Along with the renovation blitz that often takes place at this time of year, also comes a thorough deep cleaning of sorts. Once home improvements are complete, it’s always a good idea to get rid of sawdust, construction dirt, and freshen up the home to highlight all the beautiful new work you’ve just completed… by extension, it’s also recommended to have your vents and ducts professionally cleaned.
Although there may be a lot of skeptics out there when it comes to the benefits of extending your cleaning efforts to your homes internal ventilation system, there’s no denying the money that can be saved as a result.
Dirty air ducts can have a significant negative impact on your household energy costs. Forcing your HVAC system to work overtime when it comes to heating and cooling your home, improper care and cleaning of the vents can result in reduced performance and increased maintenance to these systems, which can be very costly. The additional strain on your HVAC system can also contribute to overly high hydro and gas bills.
According to a recent article published by Carson Dunlop, the typical six-room property creates up to 40 pounds of dust annually, which can also easily lead to your home harboring all types of allergens including cobwebs, mold, and chemical pollutants. Adding to this day-to-day build up of dust and dirt are animal dander from household pets, neighbourhood construction that leads to contaminated air being sucked into your home, and as already mentioned, indoor renovations that create extra dust. Unlike energy consumption, you can’t put a price tag on your health… For this reason alone, I’m a big advocate of having your ducts cleaned regularly, especially if someone in your household suffers from allergies or asthma like I do, it really makes a big difference.
Just an added note: If you have cats, especially long haired cats, you might like to look into having them shaved at your local pet groomer for a nominal cost of about $50. It makes a big difference to the air quality in your home as well as eliminating those cat fur dust bunnies that tend to build up in the corners. I used to live in a house with 3 cats and being a clean freak who vacuumed every day, it drove me crazy to see those dust bunnies. We decided to shave the two long haired cats every 2-3 months and it made the world of difference, and my OCD was cut down to a normal level. 🙂
If you are moving into a new home, have the ducts professionally cleaned right away, and do the same if you’ve just completed a major remodeling project. As with any contracted job, make sure the company can show you certification, references, and provides a detailed quote of what the scope of cleaning will include.
Please feel free to share your comments below, and as always, let me know if you’ve got any questions at all about your latest home renovation project, the real estate market, or just want to chat about your possibilities.
Cheers!
– Trish Mutch
