As Summer Temps Heat Up, Air Duct Cleaning Can Help Lower Energy Bills
Fireflies, popsicles, pool days, and backyard cookouts. Who doesn’t love the arrival of summer? But while the change of season ushers in vacations, outdoor fun, and leisure time, it also brings hot, humid temperatures that push air conditioners into overdrive.
Almost everyone appreciates a nice cool, comfortable home when it’s hot outside, and we rely on a thermostat to keep our home’s temperature just the way we like it. But as hot weather sets in and air conditioners start kicking into high gear, there’s an unfortunate price to pay (literally) for keeping inside temperatures refreshing.
One of the biggest sources of energy consumption in your home is the HVAC system, and cooling a home can be really expensive – especially in hot, humid climates. But there are ways to lower monthly utility bills. While adjusting the thermostat might save a little bit of money, proper HVAC system maintenance goes a lot further. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, families can cut their energy bill by as much as 20% to 30% simply by doing proper equipment maintenance.
Think of it this way. Your heating and cooling system is kinda like the lungs of your home. It circulates temperature-controlled air through a series of air duct pathways throughout the home. And, just like all the surfaces in your home get dirty and dusty over time, the same can be said for your air ducts and other HVAC system components. In other words, with everyday life, all sorts of contaminants and pollutants like bacteria, pet dander, dust, skin cells, mold, tobacco smoke, and chemicals are generated in your home; and when all those contaminants are pulled into your home’s HVAC system, they travel through a system of air ducts, recirculating through your home an average of five to seven times per day. Like that’s not scary enough, over time, all that recirculation can cause a major build-up of contaminants in the entire system.
Believe it or not, those dirty HVAC systems – especially dirty coils – use up to 30% more energy! That’s because contaminants in your home’s HVAC system cause it to work a lot harder to cool your home. And all that hard work for your air conditioner not only results in higher energy bills — it can ultimately shorten the life of your system too. The harder your system works to circulate air throughout your home, the more likely it will break down from overuse.
But when an HVAC system is clean, it’s more efficient and doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the temperature you desire, so less energy is used — which can lead to lower electric bills! Plus, maintaining your HVAC system helps avoid expensive repairs and replacements in the future, and clean, efficient HVAC systems have a longer lifespan.
It’s really that simple!
No matter what climate you live in, your home always needs a little TLC as the seasons change. Replacing filters regularly can go a long way toward maintaining a clean system. However, filters can’t catch everything. Taking the extra step of having your home’s air ducts properly cleaned not only helps you breathe cleaner, healthier air – it can help your HVAC system have a longer lifespan and run more efficiently, ultimately saving major money on energy bills!
As we brace for rising temperatures and summer storms, it’s a great time to get your air ducts cleaned! But keep in mind that while we might all enjoy a good DIY project, cleaning your air ducts isn’t something you should ever attempt on your own. It’s a complex process that requires advanced knowledge of HVAC systems, as well as specialized tools. It’s best to leave it to the pros!
When you’re ready to tackle those air ducts, NADCA makes it really simple for homeowners to choose a qualified contractor to ensure the job is done right. All it takes is a zip code to search our online directory to find a NADCA member in your area. NADCA members are the best-of-the-best, follow the highest standards, and have technicians on staff with advanced training and certification in HVAC system cleaning.
Click Here to Find a Certified Air Duct Cleaning Professional Near You