Air Duct Cleaning vs. HVAC Maintenance: What's the Difference?

Air duct cleaning is essential to maintaining a healthy and hygienic home. It ensures the ductwork is always circulating clean air that is free of airborne contaminants that can build up in the ducts if not addressed. However, some homeowners in Arvada confuse cleaning of the air ducts with HVAC maintenance. But while clean air ducts could be considered an aspect of HVAC maintenance, HVAC maintenance itself is far more involved and needs to be performed by highly trained HVAC engineers. In this post, we'll look at the difference between the two home maintenance routines.

First Things First: What is Air Duct Cleaning?

The air ducts are what deliver conditioned (heated or cooled) air to the various rooms in the home, and remove stale air so that it can be cleaned, conditioned and recirculated. Cleaning the air ducts focuses specifically on removing dirt, dust, debris, mold and a slew of other contaminants that accumulate over time from a home's air ducts. If it is not done periodically, the homeowner will be unknowingly recirculating dirty air that can cause respiratory distress, allergies, and more.

Our certified Air Duct Technicians employ a variety of techniques and specialized equipment to perform their work, including:

• Closely inspecting the ducts for dirt, debris, mold, pet hair, and more.
• Using brushes, vacuums, air whips, and more to dislodge contaminants in the ducts. Featuring the patented RAMAir Truck Mounted Sytem.
• Making sure human-facing aspects of the system, such as supply and return registers are also thoroughly cleaned.

The ultimate goal of cleaning the air ducts is to improve the quality of the air circulating throughout the house. This will make the entire home a healthier, more hygienic environment and help ensure loved ones do not develop allergies or bothersome respiratory conditions.

What is HVAC Maintenance?

Cleaning air ducts requires specialized equipment and properly trained technicians to ensure the process goes smoothly and produces the desired result. Yet, in contrast to HVAC maintenance, it is a narrow-focus process since it zeroes in specifically on the ductwork.

HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) maintenance, on the other hand, involves making a comprehensive inspection of the entire HVAC system and then performing whatever cleaning and servicing is necessary. The following tasks are typically included as part of standard HVAC maintenance:

• Checking the settings and calibration of the thermostat.
• Closely examining all electrical connections in the system.
• Performing a close inspection of the heat exchanger looking for damage such as cracks.
• Lubricating the blower and other components that may need it.
• Checking refrigerant levels and topping them up if necessary.
• Looking for leaks in the refrigerant system.
• Cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils.
• Inspecting and, if necessary, cleaning the condensate line.
• Testing the startup and shutdown cycles.
• Inspecting, cleaning and, if necessary, replacing the air filters.
• Performing any necessary repairs or parts replacements.
• Testing the system to ensure optimal performance.

As you can see, HVAC maintenance is a more involved process than duct cleaning. Though each is vitally important, HVAC maintenance can only be performed by properly qualified HVAC engineers.

Key Differences Between the Two

The scope of the work involved

• Cleaning the air ducts focuses strictly on the air pathways used to circulate air.
• HVAC maintenance, by contrast involves inspecting, maintaining and repairing components of the mechanical system that produces the conditioned air that is delivered to the ducts.

The purpose of the work

• The purpose of cleaning the ducts is to improve the quality of the air circulating through the home.
• The purpose of HVAC maintenance is to ensure the mechanical systems used to condition the air in the home are all performing up to spec.

How often they should be performed

• Air ducts should be cleaned every couple of years.
• It is recommended that HVAC maintenance be performed at least once a year.

How they impact indoor air quality

• Cleaning the ductwork directly impacts the quality of the air moving throughout the house.
• HVAC maintenance has an indirect impact on air quality by ensuring air filters are clean and that system is working efficiently.

The type of training involved

• Duct cleaners must be properly trained in the techniques and equipment used on the job.
• HVAC engineers need to have proper technical education and certification that proves their expertise.

How to Tell if You Need to Have Your Ducts Cleaned

As a general rule, it is recommended that you have your air ducts cleaned every 1-2 years. However, there may be instances when you need to order an immediate cleaning. If you notice any of the following, it's time to call Steve's:

• Mold growing on any HVAC components, air registers or inside the ducts.
• Dust coming out of the vents when the system is running.
• Evidence of rodents in the ductwork.
• Foul odors emanating from the ducts.

Also, if your home is undergoing renovation, you should schedule a cleaning as soon as the work is finished.

This video provides an extreme example of what dirty air vents look like.

This video provides an extreme example of what dirty air vents look like.

Why Regular HVAC Maintenance is Important

Homeowners should make a habit of scheduling HVAC maintenance to be performed at least once a year. Failing to do so could lead to a cascade of negative effects, including:

• Higher energy bills as the system strains to keep up with what's required of it.
• More frequent repairs as stressed-out parts give up.
• Abrupt and unexpected system failures during times when you need the system the most.
• Manufacturer's warranties being voided due to lack of proper maintenance.
• A shorter overall lifespan for the HVAC system.

Can Duct Cleaning and HVAC Maintenance Be Performed at the Same Time?

In theory, yes. But the practical reality is that both the duct cleaner and the HVAC engineer need to be able to concentrate on what they are doing. Having both an HVAC engineer and a team from Steve's working at the same time is bound to create confusion.

The Bottom Line

Both air vent cleaning and HVAC cleaning are essential home services that need to be performed on a regularly scheduled basis. While HVAC maintenance focuses on ensuring the entire HVAC system is always operating efficiently, cleaning the air ducts ensures that the conditioned air being produced by the HVAC system is delivered to the home's occupants in the same clean, pristine state it was in when it left the furnace.