Duct Cleaning in Economy, PA
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Eight months of heat running through the same ducts
Economy homes need heat from October through May. That is eight months where the furnace is pushing air through the ductwork on a near daily basis, and every pass carries dust, pet hair and whatever else settles in the return with it. Most of it collects along the duct walls instead of blowing back out through the vents.
Winter nights here average 23°F, so the furnace is cycling hard through the coldest stretch of that eight months. A duct system already carrying months of buildup has less room for that air to move, and the furnace works harder to push it through. With 190 damaging wind events recorded in this county over the past ten years, homes here also see debris and fine grit find its way into the ductwork through gaps that a storm can open up.
- 8 months
- October through May, your furnace pushes air through your ducts
- 3 months
- June through August, your air conditioner does the same
NOAA nClimDiv, 1991–2020 normals
- How often should air ducts be cleaned?
- There's no fixed schedule that fits every house. Clean them sooner if anyone in the house has allergies, or if you've had a rodent problem, water damage, or a renovation that left dust behind. Ducts that run all winter to heat the house and otherwise sit untouched are the ones that build up dust and pet hair over the years. A contractor can look at what's actually in there and tell you if it's time.
- Is air duct cleaning worth it?
- It's worth it if your ducts actually have a buildup problem, not as routine maintenance. Signs it's time include dust that resettles right after you clean, a musty smell when the furnace kicks on, or visible dust around the vent covers. If none of that is happening, cleaning ducts that are already reasonably clean won't improve your air or lower your heating costs.
- What does air duct cleaning involve?
- A contractor connects a powerful vacuum to your duct system, then agitates the inside of each duct with brushes or air tools to knock loose dust and debris so it can be pulled out. They'll also clean the supply and return vents, and check the coil and blower compartment near the furnace since dust collects there too. A thorough job covers every duct run in the house, not just the ones easiest to reach.