Looking for Ways to Lower Your Heating Bill this Winter? Try Air Duct Cleaning!

Pandemic-related inflation is an unfortunate reality, and heating costs are expected to rise dramatically this winter. According to a recent article in the New York Times, consumers already dealing with the fastest price increases in decades will soon experience another unwelcome uptick: a widely expected increase in winter heating bills.

Energy prices plunged early in the pandemic as the global economy slowed, and last winter was warmer than average, which led to residential energy bills that were comparatively low. But this winter, as inflation has risen, so have energy prices. Natural gas used to heat almost half of U.S. households has almost doubled in price since this time last year, and the price of crude oil, which deeply affects the 10 percent of households that rely on heating oil and propane during the winter, has soared by similarly eye-popping levels. And those costs are being passed through to homeowners who have become accustomed to cheaper energy prices in recent years. 

As homeowners, we rely on a thermostat to keep our home’s temperature just the way we like it, and while adjusting the thermostat might save some money, almost everyone appreciates a warm, toasty home when it’s cold outside. In fact, there’s almost nothing more enjoyable than peering through a window at a snow-covered lawn from the comfort of a warm kitchen or living room. But as colder weather sets in and furnaces start to kick on, there’s an unfortunate price to pay (literally) for keeping inside temperatures cozy — and this winter, all signs say we’re in for some serious cost increases. 

One of the biggest sources of energy consumption in your home is the HVAC system, and heating a home can be expensive – especially in colder climates. But there are ways to lower those monthly utility bills. 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, and air duct cleaning is one of those maintenance tasks that can help save money on energy bills!

Your heating and cooling system is the lungs of your home, circulating air through a series of air duct pathways throughout the home. Believe it or not, as your family goes through the seasons, all of those everyday activities you do both inside and outside of your home can contaminate the indoor air with unseen pollutants like dust, dander, pollen, mold, chemicals, and more. Over time, as that air recirculates over and over, contaminants continuously build up in the ductwork and other system components. Dirty HVAC systems – especially dirty coils – use up to 30% more energy to heat or cool the home! Even dirty air filters block airflow through the system, making it harder for your HVAC system to heat or cool your home to the desired temperature.

All that hard work for your HVAC system results in higher energy bills.

A clean HVAC system is more efficient and doesn’t use as much energy to maintain a comfortable temperature, ultimately saving you money on monthly utility costs. Replacing filters and servicing your furnace and air conditioning unit regularly can go a long way toward maintaining clean air ducts. However, filters can’t catch everything. Taking the extra step of having your home’s air ducts properly cleaned helps your HVAC system run more efficiently by removing debris from sensitive mechanical components. Plus, clean systems typically have a longer lifespan and operate more effectively than dirty systems, also leading to lower utility bills.
 

All About Air Duct Cleaning

The most effective method of cleaning a HVAC system is through source removal — the process of removing built-up dirt and debris. This requires a professional contractor to place the system under negative pressure using a specialized, powerful vacuum. While the vacuum draws air through the system, brushes, air whips, and compressed air nozzles are inserted into the air ducts to remove any debris that might be stuck to interior surfaces. The debris can then travel through the air ducts and into the vacuum, which removes it from the system and the home. The result? Cleaner, fresher indoor air and a more efficient HVAC system, which leads to reduced energy costs.

Plus, maintaining your HVAC system doesn’t just help you cut back on your energy costs. It also helps avoid expensive repairs and replacements in the future. The harder your system works to circulate air throughout your home, the more likely it will break down from overuse.

While we all love 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! Make sure you choose a qualified contractor to ensure the job is done right – and be wary of deals that appear too good to be true.

When you’re ready to tackle those air ducts, NADCA makes it really simple for homeowners to find an air duct cleaning professional. All it takes is a zip code to search our online directory to find a NADCA member in your area. NADCA members have technicians on staff with advanced training and certification in HVAC system cleaning. 

Click Here to Find an Air Duct Cleaning Professional Near You