January 21, 2021

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, studies find that the air inside Phoenix homes has up to five times more airborne particulates than outdoor air. This is due to measures that are taken to make your home energy-efficient, as well as how your HVAC system works to maintain indoor temperatures. Energy-efficient homes are sealed to keep heated and cooled air indoors and prevent outdoor air from coming inside. Heating and cooling systems work by recirculating air throughout your home to maintain even temperatures. Airborne particles, such as bacteria, mold, dust, pet dander, and viruses, get trapped inside your Phoenix home and circulate in every room. Cleaning the ducts of your heating and cooling system reduces the number of indoor particles.

Benefits of Cleaning Your Ducts

At Velox Air, Inc., we recommend that homeowners in the Phoenix area have their ductwork professionally cleaned as part of routine maintenance. Dust, pet dander, bacteria, mold spores, viruses, and other particles from the air inside your home collect on the walls of the ducts. Cleaning the inside of your ducts removes the accumulated particles to keep the air in your home clean.
Clean ducts also help your HVAC system run more efficiently. Any build-up on the walls of the ductwork causes friction and disrupts airflow. Your system may run longer to heat and cool your home. This translates into higher energy costs and unnecessary wear and tear on your HVAC equipment.

Ductwork and Indoor Air Quality

All the heated and cooled air that is distributed throughout your home passes through a series of metal ducts. The ducts have bends and angles that provide ideal places for airborne particles to accumulate. Any particles inside the ducts are picked up by the airflow and delivered through the vents in each room. Dirty ducts have been linked to poor indoor air quality and the associated health issues, such as asthma, sinus problems, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and much more.

How Are Ducts Cleaned?

Having a professional technician from Velox Air, Inc. clean your ductwork is an affordable, easy process. We use special equipment to reach the interior of the ducts through the vents, and we clean around the outdoor equipment. We take precautions to protect your belongings and family during the appointment. Your system does not need to be dismantled, and you can run the system right after the service. Once your ducts are cleaned, you will notice that your home feels fresher and cleaner.

Standard Duct Cleaning Recommendations

For most Phoenix homes, we recommend duct cleaning every three to five years. The service can be performed at the same time as your fall and spring HVAC routine maintenance that prepares your equipment for the changes in outdoor temperatures. During the maintenance, we inspect your ducts to look for signs of problems, such as gaps and tears in the metal, that may allow dirt and other particles into your home. These issues should be repaired with duct sealing to maximize the benefits of duct cleaning. There are some factors that may indicate ductwork should be cleaned more often.

1. Climate and Weather Patterns

As the Phoenix area continues to see changes in weather patterns, such as large dust storms, droughts, and heavy rainfall, the ductwork should be cleaned more often. Weather patterns increase the volume of airborne particles in outdoor air that can come into your Phoenix home. We recommend that you schedule an additional duct cleaning service when these types of weather conditions occur.

2. Allergies

If you have allergies, your symptoms may be linked to poor air quality inside your home. Pollen and dust trigger watery eyes, sinus congestion, sneezing, coughing, and sinus infections. For Phoenix households with allergy sufferers, we recommend that ducts be cleaned one time each year. The best time is in the spring when allergen counts are highest.

3. Dust Accumulation

Does it seem like you are constantly fighting a losing battle against dust on your furniture and in your carpets? This is a sign that your ductwork needs to be cleaned. Depending on the amount of dust that accumulates, you may want to schedule duct cleaning by the experts at Velox Air, Inc. every 12 to 24 months.

4. Chronic Medical Conditions

Airborne particles are especially troublesome for Phoenix residents who have certain chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, heart problems, and lung diseases. If someone in your home has a respiratory issue, we recommend having your ducts cleaned every year as part of the routine maintenance in the spring or fall.

5. Vulnerable Household Members

The elderly and young children are vulnerable to breathing problems caused by poor air quality, whether it is outdoors or inside your home. Childhood asthma has been linked to poor indoor air quality. If you have an elderly household member or young children in your home, having your ductwork cleaned every one to two years can reduce the risk of developing breathing complications.

6. Health Precautions

COVID-19 has brought to light the importance of keeping our homes clean and free of viruses and bacteria. Duct cleaning from Velox Air, Inc. reduces the number of viruses and bacteria that is floating around your home and building up on porous and non-porous surfaces. If you want to better manage the risk of viruses and bacteria in your home, have your ducts cleaned every year.

7. Mold Growth

The dry climate of Phoenix may not seem conducive to mold growth inside your home, but these organisms are adept at finding places to hide and develop colonies. Cleaning your ductwork removes mold colonies found inside the metal tunnels through which heated and cooled air passes. Cleaning mold colonies from the ducts reduces the number of spores that are distributed throughout your home. There are several types of household mold, and all of them are known to cause health issues ranging from mild to life-threatening. Some types of mold cause lung and heart damage, asthma, allergies, and more.

8. Older Homes and HVAC Equipment

Homes with older HVAC equipment may need duct cleaning more often. Based on the condition and model of your heating and cooling system, we may recommend duct cleaning every one to two years. If your ducts are in disrepair, we can help with our duct replacement services. Not only does this help with indoor air quality, but you may also save money on your utility bills. Ductwork that has holes, gaps, and tears allow heated and cooled air to escape, and your HVAC system runs longer to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.

Learn More About Professional Duct Cleaning

Since 2017, Velox Air, Inc. has provided comprehensive HVAC services to residents in Phoenix and surrounding areas. If you would like to learn more about duct cleaning and its many benefits, call us to speak with one of our experts. We can also help with the installation, repair, and maintenance of your heating and cooling system. If you are ready to update your HVAC equipment, we carry Lennox air conditioners, heat pumps, thermostats, furnaces, and packaged systems.

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