financially a practiced thought if y'all could. If the furnace is in the home there are ways to put the filter right in the bottom of the furnace itself, but otherwise, I hate to say it, merely it would exist difficult to do much near this situation other than to call a visitor to do a semi-almanac maintenance for you. I empathise the inconvenience, but again, it would exist difficult or expensive or both to rearrange this. A cheesecloth over the vents would be an option but would be a lot to change them regularly. It wouldn't catch all that goes into the system, and yous would want to remove the main filter. I would fifty-fifty more and so recommend a servicing one time or twice a year since the blower volition likely dirty up faster so y'all might as well just let them change the filter and salvage the other efforts.

Question: How do I get rid of a musty smell in my house?

Answer: For a quick prepare, placing dryer sheets on the air filter could help. Just be sure they are on the correct side of the filter and so they don't get sucked into the blower and use a make clean filter.

Question: Would it help proceed dust down by putting cheesecloth on your vents permanently?

Answer: You lot would have to change them like any other filter and make certain they aren't restricting airflow, just your main filter takes care of nigh of this. It would probably exist more work and maintenance than its worth.

© 2012 Dan Reed

Horatio.Jocelyn on May 31, 2020:

2781 S Eller Ln

Larry Orchard on October 22, 2019:

nosotros alive in a 1990 Manufactured habitation with a forced air gas furnace but never had AC only heat . this year we are getting a strong moldy odor from one of the ducts into the front room and a couple of others non as bad/ had some mice in them a couple of years agone but this is moldy odor what can I practise

simon on August 23, 2019:

Hello,

I have a tenant complaining most dust built up in a condo. She wants me to pay for duct cleaning but this is a loftier rise condo. Volition people duct clean one unit in the middle of a high ascent condo? I thought in condo the duct is commonly used by everyone in the building then it doesn't make sure to do one unit of measurement.

nancy on June 24, 2019:

ane bedroom upstairs does not get absurd enough with primal air on

Thomas Wall on March 24, 2019:

I am practiced with running my Youtube Channel.... only I know null about my furnace -please help :)

Nosotros live in an one-time home with a large furnace that was converted from coal, to oil, and than to gas. In that location is a pilot calorie-free that stays on 365 days a year and it is forced air ( no fan ).

Does this make any difference for cleaning the vents with the vacuum ? Also, I do replace the furnace filters, but for whatever reason they never seem to do much (( IE they are never dirty )).

Thanks for whatever help you can give me, I am just really not a natural when it comes to furnace upkeep.

Dan Reed (writer) on July 26, 2018:

Clifford - If there is one there now then they can likely put a new one there again however a unit of measurement on the ground tin can be ran to a unit in an attic. There may exist some piping modifications that would need done just it should exist possible in about cases.

Clifford ThomasIII on July 25, 2018:

I have a older 1988 big central air conditioning unit on the roof! Can the new systems be hooked up to our duckting in our attic? Or how would they hook up the unit from a ground mounted key air-conditioning and heating unit of measurement! Thank you

Dan Reed (author) on July 24, 2018:

Give thanks you. I'm glad it helped.

Dan Reed (author) on July 23, 2018:

Ann McNally - If you accept underground ducting and it is filling with dirt and water you will have to look into some type of lining or coating or sleeving of the ductwork. There is a video in this link that shows ane particular way of sealing cloak-and-dagger duct. https://dengarden.com/appliances/The-2-Easiest-Mode...

Ann McNally ann_ mcnally@yahoo.com on July 22, 2018:

Our ac was cooling well until heavy rains that we had last week. I heard gurgling in our ground level air conditioning vents and then I turned off the ac for a number of hours until I felt similar the h2o would bleed out. When I turned it dorsum on, there was no gurgling so I idea things were back to normal. Since that night the air-conditioning is not cooling well and now I wonder if the rainwater brought dirt into the ductwork. If then, what is the remedy?

Dan Reed (writer) on June 01, 2018:

There isn't any specific equipment that I tin can recommend for cleaning your own ducts. There isn't annihilation I'k aware of for such and is why I merely recommend you lot shake em around a chip to loosen up any dust in there and allow the air move it down the line for you. Peradventure a professional company would accept something special for those merely I wouldn't be sure what that is. If you lot do have an idea then just go along in mind that y'all don't want to utilize annihilation that might puncture or tear the inner liner.

Sal on May 31, 2018:

What equipment do you employ for flex duct work?

charles on May sixteen, 2018:

very helpfull thank you

Dan Reed (author) on May 07, 2018:

Patrick - No. I practise not. Nor Aeroseal for that matter. I just know they utilise the type of applied science that is best for your blazon of situation so if y'all've found another company using this type of tech then I would accept to say it'south a coin toss as I have no groundwork on either as a company, merely the tech.

Patrick on May 07, 2018:

Thank you for the assist, Dan!

I wasn't aware of Aeroseal, thanks for pointing me in that location. Accept y'all had whatever experience with Duct Armor https://www.ductarmor.com/?

Dan Reed (author) on May 07, 2018:

Patrick - First, I personally wouldn't pay if the ducts aren't clean. That's what they charged for and that's what they should deliver. If they didn't check with a camera to see if there was some reason they couldn't clean the ducts proper and so that'southward their fault for not existence diligent on the quote and they know surreptitious ducts can present these kind of issues. Secondly, I would look into Aeroseal. Here is a link to another commodity that can assist you lot empathize that. Information technology's non cheap but would likely be cheaper than your alternatives. It's at least worth looking into. https://dengarden.com/appliances/The-2-Easiest-Way...

Patrick on May 06, 2018:

Cheers for your article.

We recently purchased a house and it turns out the heating ducts are made of Transite. The house is i story and all ducts are in the slab. We've had the air tested for asbestos, and in that location is none, but the ducts do indeed contain asbestos.

I have two questions.

We had a visitor clean the ducts. They want to accuse $700 (haven't paid still because job is not complete). They've supposedly cleaned the ducts twice now, but there is a large amount of rodent poop, debris, sand, etc. still in them. It seems like this company either doesn't know how to make clean ducts or isn't capable of doing so. They evidently didn't encompass the heat registers while they were cleaning because the entire firm is now covered in dust. Extremely frustrating considering we just had the floors cleaned and cleaned all of the shelving.

Question one: How would y'all proceed with this?

I've read online the all-time thing to do with in-slab ducts is to fill up them with concrete, cap them off, and figure out another way to supply heat to the house.

Question two: What are options here? I've researched heat pumps a bit, only actually don't want to install them as they would destroy the exterior aesthetic of the house. Just I'm thinking they might be the only pick since it is a single story house on a slab. In that location is an cranium that is accessible.

Dan Reed (author) on May 02, 2018:

Elaine - I concur but there really isn't much that can go incorrect hither. Nosotros're only cleaning and for those who can't afford a professional, this is alternative that still helps their situation quite a bit for no cost.

Elaine T. Keller on May 02, 2018:

Most of the things I did was mentioned in your article when cleaning our air ventilation. Peachy posts and I caused some some new tips. Also if things can be go wrong or for less hassle, seeking professional duct cleaning company would be a neat help.

ammywilliamsja on January xx, 2018:

You have covered all necessary points on your blog. Muddy ducts blow dust, lint and other debris into every room of your home but sometimes y'all have to telephone call professional person for all duct cleaning services.

Dan Reed (author) on Jan 19, 2018:

Unfortunately, I'm in the aforementioned boat and all you can really do is proceed cleaning. A duct cleaning can't hurt and I also run the fan on my furnace around 340 days a year which keeps air moving through my filter thus catching more of the grit and hair (and of grade significant I change my filter a scrap more oftentimes than virtually) but that is about all you can do. A duct cleaning won't really do much for the ongoing shedding and dust our kids create.

Mrs. Ryan on January 18, 2018:

My hardwood floors are ever muddy. Would air duct cleaning help all that much. I have 3 cats and one small dog and family always is in and out a lot. No i leaves shoes at door. When I look at my floors at night with a flashlight dirt is everywhere. And then I guess our family home is total of dirt all the fourth dimension because of these habits. I vacuum but it is always dirty. What do y'all think is best solution?

Janice on January thirteen, 2018:

After months of respiratory infections and then having my lung partially collapse my landlord finally agreed to make clean my air ducts but had the apartment circuitous carpet cleaning guy come do it. He was shocked and horrified. I was breathing in squirrel carrion and tons of it for months alongside a ton of mold and meldew. The air intake is located in a closet exterior my apartment on the balcony and the door to the closet had a big enough space underneath for squirrels to crawl in. He had to sweep all the poop and straw nest they made in there. It filled a quarter of a garbage bag. I have Lupus and it was not until I threatened to sue after getting out of the infirmary my landlord finally did something. The amount of stuff that was coming out of my vents was crazy. For months, everything I cooked kept getting gritty stuff in it and I finally put two and ii together and figured out information technology was the the ducts. Wish I would accept plant this info sooner. Thank you for taking the time to write this and share.

Janice on January 13, 2018:

Wow.

Dan Reed (author) on Nov 21, 2017:

Sometimes there are ducts in the attic and yes, sometimes there are registers in the wall. It all depends on the style of arrangement you accept.

BLT on November 20, 2017:

Are there air ducts in the attic? What about registers in the wall?

Dan Reed (author) on November 13, 2017:

Barbara - Dust settles more in the ducts since there is less air movement then the biggest thing y'all may notice is smell. Less dust is always good in my opinion.

Barbara Cooley on November 13, 2017:

I have a gravity furnace. My question is, does it make sense to have the ducts cleaned, since the grit (decades worth) isn't being diddled around as the furnace has no blower? I'm thinking information technology makes more sense to "let sleeping dogs prevarication." I don't notice excessive dust in the house.

Dan Reed (author) on August 25, 2017:

Pastor B - First, thanks for the kind words! The respond to the first ii questions in a nutshell is yes. Running the fan however by itself is probably the better idea to dry the system a bit. That said, it isn't a solution, just helps a chip. I would attempt to find the root of the problem and have intendance of that to end the issue. Adding things similar air cleaner and UV light to the system can help long term with some of this just having the a/c ringlet cleaned and checked (the indoor evaporator ringlet) is a proficient first if you lot've non had that done before. If the odour is coming from the crawlspace and getting pulled into the air stream is the event then sealing the ductwork with a mastic may as well be a good measure and is something you tin can practise yourself with a bucket of mastic, a paint brush, pair of rubber gloves and long sleeves....you don't want to get information technology tangled up in your arm hair and such. It can be a difficult task to go out. :-) I hope this helps and thank yous for reading!

Pastor B. on August 24, 2017:

Commencement of all your website is great and very informative! Thanks for a willingness to aid!!!

My question is a three-parter, which results from equally soon every bit I turn on the Air conditioning, "IMMEDIATELY" there is the smell of clammy air:

1) Tin crawlspace air dampness get inside the estrus commutation causing dampness in my duct work ?

2) Can an extremely dirty evaporator curlicue cause dampness and moisture in the duct work or exercise I just demand to clean the evaporator ringlet and the return duct besides?

3) If I turn on the heat, will it dry the moisture that'south in the duct work?

I await and look forward to your recommendations, and again thanks. May God anoint you lot for helping people with your gift in this profession!

Dan Reed (author) on August 10, 2017:

Christy - Y'all're very welcome and give thanks yous for the kind words and reading my article.

Christy on August 09, 2017:

Thank you and then much for all this information! I do non await upwardly how to do things usually, because my Dad taught me pretty well how to do things myself! But I wanted to make certain I did THIS correctly!

Dan Reed (author) on August 03, 2017:

Branden v - Bright! Cheers for reading and the kind words.

Branden v on July 29, 2017:

Helpful information. Cheers. I wanted to add, I cut a good length from an old garden hose,inserted within my vacuum hose and duct taped it. Information technology extended the reach further in a tight space. Pulled out a gruesome amount of canis familiaris hair. Thanks over again.

Dan Reed (author) on July 18, 2017:

Kristal - I'm sorry but in that location are and then many duct systems it would be hard for me to help without more info. If your ducts are cased in drywall information technology would be very hard to access without special equipment.

Dan Reed (author) on July thirteen, 2017:

Briana - Thank you for the feedback. I love to hear dorsum from you guys/gals. Expect into using pleated filters and peradventure even having a UV lite installed in the duct if you believe that is the source.

Briana on July 11, 2017:

I have iv kids and they take been constantly been getting sick. I had a lightbulb moment and thought maybe the air is causing this. We live in the desert and experience a lot of grit. I came across your page and cleaned them myself. Simply want to say thanks!!!! I'm certain this will help my family and then much!

Deb on June 23, 2017:

Thanks. I have a gas furnace. If I practice it myself, do I need to extinguish the pilot lite? Volition it get off past itself when I turn the ability off to the furnace? Will I demand to have it re-lit once I turn the power back on?

Dan Reed (author) on June 18, 2017:

Deb - I've never been asked about tear gassing nor do I have any experience with it. I would think not. I don't know that a standard professional person duct cleaning would practice information technology either. Perhaps call a disaster restoration company and see what they recommend. They handle drug lab clean ups and things of that nature so they could probably offering ameliorate advice. Thanks for reading.

Deb on June 17, 2017:

My firm was tear gassed but my furnace has not been turned on since the incident. Do I need to get the unit and ducts professionally cleaned or can I do it myself with these steps.

Dan Reed (writer) on June 06, 2017:

Well the idea is to create even airflow just quiet honestly, it's not often achieved. Not even in my abode. You tin have a visitor come and balance the system simply they may find it has something to do with the design or accept to add a booster fan or some sort of control organisation to brand it fully counterbalanced. It is something that could cost $100 or $1000. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Donna on June 04, 2017:

My floor register in my room doesn't allow much air menstruation. I've tried reaching down every bit far as I could with my long arms merely can only get and then much. My understanding is all ducks/floor registers are connected for even air catamenia in our basement. Everyone else's gets a lot of cold air blowing in theres. How can I become my registers air menstruum to work improve

Dan Reed (author) on May 22, 2017:

Jill - Not all HVAC companies make clean duct. There are actually businesses who specifically exercise merely that. I'm not sure who y'all spoke to only that is something to consider. In that location are besides certain duct systems that perhaps only a few companies would be equipped to handle.

Jill on May 22, 2017:

How-do-you-do, I was only told that they can't clean my ductwork...does this audio right? What could information technology possibly be made of that a visitor can't make clean my ducts?

Dan Reed (author) on May 19, 2017:

My first thought is that you accept underground duct work. If then, there are diverse means to accost that but I'm not existent familiar with them. If you don't then I'yard notwithstanding non sure what that could be. If you're in heating season, some furnaces will odour bad because the oestrus exchanger is bad and if so, you need to consider a new organization if you lot're not under warranty. Annotation: Many heat exchangers have rather long warranties. 20 years...maybe lifetime.

Carole mcaleer on May 19, 2017:

I have a sewage gas smell coming from air ducts. What would you propose?

Dan Reed (author) on May 17, 2017:

I would definitely need more info than this to help but will say first thing is to check your filter. Also, when is the last time the coils indoor and outdoor were cleaned? If the unit is running proper and yous're not getting air, these are the usual suspects.

Ivana Alfieri on May 16, 2017:

I have 3 air units in my restaurant and nothing is coming out of vents or very little air .

Dan Reed (writer) on March 08, 2017:

Colleen - I assume y'all have surreptitious ducting then and you would need to have them cleared and sealed which will likely require a off-white amount of coin and a professional. If they aren't clandestine and you're experiencing this and so it sounds similar your ducts are in need of insulating because they are in an unconditioned space and the inner and outer temps are creating condensation. Thank y'all for reading.

Colleen Vincelli on March 07, 2017:

what happens when you have a lot of h2o in your air ducts..we only have central air, not heating ?

Dan Reed (author) on Jan 16, 2017:

Thanks Greenmind!

GreenMind Guides from USA on January 15, 2017:

Hey great hub with lots of good info and advice. I like the way you write and you clearly know what you lot're talking about.

violet shrop on January 09, 2017:

Thank you so much Daniel-

Dan Reed (writer) on Jan 06, 2017:

Violet Shrop - Give thanks you and no. You lot don't want the ability off while cleaning registers...you lot want the fan running. Now one time you go to the furnace itself, at the end and you're ready to change the filter and wrap upward...yes. Turn off the power.

Thanks for reading.

VioletShrop on January 06, 2017:

This is actually well written & helpful. Simply to make sure: and so to clean your return annals, you don't need to close the power off? I wouldn't retrieve so either, mine looks like yours, just a space under the hvac chiffonier, no electric chemical element seen. Cheers.

Dan Reed (author) on January 03, 2017:

Tyler - Yes. If the breaker to the furnace is off, you should exist safe under normal circumstances. A simple voltage detector is always nice to have though to be sure. You just touch it to anything and if there is voltage, it will glimmer and/or beep. Only costs similar $twenty and is useful for many things. Thank you for reading.

Tyler on Jan 02, 2017:

If I switch off the breaker, and so I tin touch on everything on the unit of measurement at the intake right? Thanks Daniel this is awesome.

Dan Reed (writer) on December 29, 2016:

DCME - Zip really happens. You lot just won't be able to make clean that surface area without getting upwardly there. If y'all become equally much as you tin, you're still doing something.

DCME on December 12, 2016:

some of the supply registers are in a valeted ceiling. since i can't tech them what happens

Dan Reed (author) on November 24, 2016:

Christine - I call back you're misunderstanding. I'm recommending you embrace the supply registers, non the return and merely temporarily, non forever. It would accept a lot more than a paper towel over the supply registers for a few minutes to burn upwards a motor. Especially on the supply side. If it were render air, I'd say you're right but even so, it would take a lot more than than a paper towel and few minutes to cause any sort of damage to the motor.

christine on November xix, 2016:

covering the registers and running the fan will burn out the fan. bad idea.

D. Bunch on Oct 23, 2016:

We bought an older mobile home over a yr agone. I bought a wet dry vac and it didn't have enough suction power to vacuum the floor duct. The return air is disconnected. I run window a.c. units and have just floor estrus. There are blockages in the duct. So, is a shop vac better than wet/dry out vac? I need heat badly earlier winter arrives.

Dan Reed (writer) on October 13, 2016:

Bill - The metal shouldn't hold the smell and yous probably won't be able to make clean it all unless you disconnect it so for the time and attempt, I'd replace the damaged duct and registers rather than effort and clean them.

Pecker on October 08, 2016:

Hello, just bought a firm where previous possessor immune dogs to urinate all over air vents. Some urine must have leaked down air ducts. What is all-time way to clean air ducts?

Dan Reed (author) on Oct 08, 2016:

Mila - Not all ducts can feasibly exist reached and vertical ducts in the wall are not usually the master culprit in property dust. This commodity is nigh doing a pretty darn good job on your own but not necessarily to get to every nook and cranny. Thanks for reading!

Mila on October 06, 2016:

I have air exchanger the pips are in the wall.Haw can I clean them my selfish?

Kim Spraggins on September 27, 2016:

Later trying to find as good deal on air duct cleaning I thought about researching how to do it ourselves and I'thousand and so glad I did! This rehab business firm has been sitting for 9 yrs and just God knows what's been lurking and swirling around for the 2+yrs since we installed the furnace. At present with 2 cats everything gets covered in dust especially in the summer with no central air, only high-powered flooring fans. I bake cakes and have to turn them all off to keep the grit, lint, cat pilus etc from landing in them! Eeek...and when the sunday shines through the window the dust becomes even more visible! Dust, grit, dust...I can't take it any more and will be so happy when we're washed with this DIY project! Update to follow! Thank you and then much!!!! Mmmwah

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on May 02, 2015:

Daniel, these were great tips on how to clean the air vents yourself with simple and easy steps. Voted upwards for useful!

MarkE on April 10, 2015:

I would similar to add that a lot of the dust is from your domicile and mostly institute in your render vents and return ducting because every bit it pulls the air into the ducting from your house, forth with the dust and wet, some of information technology will gravitate towards the bottom of the ducting due to

1) gravity

2) moisture condensing

3) static electricity

Your supply vents ought to exist relatively clean in comparison due to the fact that there is an air filter upstream from the supply vents preventing any dust , usually, from going whatsoever farther than the filter. However there volition be some admitting a lot less in whatever outcome.

Banging on the outside of your vents may release some dust only opening upward the vents at their ends if possible volition let you to vacuum a heck of a lot more dust.

I am replacing every bit many joist liners as possible, because it is relatively cheap and gets rid of whatever rust, mold, bacteria, and of grade dust that y'all may or may not see.

Good luck in your ventures, may the wind always be at your dorsum!

Dan Reed (author) on July 25, 2014:

Well, if it's just a piece, I'd throw it away. Information technology's probable a scrap piece that's been in there longer than y'all may accept realized and in your cleaning, worked it'south mode to visibility. Unfortunately, much debris found in duct is from construction and people using the duct equally a dustpan. If you don't meet any parts missing or holes in the ducting, and so merely toss it and know that they're that much cleaner.

Nina on July 24, 2014:

Prior to reading your article, I cleaned my ductwork with a shop vac and it worked actually well. The next day I constitute a slice of ductwork in one of the floor registers. Not sure what to exercise about information technology. Whatsoever help is much appreciated.

Dan Reed (writer) on July 09, 2014:

Jeremy - I allow all comments. Particularly ones like this because it gives me the opportunity to brainwash people. Start off, if you really read the article, I clearly state this is a pretty good style to go if yous don't have the money for professionals. I'thousand guessing you're a duct cleaner and don't want me showing people a prissy alternative that will save them money and better their air quality far more than doing nothing. My articles are not aimed to help or hurt anyone's business concern...just to aid people who can't afford such services to do the best they can to help themselves enjoy these luxuries when it's within their ability to do so. I stand by every give-and-take in this article. With over xx years in HVAC from loading trucks to currently running large commercial projects and everything in between, I remember the professionals are already on information technology. Cheers for reading...or kind of anyway.

Jeremy on July 09, 2014:

lol!! You think this compares to a real cleaning in any fashion? Not even shut. Some jobs should be left to the professionals.

Dan Reed (author) on November 19, 2013:

Yeah. It is expensive. Glad I could assist.

Candice on November nineteen, 2013:

I was simply quoted betwixt $300 and $600 to clean my ducts. I reject to pay that. And so I'll exist doing this myself and I greatly capeesh this how to.

Dan Reed (author) on July 01, 2012:

Thanks bleedercleaners. Yes and the skilful news is, in a new dwelling house, if you clean the ducts really well correct after the home is built, you will cut down on much of the dust forever. Unfortunately, in a new home, the drywall and sawdust often gets into and is swept into the heat vents. Get information technology now and information technology can help a lot.

bleedercleaners on June 30, 2012:

STARTING TO SEE A Petty DUST COLLECTING ON THE REGISTERS. ALTHOUGH IT IS A NEW Business firm We Have A LOT OF Structure. Gauge THAT HAS MUCH TO Exercise WITH IT. Anyhow, Thank you! Yous GOT MY VOTE

christianajohan on April 27, 2012:

I concur with you that to have a salubrious life, let us first take a healthy environment.

Hady Chahine from Manhattan Beach on April 27, 2012:

Informative hub! Almost people don't realize the wellness benefits associated with clean duct work. Thanks.

Subhas from New Delhi, India on April 26, 2012:

This is of bully assist and surely going to help me relieve some bucks by cleaning it myself.

Eric Calderwood from U.s.a. on April 26, 2012:

This hub comes just in time for me. I was about to seal upwards all the duct-work in my basement. You have convinced me that I should take advantage of this time to exercise some cleaning first. Thanks for a great hub!

JP Carlos from Quezon City, Phlippines on Apr 26, 2012:

This is a dainty footstep by step guide on cleaning ventilation ducts. No wonder it'southward the hub of the day. Congratulations.

summerberrie on April 26, 2012:

Great information most cleaning air ducks, Cre8tor! Voted upward and useful.

Kitty Fields from Summerland on Apr 26, 2012:

Most people take no thought how much clay & grit gets trapped inside of their ducts. It'southward truly scary what other things have been found in ductwork likewise (dead animals, Coin, etc.) I have worked for the state'southward largest duct cleaning franchise company for the past 6 years, and then I hear a lot of nasty stories. Thanks for sharing. Awesome hub!

Sinea Pies from Northeastern United States on April 26, 2012:

With 2 dogs and lots of dirt exterior, you can only imagine the build upward in those air ducts over the years. We actually are putting in a new furnace so we are hiring a pro to do it...simply at present I know what to sentinel for. Great tutorial and congrats on being Hub of the 24-hour interval! Wow! Voted very UP and useful.

Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on April 26, 2012:

This is very helpful...I capeesh the step by footstep information as well equally the pictures. I will laissez passer this along to my son-in-police force as I think this is something he will use soon. As a thing of fact, he volition probably apply it at my house!!! Bully job...congrats on the hub of the twenty-four hour period too....

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on April 26, 2012:

Most of our air ducts are up in the ceiling except for the return air ducts. At to the lowest degree we tin can use your suggestions to clean those. Never fifty-fifty thought about it except for changing out the filters. Congratulations on your HOFD award.

Urmila from Rancho Cucamonga,CA, United states on April 26, 2012:

I am making my husband to read this hub so that he tin clean air ducts in our house. Useful and voted upwards.

Congrats on HOTD!

Kristin Trapp from Illinois on April 26, 2012:

I simply had my air ducts cleaned professionally a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't believe the gunk that was on the old filter afterward the chore was washed. Since then the corporeality of dust circulating around my home is drastically reduced. It never occurred to me to endeavor this job on my own. Nifty hub.

Milli from USA on April 26, 2012:

Great pace past footstep instruction to clean ducts. Thanks for sharing information technology. Voted up and congratulations on Hub of the day!

Mary Hyatt from Florida on April 26, 2012:

Congrats on Hub of the Mean solar day. This is very informative. I'm not sure I could do this my self just maybe my son in law could exercise it for me. I voted this UP, etc.etc.

Rose Clearfield from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 26, 2012:

Great tips and information! This is not something that I exercise regularly, but I really should. Congrats on getting Hub of the Solar day!

dbuddhika on Apr 26, 2012:

Congratulations HOD. Splendid and Very useful.

christianajohan on April 26, 2012:

How-do-you-do Cre8tor,

Congratulations for being a not bad writer in Hubpages. How lucky you are to accept chosen as hub of the twenty-four hour period in your informative hub!

All is well particularly if nosotros can do house task. If not, I suggest you hire someone and this hub of yours is a great guide to instruct those who will clean it.

I am looking forrad for your hubs.

I myself is eager to be chosen someday for this hub of the day reward.

kthix10 from IL on April 26, 2012:

Peachy Hub! Congrats on Hub of the mean solar day! We had ours professionally done a twelvemonth agone when nosotros bought the house, but this will help us maintain a cleaner healthier air quality in the firm.

Cynthia B Turner from Georgia on April 26, 2012:

What groovy data this is! Information technology doesn't expect besides complicated at all. It fits right in with spring cleaning. Thanks for compiling and sharing information technology here.

Clive Donegal from En Route on Apr 26, 2012:

That was very helpful. Thank you,

Michael J Rapp from United States on April 26, 2012:

Very informative Hub Cre8tor. Congrats on Hub of the Day!

kelleyward on Apr 26, 2012:

Thanks for sharing this information. This was well written making it like shooting fish in a barrel to empathise! Congrats on HOTD!

Natasha from Hawaii on April 26, 2012:

Awesome - thank you and then much. You lot're correct - I don't have a high-powered vacuum with a super long cord, so your instructions are perfect.

Congrats on the hub of the twenty-four hour period!

Source: https://dengarden.com/home-improvement/how-to-clean-ventilation-ducts

Posted by: kerrgamen1995.blogspot.com

Share this post