Breathing clean indoor air is paramount to staying healthy, especially during the winter months when stagnant outdoor air and valley fog sets in around the Fresno area. One of the easiest things you can do to keep your IAQ (indoor air quality) as high as possible is to clean your A/C vents or radiators.
Dust buildup in your HVAC system can lead to higher utility bills due to your system’s less-than-efficient operation. This is why you should take steps to clean your A/C vents on a regular basis. This helps preserve the life of your system and improves IAQ.
Steps to Clean A/C Vents
Step 1 – Before starting any cleaning tasks, make sure you have the necessary tools on hand to complete the job. Consider your safety at every juncture of the process. Some of the tools you’ll need, include:
- Phillips or flathead screwdriver
- Heavy duty vacuum
- Sturdy folding ladder (for ceiling vents)
- Broom
- Cleaning brush
- Hot soapy water and sponge
- Eye protection
- Dust mask
Step 2 – Turn off your HVAC system before starting any maintenance. Spread out a sheet or drop cloth on the floor, if you have one, to catch falling dust. Don your eye protection and a dust mask before beginning the task.
Step 3 – Next, unscrew your vent covers and brush away any dirt and dust buildup. Then, use a cleaning brush and reach into the ducts to gently clean them off. Follow up with a vacuum cleaner to remove loose particulates. For floor vents, use the same process.
Cleaning radiators should be a much simpler process. Make sure they’re turned off. Then, dust off the radiators and wash them down with warm soapy water and a sponge. Finally, dry with a clean cloth to prevent rusting.
If you observed an unusual buildup of dust or the presence of mold or mildew in your air ducts, you should consider calling an HVAC professional to clean your A/C vents thoroughly.
For more information about duct cleaning services, contact Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning, the Mr. Cool of Fresno since 1970.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Fresno, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about A/C vents and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Felix Mizioznikov/Shutterstock”