What’s the Best Way to Sanitize Central Air Ducts?

Central air ducts don’t commonly require cleaning and sanitizing. They may have dirt accumulated inside, but there isn’t much of it. Moreover, most of that buildup will likely sit there instead of getting blown out of the room. However, there are certain circumstances wherein a central air duct cleaning would be necessary.

One example is when there are visible mold growths inside the ductwork. These must be removed immediately to prevent the spores from spreading and causing respiratory problems. Another reason for cleaning central air ducts is when they become infested with pests such as rodents or insects. Not only can these creatures cause damage to the ductwork, but they can also carry diseases that may pose a threat to human health.

In any case, it’s always best to consult a professional before cleaning your central air ducts. They will be able to assess the situation and recommend the best course of action.

For example, if you live in an area with high pollen or dust count, it would make sense to have your air ducts cleaned and sanitized regularly. The same goes if anyone in your household suffers from allergies or asthma. In these cases, the air ducts can act as a breeding ground for allergens and other irritants, so keeping them clean is important.

Another reason you might need to get your central air ducts cleaned is if there has been any water damage done to the system. Water can cause many problems for an air duct system, including mold and mildew growth. Suppose you suspect that there might be water damage in your air ducts. In that case, it’s best to have them professionally inspected and cleaned as soon as possible.

Even so, there are conditions that may require you to sanitize central air ducts, such as:

1. If there is a sign of mold growth
2. If strange noises are coming from inside the ducts
3. If your AC performance is decreasing due to blocked airflow in the air ducts.

Cleaning air ducts is not easy, especially if there is mold growth or pests inside. Doing it wrong may lead to duct damage; some tools are also required to do it right.

Here are some things you need to get started:

• A pair of goggles
• A dust mask
• Waterproof gloves
• A screwdriver. Make sure it is the correct type based on the screws in your air duct registers.
• Paper towels or microfiber cloths. Avoid ones with large fibers because they might not be able to block dust effectively.
• A brush with a stiff bristle and long handle
• A vacuum cleaner with a long and thin hose. A flexible one would be an even better choice.

Below are step-by-step guidelines on how to sanitize your central air ducts. Note that this procedure is only doable if there are no mold or pests in the ducts. Such cases require more complex treatment and advanced equipment. Again, only professionals can handle this effectively.

1. Open the air duct covers using a screwdriver and remove the grill plates at the return registers.
2. Lift the grill plates at the supply register, cover the holes with paper towels or cloths, and put the grills back in their places. Make sure it is perfectly sealed to prevent dirt from entering the air ducts.
3. Turn the fan on. Let the wind blow through your air ducts so it can loosen up the dirt in your ducts’ interior.
4. If possible, turn off the heating mode on your fan because it is not necessary. Leaving the heat on will only waste energy. However, some fans don’t run without heating. If that is the case, you can keep it running with the heat on.
5. Take your brush and start rubbing the air ducts to loosen up the clumps sticking to the interior walls. Perform the same cleaning procedure on both the supply and return registers.
6. Use a vacuum to suck up all the dust and debris. Try to go as deep as possible. Be careful not to damage the ducts.
7. Clean the register covers and grill plates.
8. Reattach them properly.
9. Replace your HVAC air filters with clean, new ones.

Reputable HVAC companies generally have more advanced appliances and tools to sanitize central air ducts. They also have much more skill and knowledge about their best way. Therefore, it is better to leave this task in their professional hands.

ECM Air Conditioning, with its headquarters located in Boynton Beach, FL, provides air conditioning services within Palm Beach County, Broward County, Martin County, and St. Lucie County. If you’re looking to have a new HVAC system installed, we’re on-call and ready to assist you. So if you’re in need of an HVAC installation, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule an inspection! Our HVAC installation experts will check your ductwork, measure, check wire sizes, and more before making recommendations to ensure maximum efficiency and comfort. Call us at 561-295-1763 or contact our HVAC installation team online by clicking here.