How Much Does Cleaning Air Ducts Cost

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

Cleaning your ducts will cut down on grit in your home for a long time to come.

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Reduce Grit in Your Habitation and Save Money Doing It

There are many reasons to make clean the air ducts in your domicile. When ducts are clean, the heating system lasts longer (considering there is less dirt wearing out its components), we dust less frequently, and the air we breathe at home is cleaner. For those of us with allergies, this should be a welcome improvement.

Probably, you don't ain a loftier-powered, truck-mounted vacuum organization with 150 foot-hoses, and perhaps you tin can't afford the cost of such a service, simply I am going to tell yous how you tin clean air ducts yourself. Sure, you lot won't be able to reach every nook and cranny, but you lot can however eliminate roughly 85% of the grit in your system without spending whatever more than the cost of your new furnace filter.

At that place are many different designs of duct systems, such as cranium systems and underground systems, but the theory of cleaning these systems is the aforementioned. You may non be able to access all parts of these systems (for example, underground ducts), but you can make a difference in your air quality by cleaning the parts of the system that y'all can reach.

Before nosotros go 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 organisation.

Video of Professional Duct Cleaning from Inside the Ducts

What You Need to Clean Your Air Ducts

1. Furnace Filter: Y'all will definitely need a new furnace filter at the terminate of the job. Make sure yous choose the right filter selection for you.
2. Vacuum: A household-type vacuum with a decent hose attached will piece of work, only a heavier-duty "Shop Vac" unit is better, if available.
3. Castor: Something closely resembling a toilet brush volition work best, merely a stiff-bristle paintbrush or something similar volition do.
4. Screwdriver or Hex Commuter: Your registers are probable held in place by some kind of fasteners. Yous will need to use any tool fits the fasteners, usually a Phillips screwdriver or 1/four" hex commuter.
5. Paper Towels: Unless you desire to do a lot of dusting and sweeping right after you lot clean your ducts, you will discover these useful to cover some registers while you clean others.

Step-by-Footstep Duct Cleaning

one. Cover supply registers. Get-go by covering up your supply air registers (openings that supply heated air to the rooms) with newspaper towels. You do this to proceed dislodged dust from drifting into the rooms as you work. Simply lift the register, wrap the paper towel over the tiptop of information technology, and supersede it.

Covering the register helps continue the dust down.

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

3. Bank check filter. Make sure your old furnace filter is in place, so that the dust you knock loose doesn't end up getting pulled into the fan motor.

4. Loosen grit in ducts. Knock loose any buildup of grit in the duct work. Simply take the handle of your castor and begin tapping on whatever accessible duct work y'all accept in the basement. This will help break upwardly any deposits of dampened grit that may have stuck to the insides of the duct.

v. Clean supply registers. Now you lot tin start sweeping out the dust in your supply registers. With the vacuum running and the end of the hose most the annals, lift the register. Use the hose to grab any dust that is being pushed out past the fan, and proceed to sweep as far into the register's piping as your hose can reach. Use your brush to scuff loose whatsoever congenital upwardly dust in the annals. As you lot go through the firm sweeping out the supply registers, you tin can remove and dispose of the paper towels you've put in identify.

The registers in the floor should lift out easily.

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6. Clean return air registers. Sweep out your render air registers. These will likely be fastened with a screw and require your tool to remove them. Again, brush and sweep as far back into the annals piping or cavity every bit you lot tin can.

Read More From Dengarden

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

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

eight. Clean out blower compartment and return air boot. With the power off, you can remove the panels on the front of the furnace and access the blower compartment and the return air kick. Utilise your vacuum to sweep upwards the grit built upwardly in the blower compartment and return air boot. This is where the great bulk of your dust will exist. Since you're in hither, you should clean the furnace fan likewise. Take a expect at the detailed article (with pictures) I wrote, How to Clean a Furnace Fan for a guide on doing this.

9. Replace furnace filter. Buying a meliorate filter volition definitely cut down on the dust in your home. Only the improve the filter, the more frequently you should modify information technology; a dirty filter restricts the airflow to the fan, which results in the blower motor running hotter and reducing its lifespan. How frequently you should modify your filter depends on your home, your pets, and your location.

My Furnace Filter Recommendation: Filtrete MPR 1000s

I'm asked a lot well-nigh what filter I utilise. I prefer these Filtrete MPR 1000 filters. They filter a majority of the bad stuff that could be circulating through your home's ductwork, do 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 actually good remainder betwixt good air and low maintenance.

Furnace filter

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Accessing Main Ducts

The areas you could not accomplish with the steps higher up are not likely to contain a lot of dust and dirt. All the same, if yous are determined to clean every identify you tin can, in that location are a couple more things you tin do.

one. Remove end caps from rectangular duct work. If you have rectangular duct work, like in the pic below, y'all tin can remove the finish caps to access the inside of the ducts. Yous can slide the "drives" downwards off the duct and pull the cap out of the "slips." Then long as the duct is not 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 you discover. You could even use a flashlight to expect inside the duct for muddy areas.

The vertical piece of metallic on the right is chosen a bulldoze. Information technology is folded over on the acme and lesser of the duct to hold it in place. With a pair of pliers, you tin can unfold information technology and pull the drive down off the duct on both sides to detach the two pieces.

2. Clean within basement registers. Often duct work will include registers installed throughout the organization to distribute air to the basement. If yous remove these registers, you'll gain even further admission to the main trunk line.

Congratulations!

If you do what you can of the items above, you will take made a significant dent in the dust in your environment, and you lot will have done the best you can, short of calling a professional person air duct cleaning company.

Want to Further Improve the Freshness of Your Home's Air?

At present that your ducts are clean, perhaps you'll want to accept your indoor air quality to the next level. Learn more well-nigh the piece of cake DIY methods at your disposal for reducing odors and improving air quality with my article Furnace Smells: How to Reduce or Eliminate Odors in Your Air Ducts.

Do-Information technology-Yourself Duct Cleaning

This article is authentic and true to the all-time of the author's knowledge. Content is for advisory or amusement purposes simply and does non substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, 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 closet of my one level house. How can I make clean it myself?

Answer: In that location are many different designs of duct systems, such as attic systems and cloak-and-dagger systems, but the theory of cleaning these systems is the same. You may non be able to access all parts of these systems (for instance, secret ducts), merely you lot tin can brand a difference in your air quality by cleaning the parts of the system that you tin achieve.

Question: This is a very helpful article, besides wondering about how long to get out the fan on for?

Answer: Give thanks y'all. I leave my fan run nearly 345 days a year.

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

Answer: Sure. There'due south no trouble with that.

Question: You say you go out your furnace fan running 345 days of the twelvemonth; doesn't this increase your utility bill quite a scrap?

Answer: Of course it'south not gratis but it's barely noticeable. The cost of keeping a fan running once it's gotten started is minimal and when y'all gene in the furnace running less cycles per twenty-four hour period it becomes a launder or better sometimes. And then there'due south the comfort of having even temperatures throughout the business firm. That in itself is worth the times when it does perhaps cost me a few dollars a calendar month. I recommend you requite information technology a attempt. To gauge the cost you'd actually want to start in a month where there'southward no existent need for heating or cooling so you tin can see the bear on on your bills. If yous start now (winter) it's hard considering of form your bill is going to be higher than last month so how much of that is a result of running the fan is difficult to detect. Perhaps you can compare to last twelvemonth at this time and meet bold your electric hasn't gone up.

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

Answer: Cleaner yes. Better? Depends on how they're installed merely if proper, then non really. They each fill the demand they are designed for. I personally would employ hard duct whenever I can but flex duct is necessary in sure applications.

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

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

Question: I recall a lot of dust got sucked into my ceiling ducts. I tin clean one day and write my name in the dust the side by side day. What practice y'all recommend?

Answer: My article is intended to make things "improve" for homeowners who may non be able to afford a pro cleaning or just to perform upkeep and amend their air quality. Ceiling ducts are ofttimes continued to flexible ducting so the theory is the same, merely you have to be careful not to tear the interior liner. So, carefully do the best you can just if you desire every nook and cranny and can beget it, rent a pro. (Don't forget that keeping your fan running helps clean your air and if you employ a pleated filter, you tin can do fifty-fifty better. Maybe take to change it more oftentimes, but it's definitely worth it. Did I say run the fan? I always tell people this and they don't heed. I judge information technology goes confronting our instincts or something.)

Question: Will leaving the fan running yr circular increase the utility bill and how about turning off the airplane pilot lite?

Answer: I leave my fan run approximately 340 days a twelvemonth and notice very little if whatsoever impact on my electrical pecker. Equally for the pilot, I would plough mine off if I had ane only I am comfortable knowing how to and remembering to relight it when the fall rolls around. No sense burning upwards gas for vi months for no reason.

Question: Tin round flex ducts be cleaned?

Answer: Aye. More carefully and not perfectly but yes.

Question: Every time we turn on the rut we become a smell throughout the trailer which smells similar poop, and we immediately become nauseous. Any suggestions on what the crusade may be?

Answer: A bad heat exchanger can make an awful smell, and those are symptoms of CO exposure so I would definitely have it checked out and become a CO detector immediately. Often times a heat exchanger will take a twenty yr warranty on information technology.

Question: How oft should we make clean our ducts?

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

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

Answer: Really, that'southward a pretty standard size for a residential organization. That said, there's no real way to do this, and it would not be financially a good idea if you lot could. If the furnace is in the home there are means to put the filter right in the bottom of the furnace itself, but otherwise, I hate to say it, but it would be difficult to practice much about this situation other than to call a company to do a semi-annual maintenance for you. I understand the inconvenience, but over again, it would exist difficult or expensive or both to rearrange this. A cheesecloth over the vents would be an option simply would exist a lot to change them regularly. It wouldn't catch all that goes into the system, and you lot would want to remove the main filter. I would fifty-fifty more so recommend a servicing once or twice a year since the blower will likely dirty upwards faster then you might besides simply let them change the filter and relieve the other efforts.

Question: How exercise I get rid of a musty odour in my house?

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

Question: Would it assistance keep dust down by putting cheesecloth on your vents permanently?

Answer: Yous would have to modify them like whatsoever other filter and brand sure they aren't restricting airflow, but your chief filter takes care of most of this. It would probably be more than work and maintenance than its worth.

Question: When cleaning air ventilation ducts, do I run merely the fan or the fan on absurd? Should the thermostat be in absurd or heat mode?

Respond: Yous go out everything you would as normal but switch the fan to "on". The rest of the system will still operate equally information technology normally would, but the fan will continue to run between cycles.

Question: Are registers and vents the same thing?

Respond: The terminology gets confusing, simply yes. There are return air registers/vents that draw air dorsum to the fan and should not have a fashion to close and supply air vent bring conditioned air back to the rooms and usually can exist shut via a damper of some sort. Whether in the floor, on the wall, or in the ceiling they are all registers/vents.

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

Answer: I believe that'due south mentioned in this article. I would recommend information technology, yep.

© 2022 Dan Reed

Horatio.Jocelyn on May 31, 2022:

2781 S Eller Ln

Larry Orchard on October 22, 2022:

nosotros live in a 1990 Manufactured home with a forced air gas furnace but never had Ac only estrus . 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 ago but this is moldy smell what can I do

simon on Baronial 23, 2022:

Hullo,

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

nancy on June 24, 2022:

one bedroom upstairs does non get cool enough with central air on

Thomas Wall on March 24, 2022:

I am good with running my Youtube Aqueduct.... but I know zip about my furnace -please aid :)

We alive in an one-time home with a large furnace that was converted from coal, to oil, and than to gas. There is a pilot light 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 supercede the furnace filters, but for whatever reason they never seem to do much (( IE they are never dirty )).

Thanks for whatsoever help y'all can requite me, I am just really not a natural when it comes to furnace upkeep.

Dan Reed (author) on July 26, 2022:

Clifford - If there is one at that place now then they tin can likely put a new one in that location once again all the same a unit of measurement on the ground can be ran to a unit in an cranium. There may be some pipe modifications that would demand washed but it should be possible in most cases.

Clifford ThomasIII on July 25, 2022:

I have a older 1988 large fundamental air workout unit of measurement on the roof! Tin the new systems be hooked up to our duckting in our attic? Or how would they hook upwards the unit from a basis mounted central air-conditioning and heating unit! Thanks

Dan Reed (author) on July 24, 2022:

Thank you. I'yard glad it helped.

Dan Reed (writer) on July 23, 2022:

Ann McNally - If y'all have underground ducting and information technology is filling with dirt and water you lot will have to expect into some type of lining or coating or sleeving of the ductwork. There is a video in this link that shows 1 particular fashion of sealing underground duct. https://dengarden.com/appliances/The-two-Easiest-Fashion...

Ann McNally ann_ mcnally@yahoo.com on July 22, 2022:

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

Dan Reed (author) on June 01, 2022:

There isn't any specific equipment that I can recommend for cleaning your ain ducts. In that location isn't annihilation I'm aware of for such and is why I just recommend you shake em effectually a bit to loosen upwards any grit in there and allow the air move it downwardly the line for you. Mayhap a professional company would have something special for those simply I wouldn't exist sure what that is. If you practice take an idea then just keep in mind that yous don't desire to utilize anything that might puncture or tear the inner liner.

Sal on May 31, 2022:

What equipment practice you use for flex duct piece of work?

charles on May 16, 2022:

very helpfull thank you

Dan Reed (author) on May 07, 2022:

Patrick - No. I do not. Nor Aeroseal for that affair. I simply know they utilize the blazon of technology that is best for your blazon of situation so if you lot've found another company using this type of tech then I would have to say it's a coin toss as I have no background on either as a company, only the tech.

Patrick on May 07, 2022:

Thanks for the assist, Dan!

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

Dan Reed (author) on May 07, 2022:

Patrick - Get-go, I personally wouldn't pay if the ducts aren't make clean. That's what they charged for and that'due south what they should evangelize. If they didn't cheque with a camera to see if there was some reason they couldn't clean the ducts proper so that's their mistake for not being diligent on the quote and they know clandestine ducts can present these kind of issues. Secondly, I would look into Aeroseal. Here is a link to another article that tin assistance you understand that. It'south not cheap but would likely be cheaper than your alternatives. It's at least worth looking into. https://dengarden.com/appliances/The-2-Easiest-Mode...

Patrick on May 06, 2022:

Thanks for your commodity.

We recently purchased a house and it turns out the heating ducts are fabricated of Transite. The house is one story and all ducts are in the slab. We've had the air tested for asbestos, and there is none, but the ducts do indeed incorporate asbestos.

I take two questions.

We had a company clean the ducts. They desire to charge $700 (haven't paid even so because chore is not complete). They've supposedly cleaned the ducts twice now, just there is a large amount of rodent poop, droppings, sand, etc. still in them. It seems like this company either doesn't know how to clean ducts or isn't capable of doing so. They apparently didn't cover the heat registers while they were cleaning because the entire house is at present covered in dust. Extremely frustrating considering we only had the floors cleaned and cleaned all of the shelving.

Question i: How would you proceed with this?

I've read online the best thing to do with in-slab ducts is to fill them with physical, cap them off, and figure out another way to supply oestrus to the house.

Question two: What are options hither? I've researched oestrus pumps a flake, only really don't want to install them as they would destroy the exterior aesthetic of the house. But I'm thinking they might be the only pick since it is a single story house on a slab. There is an attic that is accessible.

Dan Reed (author) on May 02, 2022:

Elaine - I concur but there really isn't much that can become incorrect hither. We're just cleaning and for those who can't afford a professional person, this is alternative that still helps their situation quite a fleck for no price.

Elaine T. Keller on May 02, 2022:

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

ammywilliamsja on January 20, 2022:

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

Dan Reed (author) on Jan 19, 2022:

Unfortunately, I'm in the same boat and all you tin really exercise is keep cleaning. A duct cleaning can't hurt and I as well run the fan on my furnace around 340 days a year which keeps air moving through my filter thus catching more of the dust and hair (and of course meaning I change my filter a bit more oft than almost) but that is about all you lot can do. A duct cleaning won't really do much for the ongoing shedding and grit our kids create.

Mrs. Ryan on January 18, 2022:

My hardwood floors are always muddy. Would air duct cleaning help all that much. I have 3 cats and 1 small dog and family always is in and out a lot. No one leaves shoes at door. When I expect at my floors at night with a flashlight dirt is everywhere. So I guess our family home is full of dirt all the time because of these habits. I vacuum but it is always muddied. What do you think is all-time solution?

Janice on January 13, 2022:

After months of respiratory infections and then having my lung partially plummet my landlord finally agreed to clean my air ducts only had the apartment complex carpet cleaning guy come do information technology. He was shocked and horrified. I was breathing in squirrel feces and tons of it for months aslope a ton of mold and meldew. The air intake is located in a closet outside my apartment on the balustrade and the door to the closet had a big enough space underneath for squirrels to clamber in. He had to sweep all the poop and straw nest they made in at that place. It filled a quarter of a garbage bag. I have Lupus and it was not until I threatened to sue afterwards getting out of the hospital 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 information technology and I finally put two and two together and figured out it was the the ducts. Wish I would have institute this info sooner. Thank you lot for taking the time to write this and share.

Janice on January 13, 2022:

Wow.

Dan Reed (writer) on November 21, 2022:

Sometimes there are ducts in the attic and yes, sometimes there are registers in the wall. It all depends on the manner of system you have.

BLT on November 20, 2022:

Are in that location air ducts in the attic? What most registers in the wall?

Dan Reed (author) on November 13, 2022:

Barbara - Dust settles more in the ducts since there is less air movement so the biggest matter you lot may notice is smell. Less dust is always skilful in my opinion.

Barbara Cooley on November 13, 2022:

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

Dan Reed (author) on August 25, 2022:

Pastor B - First, thank you for the kind words! The respond to the commencement 2 questions in a nutshell is aye. Running the fan however by itself is probably the meliorate idea to dry the system a chip. That said, it isn't a solution, just helps a scrap. I would attempt to notice the root of the problem and take care of that to end the issue. Calculation things like air cleaner and UV light to the system tin help long term with some of this but having the a/c coil cleaned and checked (the indoor evaporator whorl) is a good start if you've not had that done before. If the smell is coming from the crawlspace and getting pulled into the air stream is the issue and then sealing the ductwork with a mastic may also be a skilful measure and is something you tin do yourself with a bucket of mastic, a paint brush, pair of safe gloves and long sleeves....y'all don't desire to go it tangled up in your arm hair and such. Information technology can exist a difficult task to get out. :-) I hope this helps and thanks for reading!

Pastor B. on August 24, 2022:

First of all your website is dandy and very informative! Thanks for a willingness to help!!!

My question is a three-parter, which results from every bit soon as I plow on the AC, "IMMEDIATELY" there is the smell of damp air:

one) Tin crawlspace air dampness become inside the heat exchange causing dampness in my duct work ?

2) Can an extremely muddied evaporator coil cause dampness and moisture in the duct piece of work or do I only demand to clean the evaporator gyre and the render duct also?

iii) If I turn on the rut, volition it dry out the moisture that's in the duct piece of work?

I await and look forrard to your recommendations, and once again thanks. May God bless yous for helping people with your gift in this profession!

Dan Reed (author) on August 10, 2022:

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

Christy on Baronial 09, 2022:

Give thanks y'all so much for all this information! I do not await upwardly how to do things ordinarily, because my Dad taught me pretty well how to exercise things myself! Simply I wanted to make sure I did THIS correctly!

Dan Reed (author) on August 03, 2022:

Branden five - Bright! Thanks for reading and the kind words.

Branden v on July 29, 2022:

Helpful information. Cheers. I wanted to add, I cut a expert length from an quondam garden hose,inserted inside my vacuum hose and duct taped it. It extended the reach farther in a tight space. Pulled out a gruesome amount of dog hair. Thanks over again.

Dan Reed (author) on July 18, 2022:

Kristal - I'chiliad sad but there are so many duct systems it would be hard for me to assistance without more than info. If your ducts are cased in drywall it would be very hard to access without special equipment.

Dan Reed (writer) on July xiii, 2022:

Briana - Thank y'all for the feedback. I dearest to hear dorsum from you guys/gals. Look into using pleated filters and perhaps fifty-fifty having a UV light installed in the duct if yous believe that is the source.

Briana on July eleven, 2022:

I have 4 kids and they take been constantly been getting ill. I had a lightbulb moment and thought maybe the air is causing this. We live in the desert and experience a lot of dust. I came across your folio and cleaned them myself. Only want to say cheers!!!! I'm sure this will help my family so much!

Deb on June 23, 2022:

Thanks. I take a gas furnace. If I do it myself, exercise I need to extinguish the pilot light? Will it go off by itself when I turn the power off to the furnace? Will I need to accept it re-lit once I plough the power back on?

Dan Reed (author) on June eighteen, 2022:

Deb - I've never been asked virtually tear gassing nor do I have any experience with it. I would think not. I don't know that a standard professional duct cleaning would do it either. Peradventure telephone call a disaster restoration visitor and run into what they recommend. They handle drug lab clean ups and things of that nature so they could probably offer improve advice. Thanks for reading.

Deb on June 17, 2022:

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

Dan Reed (author) on June 06, 2022:

Well the idea is to create fifty-fifty airflow but tranquility honestly, it'due south not often achieved. Not even in my domicile. You can have a company come and residue the arrangement but they may find information technology has something to do with the design or have to add a booster fan or some sort of control system to make it fully balanced. It is something that could cost $100 or $1000. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Donna on June 04, 2022:

My floor register in my room doesn't let much air flow. I've tried reaching down as far as I could with my long artillery simply tin can merely get so much. My agreement is all ducks/floor registers are connected for even air flow in our basement. Everyone else's gets a lot of cold air bravado in theres. How tin can I get my registers air flow to work better

Dan Reed (author) on May 22, 2022:

Jill - Not all HVAC companies clean duct. There are actually businesses who specifically do just that. I'm not sure who you spoke to but that is something to consider. There are as well sure duct systems that perhaps only a few companies would be equipped to handle.

Jill on May 22, 2022:

Hi, I was just told that they can't clean my ductwork...does this audio right? What could it possibly be made of that a visitor can't clean my ducts?

Dan Reed (author) on May 19, 2022:

My kickoff idea is that you have cloak-and-dagger duct piece of work. If and so, in that location are various ways to address that but I'm not real familiar with them. If you don't then I'm still non certain what that could be. If yous're in heating season, some furnaces will smell bad because the estrus exchanger is bad and if and so, yous need to consider a new system if you're not under warranty. Note: Many heat exchangers have rather long warranties. 20 years...perhaps lifetime.

Carole mcaleer on May 19, 2022:

I have a sewage gas smell coming from air ducts. What would y'all suggest?

Dan Reed (author) on May 17, 2022:

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

Ivana Alfieri on May 16, 2022:

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

Dan Reed (author) on March 08, 2022:

Colleen - I assume yous have surreptitious ducting and so and y'all would demand to have them cleared and sealed which will likely crave a fair amount of money and a professional. If they aren't undercover and you're experiencing this and then information technology sounds like your ducts are in demand of insulating because they are in an unconditioned space and the inner and outer temps are creating condensation. Thanks for reading.

Colleen Vincelli on March 07, 2022:

what happens when you lot accept a lot of water in your air ducts..nosotros only accept central air, not heating ?

Dan Reed (author) on January 16, 2022:

Give thanks y'all Greenmind!

GreenMind Guides from Us on January 15, 2022:

Hey great hub with lots of practiced info and advice. I like the fashion you write and you clearly know what you're talking most.

violet shrop on January 09, 2022:

Thank you so much Daniel-

Dan Reed (author) on January 06, 2022:

Violet Shrop - Give thanks you and no. You lot don't want the power off while cleaning registers...you want the fan running. At present once you get to the furnace itself, at the end and y'all're ready to change the filter and wrap upwards...aye. Turn off the power.

Thanks for reading.

VioletShrop on January 06, 2022:

This is actually well written & helpful. Just to make sure: and so to clean your return register, y'all don't need to shut the ability off? I wouldn't recall so either, mine looks like yours, only a space under the hvac cabinet, no electric element seen. Thank you.

Dan Reed (author) on Jan 03, 2022:

Tyler - Yes. If the breaker to the furnace is off, you should be safe under normal circumstances. A elementary voltage detector is always dainty to have though to be sure. Y'all just touch it to anything and if there is voltage, it will blink and/or beep. Only costs like $twenty and is useful for many things. Cheers for reading.

Tyler on January 02, 2022:

If I switch off the breaker, then I can impact everything on the unit at the intake right? Thanks Daniel this is awesome.

Dan Reed (writer) on Dec 29, 2022:

DCME - Zero really happens. You lot just won't be able to make clean that expanse without getting upwards there. If you get as much as you can, you lot're however doing something.

DCME on December 12, 2022:

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

Dan Reed (author) on November 24, 2022:

Christine - I call up you lot're misunderstanding. I'm recommending you cover the supply registers, not the return and only temporarily, not forever. It would take a lot more than than a paper towel over the supply registers for a few minutes to burn up a motor. Especially on the supply side. If information technology were return air, I'd say you're right just even then, it would take a lot more than a paper towel and few minutes to cause any sort of damage to the motor.

christine on Nov nineteen, 2022:

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

D. Agglomeration on October 23, 2022:

We bought an older mobile home over a year ago. I bought a wet dry vac and it didn't have plenty suction power to vacuum the floor duct. The return air is disconnected. I run window a.c. units and have only flooring estrus. There are blockages in the duct. So, is a store vac better than moisture/dry vac? I need rut desperately before winter arrives.

Dan Reed (author) on October 13, 2022:

Bill - The metallic shouldn't hold the scent and you probably won't exist able to clean it all unless you disconnect information technology so for the time and effort, I'd replace the damaged duct and registers rather than try and make clean them.

Beak on October 08, 2022:

How-do-you-do, just bought a house where previous possessor allowed dogs to urinate all over air vents. Some urine must have leaked downwardly air ducts. What is best way to clean air ducts?

Dan Reed (author) on October 08, 2022:

Mila - Not all ducts can conceivably be reached and vertical ducts in the wall are not usually the main culprit in holding dust. This article is near doing a pretty darn skillful task on your ain but not necessarily to get to every nook and cranny. Thank you for reading!

Mila on Oct 06, 2022:

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

Kim Spraggins on September 27, 2022:

Afterward trying to find as good bargain on air duct cleaning I thought nigh researching how to do information technology ourselves and I'm so glad I did! This rehab house has been sitting for 9 yrs and merely God knows what'due south been lurking and swirling around for the 2+yrs since we installed the furnace. At present with ii cats everything gets covered in dust specially in the summer with no central air, only loftier-powered floor fans. I bake cakes and take to turn them all off to go along the grit, lint, true cat pilus etc from landing in them! Eeek...and when the dominicus shines through the window the dust becomes even more visible! Dust, dust, dust...I can't take information technology any more and will be and so happy when nosotros're done with this DIY project! Update to follow! Cheers and then much!!!! Mmmwah

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on May 02, 2022:

Daniel, these were peachy tips on how to clean the air vents yourself with elementary and easy steps. Voted up for useful!

MarkE on April 10, 2022:

I would like to add that a lot of the dust is from your home and mostly institute in your render vents and return ducting because as it pulls the air into the ducting from your house, along with the dust and moisture, some of it will gravitate towards the bottom of the ducting due to

i) 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 further than the filter. However in that location will be some albeit a lot less in any event.

Banging on the outside of your vents may release some dust but opening up the vents at their ends if possible will allow you lot to vacuum a heck of a lot more grit.

I am replacing as many joist liners as possible, because it is relatively cheap and gets rid of any rust, mold, leaner, and of course grit that you lot may or may not see.

Good luck in your ventures, may the wind ever be at your back!

Dan Reed (author) on July 25, 2022:

Well, if it'southward simply a slice, I'd throw information technology away. Information technology's probable a scrap piece that's been in in that location longer than you may accept realized and in your cleaning, worked it's mode to visibility. Unfortunately, much debris constitute in duct is from construction and people using the duct every bit a dustpan. If you don't see whatsoever parts missing or holes in the ducting, so just toss it and know that they're that much cleaner.

Nina on July 24, 2022:

Prior to reading your commodity, I cleaned my ductwork with a store vac and it worked really well. The next twenty-four hour period I constitute a piece of ductwork in one of the floor registers. Not certain what to do nigh information technology. Whatsoever help is much appreciated.

Dan Reed (author) on July 09, 2022:

Jeremy - I allow all comments. Peculiarly ones like this considering it gives me the opportunity to educate people. First off, if you lot really read the article, I clearly land this is a pretty good way to become if you don't accept the money for professionals. I'm guessing you're a duct cleaner and don't want me showing people a nice culling that will save them money and improve their air quality far more than doing nothing. My manufactures are not aimed to assist or injure anyone'southward business...only to help people who tin can't afford such services to practise the best they can to assist themselves enjoy these luxuries when it's within their ability to do and so. I stand past every word in this commodity. With over 20 years in HVAC from loading trucks to currently running large commercial projects and everything in between, I think the professionals are already on it. Thanks for reading...or kind of anyway.

Jeremy on July 09, 2022:

lol!! Yous think this compares to a existent cleaning in any fashion? Not even close. Some jobs should be left to the professionals.

Dan Reed (author) on November 19, 2022:

Aye. Information technology is expensive. Glad I could help.

Candice on November xix, 2022:

I was just quoted betwixt $300 and $600 to make clean my ducts. I refuse to pay that. So I'll exist doing this myself and I greatly appreciate this how to.

Dan Reed (author) on July 01, 2022:

Cheers bleedercleaners. Yep and the adept news is, in a new home, if you clean the ducts really well right after the dwelling house is built, you will cut down on much of the dust forever. Unfortunately, in a new home, the drywall and sawdust oftentimes gets into and is swept into the rut vents. Get it now and it can help a lot.

bleedercleaners on June 30, 2022:

STARTING TO SEE A Lilliputian DUST COLLECTING ON THE REGISTERS. ALTHOUGH IT IS A NEW HOUSE We HAVE A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION. Guess THAT HAS MUCH TO Practice WITH Information technology. ANYWAY, Thank you! You GOT MY VOTE

christianajohan on April 27, 2022:

I agree with you lot that to have a healthy life, allow us offset have a salubrious environment.

Hady Chahine from Manhattan Beach on April 27, 2022:

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

Subhas from New Delhi, Republic of india on Apr 26, 2022:

This is of corking help and surely going to aid me save some bucks by cleaning it myself.

Eric Calderwood from U.s.a. on April 26, 2022:

This hub comes just in fourth dimension for me. I was about to seal up all the duct-work in my basement. Y'all have convinced me that I should accept advantage of this time to exercise some cleaning first. Cheers for a great hub!

JP Carlos from Quezon City, Phlippines on April 26, 2022:

This is a nice pace by step guide on cleaning ventilation ducts. No wonder it's the hub of the day. Congratulations.

summerberrie on April 26, 2022:

Cracking data about cleaning air ducks, Cre8tor! Voted upwardly and useful.

Kitty Fields from Summerland on April 26, 2022:

Most people have no idea how much dirt & dust gets trapped within of their ducts. Information technology'southward truly scary what other things accept been found in ductwork besides (dead animals, Coin, etc.) I have worked for the country'southward largest duct cleaning franchise visitor for the past 6 years, and so I hear a lot of nasty stories. Thanks for sharing. Crawly hub!

Sinea Pies from Northeastern Usa on April 26, 2022:

With 2 dogs and lots of dirt exterior, you tin can only imagine the build up in those air ducts over the years. Nosotros actually are putting in a new furnace so we are hiring a pro to practise it...simply now I know what to watch for. Great tutorial and congrats on beingness Hub of the Day! Wow! Voted very UP and useful.

Patricia Scott from Northward Central Florida on April 26, 2022:

This is very helpful...I appreciate the footstep by footstep information as well as the pictures. I will laissez passer this along to my son-in-law as I think this is something he will use presently. As a thing of fact, he will probably employ it at my house!!! Slap-up chore...congrats on the hub of the day as well....

Peggy Forest from Houston, Texas on Apr 26, 2022:

Most of our air ducts are up in the ceiling except for the return air ducts. At to the lowest degree nosotros tin can utilize your suggestions to clean those. Never even thought nearly it except for changing out the filters. Congratulations on your HOFD award.

Urmila from Rancho Cucamonga,CA, USA on April 26, 2022:

I am making my married man to read this hub then that he can clean air ducts in our house. Useful and voted up.

Congrats on HOTD!

Kristin Trapp from Illinois on April 26, 2022:

I just had my air ducts cleaned professionally a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't believe the gunk that was on the former filter after the chore was done. Since and then the corporeality of dust circulating around my home is drastically reduced. Information technology never occurred to me to attempt this job on my own. Keen hub.

Milli from USA on Apr 26, 2022:

Swell step by stride didactics to clean ducts. Thanks for sharing it. Voted up and congratulations on Hub of the day!

Mary Hyatt from Florida on April 26, 2022:

Congrats on Hub of the Solar day. This is very informative. I'm not certain I could exercise this my cocky but mayhap my son in police could do it for me. I voted this Upwards, etc.etc.

Rose Clearfield from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 26, 2022:

Great tips and data! This is not something that I do regularly, but I really should. Congrats on getting Hub of the Twenty-four hours!

dbuddhika on April 26, 2022:

Congratulations HOD. Fantabulous and Very useful.

christianajohan on April 26, 2022:

Hi Cre8tor,

Congratulations for being a neat author in Hubpages. How lucky yous are to have called every bit hub of the twenty-four hours in your informative hub!

All is well especially if we can practice house job. If non, I suggest you hire someone and this hub of yours is a swell guide to instruct those who will make clean it.

I am looking forrard for your hubs.

I myself is eager to exist chosen someday for this hub of the day advantage.

kthix10 from IL on April 26, 2022:

Great Hub! Congrats on Hub of the day! We had ours professionally done a year ago when we bought the house, but this volition help us maintain a cleaner healthier air quality in the business firm.

Cynthia B Turner from Georgia on April 26, 2022:

What great information this is! Information technology doesn't look too complicated at all. It fits right in with bound cleaning. Thanks for compiling and sharing it here.

Clive Donegal from En Route on April 26, 2022:

That was very helpful. Thank you,

Michael J Rapp from United States on April 26, 2022:

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

kelleyward on April 26, 2022:

Cheers for sharing this data. This was well written making information technology easy to empathise! Congrats on HOTD!

Natasha from Hawaii on April 26, 2022:

Awesome - thank you so much. You're right - I don't have a loftier-powered vacuum with a super long string, and then 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

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