When customers call us about duct cleaning sometimes it is because they can actually see dirt and debris that has collected within the ductwork. We can also use our duct inspection robot to provide a view of the inside of the ducts to see their condition.
Typically though, we get called to inspect and clean ductwork when someone notices that the air coming out of the vents is not very strong, has a strange smell, or does not feel cold enough. In these cases, the culprit is usually not the actual ducts; although they will be dirty, but the air conditioner’s coils.
An air conditioning system has two sets of coils: the condenser coils and the evaporator coils. A refrigerant is pumped through these coils, which serve to transfer heat and cool the air that flows over the coils. Since air is constantly flowing over these coils they pick up dirt and dust from the moving air, and over time this can collect significantly.
This buildup of dust and dirt negatively effects the operation of the HVAC system in several ways. The way most people notice is the smell, known as ‘Dirty Sock Syndrome’. This smell is caused by microbes and fungus that grows in condensation on the coils, and feeds off the dust that collects. When then air conditioning system turns on it blows these rotting microbes through the ductwork, causing the foul smell. These microbes don’t just smell bad; they can also cause health problems for people including asthma, headaches, lung disease, and in severe cases cancer.
The second effect is only noticeable to someone who regularly monitors their electric bills. The U.S. Department of Energy has estimated that HVAC systems account for 40-60 percent of the energy used in a commercial building. When the coils are dirty the system has to work harder to cool the air flowing over it, which causes the system to use up to 40 percent more energy than a clean system.
How can HVAC coil cleaning help these issues?
When the collected dirt and debris is removed it eliminates the food source for the microbes, and allows any condensation to evaporate quickly. Combining this with duct cleaning will get rid of anything living in the HVAC system that would create a bad smell and cause health problems.
Research done by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) found that having HVAC coil cleaning performed on a commercial system can help save 25-55 percent on the operation costs of the unit.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms of a dirty HVAC system contact a representative at Hughes Environmental to discuss how we can help with your HVAC cleaning needs. There’s no reason your HVAC system needs to put out a bad smell and cost more to operate than it should.
