Wildfire smoke, extreme temperature swings, and the “dry” indoor air in winter that keeps dust circulating create many “invisible” issues for Calgary homeowners.
Most homeowners focus on improving HVAC performance to:
- Increase comfort levels,
- Improve indoor air quality, and
- Boost energy efficiency.
Did you know that duct cleaning could play a vital role in achieving all three of those goals?
Air ducts are the lungs of many Calgary homes, yet they are often neglected. Out of sight should not be out of mind, especially when we rely so heavily on our HVAC systems for 7–9 months of the year.
Rather than waiting until an HVAC breakdown or a major allergy flare-up, get your ducts cleaned to pre-empt and prevent expensive problems.
Here’s what you need to know…
How Does Duct Cleaning Help in Calgary?
Cleaning ductwork creates healthier indoor air, removes dust and potential blockages that restrict airflow, and helps HVAC systemsperform optimally all year round, potentially saving money on energy bills and boosting comfort levels.
Duct cleaning every few years is advisable in most Calgary homes; more often if allergy sufferers live with you. If ductwork is dirty, you’re simply re-circulating polluted air through the ducting, out of the vents, and into your lungs.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. warns that indoor air can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air. Canada is no different, and with Calgary known for its well-sealed homes to keep the cold out, dust and pollutants are often kept in.
MAKE THE RIGHT HEATING & COOLING DECISIONS…
For over two decades, Alberta Mountain Air has helped Calgarians solve heating and cooling problems and maintain ideal comfort levels. Get in touch onlinefor a quote.
7 Reasons to Book Duct Cleaning Sooner Rather Than Later
Most Calgary homes use forced-air furnaces for heating, air conditioners for cooling, or heat pumps for a combination of both.
Home ductwork is typically designed to handle extreme temperature swings and very dry air. It usually consists of a series of galvanized steel tunnels, rather than the collapsible type of ductwork seen in other climates. This provides a sturdy channel through which air flows.
There are good reasons to regularly book duct cleaning in Calgary homes. Let’s get straight into them:
1. To Combat Post-Wildfire Smoke Residue
Summer wildfire smoke seems to be getting worse each year in Calgary. Smoke residue can blanket the city and it doesn’t just stay outside the home.
Although Calgary homes are generally well-sealed to keep the winter chills out, particulate matter (PM2.5) and residue that enter the home in summer tend to remain there unless it’s cleaned away.
Whether you used your air conditioning throughout the summer or flung open the doors and windows in your home to cool down, smoke particles and residue from the fires likely entered.
If the residue ends up settling in your ductwork, it gets recirculated by the HVAC system during the winter months when the windows are sealed shut.
2. To Boost Efficiency Before the Next Cold Snap
Dust and HVAC equipment are not good partners.
Even a small amount of particulate can reduce system efficiency. For example, a 0.25-millimetre build-up of dust on AC coils can result in a 20% decrease in system efficiency.
When it comes to layers of dust in the ductwork, the effect may not be quite so drastic but it certainly does not help general HVAC efficiency.
Cleaning the ducts before the next cold snap can help to reduce monthly utility bills by allowing the furnace to move air with less resistance.
3. To Reduce “Dry Winter” Respiratory Irritants
Do you have allergy sufferers in the home?
Calgary’s dry winter air makes dust particles lighter and more likely to stay airborne, increasing the number of potential irritants. In more humid climates, dust tends to settle more and is less easily airborne.
If you’re dealing with asthma, other allergies, or the type of “dry throat” common in Alberta winters, duct cleaning may ease some of these problems.
4. To Protect Your Furnace Investment
Many HVAC problems are due to impeded air flow. Regular duct cleaning helps prevent this major cause of air conditioning and furnace repairs.
Dust is, in fact, the #1 cause of blower motor failure and cracked heat exchangers, which can be expensive fixes. Homeowners should do everything they can to reduce home dust levels.
Heat pump, air conditioner, and furnace costs in Calgary are high. To protect your investment, book duct cleaning sooner rather than later, especially if your ducts haven’t been cleaned for a few years. Think of it as “insurance” for your HVAC equipment.
5. To Remove Construction or Renovation Debris
Do you live in a new home? Many Calgary neighborhoods, like Glacier Ridge, Rangeview, and Alpine Park, are newer. Construction dust (drywall, sawdust) often sits in ducts from day one.
Maybe you recently completed renovations or there is a construction site near your house? Perhaps a neighbor recently renovated their property?
These types of scenarios create a lot of silica dust and other airborne debris that could end up in your ductwork unless you take steps to clear it.
6. To Eliminate “Old House” Odors and Pet Dander
A persistent musty smell in your home could be due to several reasons. One is hair and pet dander trapped in the vents.
That’s only part of the problem. Pet dander also blocks ductwork and impacts airflow, which reduces the efficiency of the HVAC system.
Additionally, in older Calgary bungalows (built in the 60s–80s), it was common to use the empty space between floor joists as a return air duct by simply nailing a sheet of metal over the bottom of the joists.
These aren’t perfectly sealed, so they often pull in dust from the basement or insulation fibers, making them a “high-priority” area for cleaning.
Professional duct cleaning removes the source of unwanted pet and “old house” smells rather than just masking them.
7. Beating the “First Start” Dust Explosion
Most Calgary homeowners know the “burning dust” smell when their furnace kicks on for the first time in October after sitting idle for a few months.
Thorough furnace cleaning and duct cleaning before the fall and winter chill sets in can help prevent such unwanted odors.
You’ll also have the peace of mind of knowing that your furnace is set for the long winter ahead.
How Do I Know If I Need Duct Cleaning?
Ductwork is hidden and most homeowners rarely give it a second thought. The tell-tale signs that you may need duct cleaning in your home include:
What to Expect From the Duct Cleaning Process
When an HVAC professional visits your home for duct cleaning, it helps to know what to expect.
Duct cleaning provides a deep clean of the ducts themselves, plus the registers and grilles. The service may also include a deep clean of other HVAC equipment, such as heat exchangers, cooling coils, fan motors, the air handling unit, etc.
Here’s the standard process:
The solid design of the steel ductwork used in most Calgary homes is good news for cleaning because it can withstand the high-pressure “scrubbing” tools (like air whips) used by duct cleaning professionals, without tearing.
FAQs
Stop Recycling Dust!
Most homeowners are surprised by how “impure” the air inside their home is after an indoor air quality test.
Duct cleaning stops your home from simply recycling dust, positively impacting health, home hygiene, energy efficiency, system longevity, and monthly bills, especially if you haven’t booked a clean for several years.
Ignoring your ductwork can cause respiratory and health problems, HVAC inefficiency, higher bills, unwanted odors in the home, an unsanitary environment, and even safety hazards.
If you’re in Calgary and considering duct cleaning, contact us online to book a callout. All HVAC professionals at Alberta Mountain Air are SAIT-certified and can help you make the right heating, cooling, and indoor air quality decisions.
