Tag Archive for: air duct cleaning

Several air ducts on a building with new homes who's air ducts need to be cleaned.

Moving into a New Home? 6 Reasons to Have the Air Ducts Cleaned

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f Moving into a new home is a thrilling and memorable experience. Of course, you have a list of things to do, like fitting the rooms for furniture and windows for curtains, repainting the walls, and more.

While preparing a new home, most people forget to clean the air ducts, which is essential as it will ensure you and your family enjoy the cleanest air possible and give your house a homey feel. Let’s look at six reasons to have air ducts cleaned in a new home.

1. Remove Mold

You should remove all potential allergens from your environment, especially if you or a family member suffer from allergies.

Mold ranks high among allergens, and mold spores can cause allergic reactions like wheezing, headaches, itching, and running nose.

It can thrive inside and outside your house, so you should check for it in damp places such as basements, the kitchen, and bathrooms.

Mold can also grow inside an HVAC system, and it’s extremely challenging to go through the whole system looking for it. Hence it’s preferable to have a professional inspect the air ducts and remove any mold.

2. Remove Dander and Pet Hair

Being a pet parent is fulfilling; they love us unconditionally and brighten our days. While pets such as fish and reptiles don’t have any dander or fur, cats and dogs can give you a mild or severe allergic reaction, especially if you have a dander allergy.

A report by the American Lung Association states that more than 161 million cats and dogs stay in American households. So, the chances of you moving into a house that previously had a cat or dog are high. Therefore, cleaning your new home’s air ducts is critical before settling in.

3. Ensure the HVAC System Runs Efficiently

There are numerous reasons why an HVAC system may not function as it should. The ductwork may leak, air filters can be dirty, and items could have fallen into the system, damaging the ductwork.

Due to one or two of these reasons, a faulty HVAC system can significantly raise your cooling or heating bills.

Before moving into a new building, it’s better to mitigate the risk of an ineffective HVAC system by cleaning and inspecting the ducts.

4. Keep Away Unwanted Guests

Insects and rodents like mice and rats are attracted to dark, unkempt, dirty places. Keeping air ducts clean will help get rid of any creepy crawlers that could be lurking in them. It will also discourage other animals that feed on these insects from entering the ductwork.

5. Remove Debris and Dust

You may want to paint or renovate some rooms to personalize your new home.

Dust from the painting and sanding may accumulate inside the air ventilation system, and trade workers don’t usually clean them.

Additionally, they could leave items in the vents while working. For such reasons, air duct cleaning will ensure clean air circulation and prevent breathing discomfort.

6. Get Rid of Old “Lifestyle” and Cooking Smells from Previous Owners

People have different lifestyle choices, which you may not be comfortable with. Cleaning the air ducts of your new home will help clear all lingering cooking or smoking smells from previous house occupants. Doing so will make you feel comfortable in your new environment.

Tips For Finding a Qualified Professional to Clean Your Air Ducts

Homeowners generally find air duct cleaning to be stressful and time-consuming — which it is. So, stepping back and having a professional do the work is preferable.

Finding one that will provide excellent service will be easy if you know what to check for.

Here are some factors to consider:

Does the company have all the credentials?

Check that the HVAC cleaning company has the necessary credentials and is insured. Ask if they have a surety bond and liability coverage for more protection.

What’s their experience?

You’ll need to choose a company with enough experience cleaning air ducts and working with HVAC systems. That way, you lower the chances of costly mistakes and ensure effective cleaning.

Research Their Workmanship

Has the company received any positive reviews and ratings? What do their past clients say about their services?

It’s always better to work with an expert who provides a customer-centric service that will meet all your needs. You can check their website for such information.

Sixpenny Chimney — Professional Air Duct Cleaners in Northern Virginia

Cleaning your air ducts before moving into your new home and regularly after will ensure you keep away the allergens and always have fresh air.

Sixpenny Chimney in Northern Virginia offers exceptional air duct cleaning, HVAC maintenance, and replacement services.

Whether you want to install an air purification system or even clean the chimney, we can do that for you. Contact us today for more information.

A person holding their thermostat control examining it for any HVAC myths.

HVAC Myths You Swore Were True

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Many HVAC myths appear to be wishful thinking rather than based on any facts. And unfortunately, if you center your HVAC operation and maintenance on these misconceptions, you’ll probably end up being more out of pocket than if you followed recommended procedures. See these five HVAC myths you swore were true and save yourself some hard-earned cash.

1. The Larger the HVAC System, the Better

One of the prominent HVAC myths is the misconception that larger systems are better for home comfort and air quality. Sure, a bigger furnace or air-conditioning unit will pump out more hot or cold air quicker than an undersized unit. But the right size equipment is selected to perform best for the square footage of your home.

If you buy a system larger than recommended for your home, there will be problems. Even heating and cooling throughout is more difficult, and energy use is higher. So, you’ve wasted money on buying the more expensive larger unit and spent more on energy overall for the year.

Short Cycling Causes Damage

One of the biggest problems with oversized HVAC equipment is short cycling. Because the system quickly heats or cools to the set temperature, it is prompted to start and stop repeatedly. The constant operating changes cause high wear and tear on system parts, shortening their lifespan.

2. Closing Off Air Vents is Another of the HVAC Myths

So many people follow this next myth to their detriment. They believe that vents should be closed off in rooms that aren’t actively used. They believe this will keep more and better air going through the high-use rooms in the home. Unfortunately, that’s not how central heating and cooling work.

HVAC systems are designed to balance the airflow and temperature in every room with vents. If vents are closed, the system sends the same air volume through the ducts, but the flow is no longer balanced. As a result, pressure builds up in the system, putting strain on ductwork. Eventually, this causes leaks in the ducts, with repairs necessary.

The increased strain on the system will also raise energy consumption and up your power bills.

3. Resetting Thermostats with Large Temperature Swings

More HVAC myths center around thermostat settings. On a scorching day, you may be tempted to drop the temperature by many degrees, believing this will quickly cool the house down. But this will merely result in higher energy costs.

Your HVAC system is designed to remove hot indoor air to outside the home at a constant pace. This process continues until the temperature in all rooms meets the average of the thermostat setting. A significant drop in the thermostat temperature setting doesn’t mean the HVAC equipment can work any faster. However, it is put under a lot of stress to achieve a lower temperature.

Overworking central air strains HVAC parts, shortening lifespan and raising energy costs. The process of quickly increasing the temperature with central heating has similar problems.

4. My HVAC is Running Just Fine, so I Can Skip Annual Maintenance

Skipping annual upkeep can hit your wallet hard. Maintenance by professional HVAC technicians and ductwork cleaners heads off many unseen problems that may be starting. By the time your system starts to show signs of trouble, damage to equipment has already happened. It’s a false economy to save on maintenance costs and then have to fork out money for repairs.

5. High-Efficiency Filters are Better than Standard Filters

Another of the HVAC myths that don’t stack up is around air filters. With continual advice from government departments and industry that efficiency is key to reducing energy costs, it’s natural that there can be confusion around high-efficiency equipment.

The use of HEPA (high-efficiency particulate absorbing) air filters and standard air filters depends to a large extent on your circumstances. If you have family members who suffer from allergies or asthma, they may be significantly helped with HEPA parts. These air filters have a denser mesh that captures more airborne allergens and particles, resulting in higher air quality. But there are disadvantages.

As the thicker HEPA filter catches more airborne material, it clogs and reduces airflow. This puts strain on the system, leading to damage and shortened lifespan. HEPA filters must be regularly cleaned or replaced, more often than standard filters.

Professional Ductwork Cleaning in Northern Virginia

Six Penny Chimney provides expert fireplace and chimney cleaning services. Additionally, we can look after all your air duct cleaning requirements. Our friendly, high-quality work is no myth. Request a Quote or Service, and we will quickly respond. See you soon!

Person holding up their hand and coughing due to uncleaned air from polluted ductwork.

What’s That Smell? 5 Side Effects of Uncleaned Ductwork

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ectsOur homes should provide a healthy barrier from the onslaught of industrial chemicals and pollutants in the outdoor atmosphere. Nature throws in her fair share of air contaminants as well. Surprisingly, the air quality in our homes can be worse than that outside, and our home HVAC is often implicated. So, if you’re wondering, what’s that smell? See these five side effects of uncleaned ductwork and how to fix the problem.

1. Live and Kicking in Your Ductwork

Well-sealed ducts shouldn’t house live animals and insects, but nature is always enterprising and will breach any weak spots. Over time normal wear and tear, particularly around joins, will result in gaps forming and small holes opening, and if not attended to, parts of the ductwork may collapse.

Rodents, including mice, rats and squirrels, and all types of creepy crawlies, find shelter within ductwork that’s preferable to facing inclement weather outdoors. So they will take up residence, and it doesn’t take long for their droppings, urine, dander, and fur to emit unpleasant smells. And let’s not talk about the bacteria accompanying these by-products, producing intense odors from uncleaned ductwork.

A thorough professional cleaning is needed to get rid of these unwanted guests and their accompanying smells.

2. Natures Air-Borne Contaminants in Ductwork

The air outdoors always contains a concentration of allergens and pollutants, particularly in spring and summer. Mold, fungi, and pollen spores can easily lodge within your ductwork, particularly if the air filters are dirty and there is persistent dampness within the air ducts. These tiny outdoor pollutants only need an open door or window to make their way indoors.

A sign that you may have a high spore level in your HVAC is if family members are sneezing, coughing, or suffering from asthma when the cooling or heating is operating. Annual inspection and cleaning will help reduce any allergens residing in the system. In addition, special bio-sprays or bleach and other disinfectants may need to be used to kill off the spores permanently.

Another indicator of mold and mildew residing in the ductwork is a musty, earthy scent and the visible presence of black spots around vents.

3. Damp and Moisture in Air Ducts

Dank water, dampness, mold, and bacteria growth go hand-in-hand. There are several reasons why moisture can accumulate in the ductwork and cause issues. A leaking roof, damaged pipes, and condensed water vapor from air conditioner coils are all common ways that moisture gets into the air ducts.

Bacterial contaminants in ductwork flourish when stagnant pools of moisture form. Legionella is a dangerous bacteria that causes pneumonia in susceptible people. Outbreaks of this disease are regularly traced back to air conditioning systems.

A hint that you may have bacteria in the HVAC are musty, dank odors, sometimes described as being like dirty socks.

4. Noxious Gasses Spell Trouble

If you’re getting a smell reminiscent of exhaust gasses, Sulphur, or a combination of burnt matches with vinegar overtones, don’t go sticking your nose into this problem. These odors mean that noxious fumes are moving through the air ducts. The fumes usually occur due to damage or failure of internal components. For example, this can happen when a heat exchanger unit in the HVAC has cracked, and toxic gas is released directly into the air ducts instead of venting outside.

Carbon monoxide, the odorless, colorless, deadly gas, may accompany the other noxious by-products generated in the HVAC. Likewise, a partially blocked flue can result in toxic fumes being backed up into the HVAC and distributed through the ductwork.

Any problems with gas leaks require emergency assistance from HVAC technicians. Never attempt to fix this yourself.

5. Dust Off Odors from Uncleaned Ductwork

Sometimes getting rid of persistent smells from the HVAC is a pretty simple fix. If you smell dust, it’s probably just that — dust and dirt particle contaminants in ductwork. If it’s been a while since the dust filters were replaced, now’s the time to do exactly that. Heavily used heating and cooling systems should have the air filters changed every 90 days or so. This is an easy DIY job, so there are no excuses for this particular lingering odor.

Get Rid of Ductwork Odors with Professional Cleaning

Besides looking after all your fireplace and chimney cleaning needs in Northern Virginia, Six Penny Chimney also provides expert air duct cleaning services. So if you’re experiencing side effects or odors from uncleaned ductwork, request a quote or service, and we will get right back to you. We’ll quickly banish those bad smells from your home.

Living room with proper heating and AC maintenance done to ensure safety for homeowners

Heating & AC Maintenance Facts Homeowners Should Know

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Your comfortable home environment depends on your HVAC operating effectively during every season it’s needed. Regular maintenance is vital to have your system working at peak efficiency. For most people, the HVAC equipment’s complexity means they rely on qualified technicians to perform this work. But what should you expect from maintenance technicians, and how often should you schedule them? See these crucial heating and air conditioning maintenance facts homeowners should know.

Air Filters

Regularly changing or cleaning air filters for heating or cooling equipment is a primary maintenance task. It’s the single most effective heating and AC conditioning maintenance job you can do to keep your indoor air at a high-quality level.

Changing air filters is also relatively easy for most homeowners to do on their own. It’s not highly technical; it just relies on knowing which specific air filter to purchase and finding where it is located in your equipment. In most cases, you should be able to simply slide out or click the existing filter and install a new one in the same manner.

The type of filter and its location should be detailed in the user manual or technical specification accompanying your equipment purchase. If your equipment was installed before purchasing your home, an online search will probably retrieve the needed instructions. Or you can always contact the relevant call center to get the details.

Inspection and Detection

When an HVAC service call is scheduled, you should expect your technicians to provide you with a comprehensive list detailing the equipment inspection tasks. They should also discuss any minor repairs you can expect as part of the service call. For example, whether ductwork will be sealed where gaps have been detected or exactly what air duct cleaning will entail. Ensure you also discuss any concerns with them about odors, noises, or poor air flow that you’ve noticed.

Ask to have a look at the technicians’ checklist and see that it covers the following:

  • Thermostat testing
  • Checking and replacing air filters
  • Airflow tests
  • Checking the levels of refrigerant
  • Inspecting equipment connection points
  • Testing electrical connections
  • Examining blower mechanisms
  • Lubrication, tightening, and sealing of connection points and moving parts
  • Looking at drain lines and water collection pans
  • Identifying and notifying any pests or contaminants that have taken up residence in the ductwork, and
  • Reporting on the general condition of the system.

An important outcome of the final report is to give the owner a heads-up on the expected remaining life of the equipment. Any hint of equipment failure that may happen in the future without replacement or major repair is also helpful. Better to be prepared and have money set aside for such eventualities.

Some Common Problems to Focus On

HVAC equipment has some common fail points, mainly when heating and AC maintenance has been irregular. These include leaks in connector and drain lines and corrosion of metal parts where moisture accumulates, such as connecting wires.

AC units can often develop faults in circuit breakers or fuses. If airflow becomes a problem, check that the space around the unit is clear and open. Furniture or household items may have been inadvertently misplaced and be a hindrance.

Furnaces can fail for several reasons; thermostats malfunction, ignition switches fail, and blower motors stop. If a furnace is not pumping out heat in its usual manner, often the culprit is dirty filters hindering the free flow of air.

Scheduling Heating and AC Maintenance

Most maintenance plans for HVAC equipment include two service calls each year. One service will focus on inspecting, servicing, and any necessary repairs on the air conditioning equipment. Scheduling should be planned so that all work is done well before the hot weather begins. Similarly, the heating component will be serviced before cold weather sets in.

With a set maintenance plan, you minimize the worry of anything going wrong with your equipment when needed most during the peak of summer or winter. It’s not worth skipping maintenance even if you think you can get by for a year. Little problems can quickly turn into severe ones in a heavily used HVAC system.

Of course, an annual service will be satisfactory if you only have an air conditioner or a heating component.

HVAC Cleaning Services in Northern Virginia

Six Penny Chimney in Northern Virginia has an intimate understanding of the local weather and the impacts on your heating and cooling systems. We provide expert maintenance for chimneys, fireplaces, gutters, furnace flues, and HVAC ductwork. Book your service with us today. 

Clean air ducts in a well-lit and clean building hallway

7 Common Air Duct Cleaning Questions Answered

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Opinions on how often air ducts need cleaning are mixed. For example, a new home heating and cooling system is unlikely to have a build-up of mold or dust and may not require cleaning for some years. On the other hand, old HVAC equipment or a location near an industrial estate may be exposed to elevated dust and contaminants, and annual cleaning is justified. Here are seven air duct cleaning questions, answered to give you the information to decide when services are needed.

1. Do Air Ducts Need Annual Cleaning?

The answer to this is — it depends. Deciding how often to have your air ducts maintained depends on the level of contaminants in your system. If pollutants have built to a high level, there can be health implications in breathing poor-quality air. An annual HVAC inspection should highlight any ducting issues that justify cleaning.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has examined the issue of air duct maintenance and has fallen short of recommending that annual cleaning is necessary. However, the agency has delivered some guidance on instances when servicing is indicated.

2. Does the Presence of Mold Justify Air Duct Cleaning?

This is undoubtedly an instance where servicing is necessary. If mold or fungi have found a suitable nook or cranny to lodge and grow, the problem will likely continue and could expand rapidly. Spores can be blown through the ducts into rooms, lowering air quality and causing health problems.

It can be difficult for you as a homeowner to view any mold, as parts of the system aren’t easily accessible. Technicians use specialized equipment to view inside the HVAC ducts. Ask the technicians to show where mold is present if you have any doubts.

3. How Can I Tell if Mold is Really Growing in the HVAC Air Ducts?

Substances like stains or debris may give the appearance of mold, though they are relatively harmless. For a reasonably small charge (under $100), you can get a sample vetted by a microbiology laboratory and confirm its exact nature. If the result shows a harmless element, you may save unnecessary air duct cleaning costs.

4. If Mold is Present, How are Insulated Ducts Cleaned?

Unfortunately, cleaning is impossible when the insulation material has become wet and then moldy. The insulation should be removed and then a new product inserted. You should make sure that the cause of the moisture and mold entering the HVAC has been identified and repairs made before replacing the insulation.

5. What Do I Do If there are Pests or Vermin in the Air Duct?

It’s bye-bye pests time. If you’ve heard animal noises or noticed an odor of rodents or insect droppings, the pests must be expelled. Either call in a pest controller or see whether local air duct cleaners will get rid of the wildlife and then clean the air ducts. Of course, you will want thorough air duct cleaning after dealing with this problem.

6. Is Visible Dirt and Grime Normal?

If heavy dust and grime are clinging to air vents, then this is probably a good time to consider getting the HVAC ducts cleaned. Continual build-up of dirt will affect air quality in your home, interfering with airflow through the system. In turn, the build-up will make the system work harder, becoming less efficient and raising your energy bills.

7. Should I Allow Chemical Biocides to be Applied in the Air Ducts?

After cleaning mold out of your HVAC, some service providers may want to apply a chemical biocide to destroy any residual spores and stop future infestations. There are pros and cons to the use of these types of substances, and you should judge their use in regard to the circumstances applying in your home. Any potential toxicity should be carefully assessed. However, there are EPA-approved disinfectants and mold-destroying products that should be relatively safe to use.

Local Air Duct Cleaners in Northern Virginia

If you’ve had to ask any of the above questions about your HVAC, then your system is probably overdue for air duct cleaning. At Six Penny Chimney, we provide thorough expert cleaning using Power Vac trucks with industrial strength equipment. After we vacuum dirt, grime, and biological substances out of your ducts, we then use additional tools to remove any clinging substances. Your HVAC will be fresh as a daisy when we’re finished.

If you’re a Northern Virginia resident, get in touch for a free no-obligation quote on air duct servicing. We can also look after your chimney and fireplace inspections, repairs, and any chimney sweeping needs.

7 Seasonal Maintenance Calls You Should Make Before the Snow Falls this Winter

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Get ready for winter by ensuring your home can withstand whatever the worst of the season throws at it. Is your HVAC ready to face extended chilly weather and heavy snowfalls? Are your roof and guttering able to withstand fierce winds and heavy rain? Here are seven seasonal maintenance calls you should make before this winter to protect your home.

1 Air Duct Cleaning

First off, consider your HVAC and whether the air ducts are due for a cleaning. Generally, this should be done every two years. Cleaning the ducts improves air quality in the home. It also helps with the efficiency of the overall HVAC system, reducing energy costs. Call in qualified HVAC technicians for this task and get them to clean the dryer vent as well.

2 Chimney Sweeping — an Essential Seasonal Maintenance Call Before Winter 

Your fireplace needs to be in prime condition for the long winter ahead. Any creosote build-up should be swept away before fires are lit. Otherwise, there is a danger that the chimney will catch fire. Creosote removal is best left to professional chimney sweeps to handle. They will check the fireplace and chimney for any damage or blockages and thoroughly clean the flues.

You’ll want to tick this maintenance call off long before frosty days begin, and you want to start lighting fires. Once the winter chill sets in, the demand for chimney cleaners will increase, and you may have trouble scheduling service when you want it.

3 Furnace Inspection and Cleaning

One of your seasonal maintenance calls before winter must include a check and clean of the furnace. As the Department of Energy states — properly maintaining and upgrading heating systems will save you money and increase comfort within the home. Get a qualified HVAC technician to do this task. They will check furnace parts, including the blower, heat pump, fans, humidifier, and thermostat.

This may be a good time to consider installing a programmable thermostat if you don’t have one. You can reduce the temperature as needed and save more on energy costs.

4 Gutter Cleaning and Replacement

Walk around your home and look at the guttering. What state are they in? Do they look like they can face up to heavy rainfalls, or are they likely to come away from the house due to missing screws, rust, or damaged parts? When was the last time you had leaves and debris removed? Call in dependable technicians to inspect, clean, and repair loose guttering.  If your budget permits, consider installing gutter guards, as they will eliminate debris falling into the gutters.

5 Insulation and Weatherstripping

Check all your doors and windows for drafts. Look for any gaps that show daylight. The amount of heat escaping from small cracks is quite extraordinary. It can make a significant difference to home heating energy costs. Fix this problem with caulk or weather stripping as needed. If you’re not the handy type, well, that’s why handymen exist.

If you’re fighting a losing battle due to old degrading window frames, consider upgrading to newer energy-efficient windows with low-maintenance frames. New windows can make a dramatic improvement to room heating needs.

If you don’t have adequate insulation in the roof, now is an excellent time to upgrade, ensuring better heat retention over the winter season.

6 Roof Inspection and Repairs

Another of your necessary seasonal maintenance calls before winter is to schedule a roof inspection. Major storms and strong winds blowing away loose tiles, shingles, or other roof fixtures can create havoc. Small leaks can turn into large and cause internal damage to the home interior. Roof vents should also be looked at for deterioration, along with metal flashing.

7 Masonry Work

The last item on your scheduled maintenance call list is to have your paving, walkways, and other outdoor structures checked. Are there any loose pavers likely to become a hazard in icy and rainy conditions? Has mortar crumbled and dislodged from a retaining wall, causing you to wonder whether it will be able to withstand a major storm? Has there been damage to the chimney? Such problems should be easy to spot by a simple walk around your yard.

Need Help with Seasonal Maintenance?

If you’ve ticked off all those maintenance calls, you should be snug and comfortable this winter, no matter what the season throws at you. However, if you’re in Northern Virginia and need help with your seasonal upkeep, get in touch with us at Six Penny Chimney. Whether you need air duct cleaning, chimney sweeping, or gutter replacement, we’ll have your problems sorted in no time.