At Quality Heating & Cooling, we know how much you rely on your HVAC system to keep your home comfortable year-round. What many homeowners don’t realize is that the efficiency of their heating and cooling system heavily depends on one critical component: the ductwork. If your ducts are dirty, leaky, or outdated, they could be costing you more money and energy than necessary. In this post, we’ll explore how air duct cleaning in Middletown, sealing, and sometimes even the replacement of air ducts can improve your HVAC system’s efficiency and enhance your home’s comfort.

The Role of Ductwork in HVAC Efficiency

Your ductwork is the circulatory system of your home’s HVAC setup. It’s responsible for delivering conditioned air from your furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner to every room in your house. However, if your ducts are in poor condition, they can compromise your system’s efficiency. 

According to ENERGY STAR®, as much as 20-30% of the air moving through a duct system can be lost due to leaks, holes, or poorly connected ducts. This means your HVAC system has to work harder to compensate for the lost air, leading to higher energy bills and uneven temperatures in your home.

Duct Cleaning: Clearing the Path for Better Airflow

Over time, your ducts can accumulate dust, dirt, pollen, animal droppings, pet and human dander, and mold. These contaminants not only reduce the quality of the air you breathe but also restrict airflow, forcing your HVAC system to work harder to maintain temperatures.

Professional duct cleaning removes these obstructions, improving airflow and allowing your system to operate more efficiently. Clean ducts also reduce the risk of allergens and irritants circulating throughout your home, which can benefit your family’s health. We use advanced tools and techniques to ensure your ducts are thoroughly cleaned, giving your HVAC system the clear path it needs to perform at its best.

Duct Sealing: Stopping Energy Loss

Leaky ducts are a common but often overlooked issue that can severely impact HVAC efficiency. Signs of duct leaks include inconsistent temperatures between rooms, higher-than-usual energy bills, or visible gaps and holes in your ductwork.

Duct sealing addresses this problem by closing gaps and cracks where air escapes. We use state-of-the-art methods to ensure a thorough and long-lasting seal. Properly sealed ducts not only prevent energy loss but also improve air distribution, ensuring every room in your home stays comfortable.

Duct Replacement: When It’s Time for a Fresh Start

While cleaning and sealing can address many issues, there are times when duct replacement is the best option. Older duct systems, especially those made from outdated materials or damaged by wear and tear, can hinder your HVAC’s performance.

Signs that it might be time to replace your ducts include extensive corrosion, significant leaks, or ducts that are improperly sized for your current HVAC system. Newer duct systems are designed with energy efficiency and durability in mind, helping your HVAC system operate more effectively and reducing your energy costs in the long term. 

Don’t let inefficient ducts drain your energy and money. Contact us today to schedule a duct inspection and discover how we can help improve your home’s comfort and efficiency.

Contact Quality Heating & Cooling today for air duct cleaning in Middletown, NY. It’s not a Quality job, unless it has our Quality seal.

The post How New Ducts Can Boost Your HVAC System’s Efficiency first appeared on Quality Heating & Cooling.

The Canadian wildfires blanketed our state in thick layers of smoke not once, but twice this summer. Many states had air quality warnings and residents were urged to stay inside. With more and more extended periods of poor air quality, you may be wondering how wildfire smoke affects your home’s ventilation system, and for good reason.

That’s because the “V” in HVAC stands for ventilation. Yes, it’s important enough to be in the name! Your ductwork is responsible for delivering the conditioned air to the rooms of your home. And unfortunately, it’s not impervious to outdoor contaminants like wildfire smoke. 

When your ductwork is in poor condition, it can affect your comfort by decreasing your HVAC system’s performance and lowering your indoor air quality (IAQ). Let’s go over whether your home would benefit from duct cleaning due to recent wildfires. 

Wildfires and the Air Quality Index (AQI)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the Air Quality Index (AQI) to let people know how clean or polluted the outside air is on a daily basis. New York state has experienced an increasing number of days where the AQI is at unhealthy levels due to high concentrations of smoke-induced fine particulate matter.

People are advised to stay inside when the AQI is poor. However, smoke and particulate matter can still penetrate your home even when all the doors and windows of your home are closed. Depending on where you live, you’ve possibly had a light layer of ash accumulate in your home or have even worn an N95 mask inside to avoid breathing in particulates. 

What’s in Wildfire Smoke?

Wildfire smoke contains a mixture of particulates, carcinogens, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and volatile chemicals. Its specific makeup will change based on what materials are feeding the flames. The microscopic particles from wildfire smoke are smaller than 2.5 micrometers, small enough to penetrate the lungs and bloodstream. This is why residents are urged to stay inside and refrain from outdoor activity when the AQI is bad due to wildfire smoke.

Should I Have My Ducts Cleaned After a Wildfire?

According to the EPA, ductwork should be cleaned if your ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and if particles are actually released into your home from the supply registers. If your ductwork is already problematic and then is affected by ash and smoke from a wildfire, duct cleaning is recommended.

So how do you know if your ductwork is in good condition? If you’ve lived in your home for more than 4 years and have never had your ducts cleaned, your home is overdue for this service. Air ducts should be cleaned every 3-4 years under normal conditions. 

We’re Certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association

We’re one of the only contractors in the area who are certified by NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association). That means we’re highly trained and certified to evaluate your ductwork and provide you with an expert opinion on whether ductwork cleaning would be beneficial to your home. 

Contact Quality Heating & Cooling today for AC repairs in Middletown, NY. It’s not a Quality job, unless it has our Quality seal. 

The post Should I Get My Ducts Cleaned After Wildfire Exposure? first appeared on Quality Heating & Cooling.