Indoor air quality is a growing concern in the U.S. But, does that mean you should have your home’s air ducts cleaned? Maybe, and maybe not. Changing your filters out regularly and keeping your home clean will handle most allergens, and unless ducts are really dirty, there’s no reason to clean them.

However, duct cleaning doesn’t hurt—it’s just not something that needs to be on your regular home maintenance list. When should you have your home’s air ducts cleaned? Here’s what Jett-Seal Inc. Air Duct Restoration recommends:

Renovation: If your home has been remodeled – especially if there was asbestos abatement, lead paint removal, or significant dust – your ductwork may need to be cleaned. Ducts should be sealed off during home renovations; but if they weren’t, dangerous dust and debris may become lodged inside the ductwork.

Animals: If there’s evidence of animal infestation or nesting in your ducts or HVAC system, have the animals removed then clean the ductwork and HVAC unit.

Mold: If there is visible mold growth inside the ductwork, the ducts and HVAC system should be cleaned.

Contaminants: If noticeable debris, pet hair, odors, or other contaminants are being released into the room through the ducts after the registers have been cleaned and vacuumed; then the ducts may need to be cleaned.

Illness: If someone in your family is suffering from an unexplained allergy-related illness, and you’ve taken every other possible step to decontaminate your home, you may want to consider having your ducts cleaned to see if the HVAC system is to blame.

It’s also important to make sure your home’s air duct system is leak free. Leaving these leaks unsealed means untreated air is pulled into your home, which not only wastes a lot of money on heating and cooling but means your air likely has additional pollutants. That’s where Jett-Seal comes in, with our professional air duct restoration. Our process involves a unique and patented Aeroseal technologies for duct diagnostics and sealing from the inside out. And, Jett-Seal Inc. can reduce your energy use by up to 30%. Contact the professionals at Jett-Seal Inc. today to learn more!

The yearly conundrum: Stay comfortable and warm during the colder months while saving money and energy. Jett-Seal understands more than most that winterizing your home is important. From utilizing daylight and curtains to finding leaks in your home’s heating and air duct system, let’s take a look at some tips and opportunities to ensure maximum savings through the winter:

Maximize your window’s efficiency
Naturally, the sun is a source of heat, so why not harness that energy? Open your blinds and curtains on south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home. At night, close them to keep the heat in your home. If you don’t have curtains or window treatments, shop at your local big box store for some inexpensive curtains to cover your windows. Covering up your drafty windows will help a lot year-round!

Make your thermostat work for you
If you’re at home going about your day, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable, and when you’re out for a while or at work, turn the temperature down +10°. You’ll find yourself saving roughly 10% on your yearly energy bill. Also, a smart or programmable thermostat can make adjusting your home’s heating and air a piece of a cake.

Find and Seal Leaks
More than 80% of all U.S. homes have significant leakage in their duct systems, with up to 40% of conditioned air being lost through perforations, seams, and gaps in ductwork. Not sealing these leaks is like leaving your front door open all year long. Every time your heating or cooling system runs, treated (heated or cooled) air leaks out of the ductwork, and untreated air is pulled into your home. Jett-Seal Inc. uses unique and patented Aeroseal technologies for duct diagnostics and sealing from the inside out. For ducts that are significantly deteriorated and need a more thorough restoration, Jett-Seal utilizes patented Duct Armor® duct lining technology. Jett-Seal Inc. can reduce your energy use by up to 30%.

With these simple tips, you can stay comfortable, save money on your HVAC bills, and be more energy efficient. To learn more about keeping your home energy efficient and stopping the leaks in your HVAC system, contact the professionals at Jett-Seal Inc. of Little Rock, AR!

Originally Published by Prism Energy Services – July, 2015

There are signs that let you know if you have an energy inefficient HVAC. Some of these are noticeable, and some require a bit of analysis. In many cases, a solution is a simple repair or filter replacement. In this article, we will share some things to look out for to determine if you have an energy inefficient HVAC.

#1. Your HVAC is 10 years or older

According to Energy.gov, HVAC systems have a lifespan of about 15-20 years. Yet, HVAC systems only run efficiently for about 10 years. Newer, more efficient HVAC systems can save between 20-40%. Not to mention, 10 years will put a lot of wear and tear on your system that could lead to very expensive maintenance or repair costs if they break down. If you have an HVAC system over ten-years-old, ask a professional for advice on the best route to take to avoid major problems down the road.

#2. Your System Needs New Air Filters

Filter replacements is one of the easiest and inexpensive solutions to keeping your HVAC efficient. If left unchecked, however, dirty air filters can cause energy inefficiency and potential health risks. Let’s discuss what kind of energy inefficiency and problems are caused due to dirty air filters.

Health Risks

Mold, dust, bacteria, gasses, and other particles can be transmitted through the air by a poorly maintained or dirty HVAC system, which can cause employees to have allergic reactions, have asthma, or experience other health issues. Mold, in particular, is always a main cause for concern. Mold will appear in all HVAC systems unless maintained properly, as it lives within environments with excess moisture, which means your HVAC’s ducts, coils, and drip pans.

Higher Operating Costs

According to the EPA, dirty air filters attribute to an extra 15% in electricity costs. Air filters allow for proper airflow throughout the ducts. Poor airflow means the system will have to run longer to produce the right amount of air circulation throughout the building, increasing overall costs. When to change your filter depends on how dirty the air is and how big the filter is, but it is recommended they are replaced at least every six months.

Dirty Coils

If your HVAC has dirty air filters, you will likely have dirty coils. You may also get dirty coils if you run your system without an air filter because all of the dust, particles, and other bacteria will attach itself directly to your coils instead of the filter.

There are two types of coils in your HVAC system: a condenser and evaporator. Your HVAC heats or cools buildings, depending on your thermostat settings, and the coils are what increase or decrease the temperature. When your coils are dirty, their functionality decreases. Here’s some of the issues that are caused by dirty coils.

An energy inefficient HVAC will cool only at 60 or 70% of its effectiveness

HVAC lifespan decreases significantly

#3. Noticeably Higher Energy Costs

Proper maintenance on HVAC systems is not as common as you may think. HVACs run in the background, and if everything is operating normally, most office staff doesn’t think twice about it. By the time there is a noticeable problem, it will often result in a costly repair. If you start seeing higher energy bills, and your business hasn’t made any significant routine changes, an improperly maintained HVAC could be the issue.

Dirty Ducts

Dirty ducts are the result of dirty air filters. When your ducts are dirty or clogged with excess particles, it prohibits the airflow, making your system work harder than necessary. Unless the problem is serious, you’ll see a rise in your electricity bill since your HVAC will still provide the required heating and cooling comfort levels, but use more energy to do it.

Chillers

Chillers are among the largest single energy users in HVAC systems, often accounting for 50% of total HVAC electricity cost. In the simplest explanation, a chiller works to remove heat to produce cooler temperatures (air conditioning). Improper maintenance can cause chillers to get clogs or damaged tubes and leaks, which can lead to a 10% increase on your electricity bill. One way to improve a chiller’s efficiency is to install a variable speed drive (VSD). A VSD calculates the required load demand the HVAC needs to cool a building properly and matches the motor speed to that demand to reduce energy and improve efficiency. Variable speed drives are important for enhancing chiller reliability and lifespan.

Disabled Dampers

Dampers can get lodged in an open position causing heating coils in the air duct to work harder than necessary. Just like with dirty ducts, this often goes unnoticed because comfort levels will not decrease, as the HVAC will still maintain the appropriate comfort levels, but at a higher energy expense.

Duct Leakage

Duct leakage can account for 20-40% energy loss, even in a well-operated system. This can also cause inconsistent heating and cooling throughout the building.
Reduce Load Capacity

Reducing load capacity helps your HVAC system run less frequently. Installing insulation, energy-efficient windows, window film, energy-efficient lighting, and upgrading to ENERGY STAR certified office equipment are measures to help reduce load capacity. Please see our article 7 Easy Tips to Improve Your HVAC Efficiency for more information.

#4. Your HVAC Needs Frequent Repairs

There’s no point to keep dishing out money for repairs for a system that keeps breaking down. HVAC systems that fail continuously are not only bad from an economic standpoint, but they could be dangerously unhealthy (see #2). HVACs that are either too old or are costing too much money in electricity costs and repairs should be replaced.

Bottom Line

HVACs are a large capital investment for many homes and businesses. It is important to keep them maintained and clean in order to maximize efficiency and maintain employee health.