Guide to take care of an air duct
The frequency with which you clean the air duct for your heating and air system is very important. If this task is not done the heating and air unit has to work harder, waste more electricity and may seize up.
To begin find the air duct intake. This is a panel about two feet by three feet located inside your house. Typically it is has a vented cover that accumulates dirt quickly. The cover for the air duct latches in place using one of many methods. Investigate the cover carefully and take it off it using the latches. That is to say do not break it pulling it off. Inside you will find an air filter that is fitted to the opening for the air duct.
There are several different brands of air filters with a large price range. The most important thing about buying a filter is that you need to get another one in one to three months, no matter which one you pick. This filter is the main defense for your house heat and air system to pump clean, dust free air into your home. There are washable, reusable filters available also. These are sometimes prone to allow fungus, mold or mildew to grow inside them if they do not get dried properly.
Look around the filter edge for a size marking. This will be listed in inches for example 16 x 20. This is the size filter you must purchase to replace the old one. Any hardware store or even Walmart carries common size filters.
Put in a new filter and clean the air duct, first make sure the system is turned off. Jerk out the air filter and get rid of it. If you are allergic to dust wear a mask for protection. Use the vacuum cleaner to clean out the air duct vent, clean anywhere you can reach with it. Next use a grease cutting spray cleaner to clean the air duct vent area. This is a real pain because you have to clean all the small ribs in the cover. Use the spray cleaner to clean up any spots inside the air duct. Remember this is the air source the heat and air system will blow throughout your house so try to get any dust you can clean up.
Once you have finished cleaning the air duct and have replaced the intake air filter, replace the air duct vent cover. Take the time to hook the cover properly. Then turn the heat and air system back on and enjoy clean air from your system. Regularly cleaning the air duct of your heating and air system has several benefits. Clean air coming through the home is the most obvious benefit, this can mean less coughing and nasal problems caused by dust being blown around the home. A clean air duct intake also prolongs the life span of the heat and air unit and saves money on maintenance calls. The smell of the home can also be affected by how clean the air duct and filter are kept
In general it is best to clean the air duct and replace the filter every month to get the best service from your heat and air system.
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Tanya Wiseman writes articles for: Brick Chimney Repair
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