SPS Mechanical Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Duct Cleaning’

4 Signs It’s Time for a Duct Inspection

Monday, March 11th, 2019

duct-sealing“Duct services” isn’t something that we mark on our calendars and count down toward. In fact, if your HVAC system is relatively new, there’s really no need to think of it except on an as-needed basis.

However, once your HVAC system starts to take on a few years, it’s not a bad idea to have your ducts inspected annually. As you’re about to learn, issues in the ducts can contribute to some major inefficiencies and comfort issues in your home. Learning to recognize when you need duct services can do a lot of good in helping you stay comfortable and improve your HVAC energy savings.

Here are four signs that you should schedule an inspection of your ducts:

Continue Reading

Duct Services (And How Not to Perform Them)

Monday, December 3rd, 2018

duct-cleaning-brushIf there’s any part of your HVAC system that’s consistently forgotten about—aside from the air filter—it would have to be the duct system. Yet, the ducts provide one of the most essential functions of the entire HVAC system: they circulate the air through your home!

Likewise, those ducts need just as much professional attention as any other part of your HVAC system. And we really do mean a professional! In this post, we’ll explain why you need duct services from an expert of HVAC and energy savings in Deptford Township.

Continue Reading

Improve Your Health with Duct Cleaning This Winter

Monday, February 1st, 2016

When was the last time you thought about the ducts in your home? Probably not very often, which is no surprise. Most homeowners don’t give a lot of thought to their ducts, primarily because they don’t demand a lot of attention. Ducts are designed to be unobtrusive, and as a result they often get neglected. Ducts need certain professional services in order to operate to their full potential, though, and without them you’re going to run into problems. Let’s take a look at one of those professional services, duct cleaning, and how it can help you.

Continue Reading

How Often Is Duct Cleaning Necessary?

Tuesday, January 20th, 2015

Sadly, if you asked most homeowners this question they’d likely respond “never.” This couldn’t be further from the truth. Ducts are very vulnerable to a number of different problems that can and will occur without proper cleaning at least once every two or three years. Let’s examine those problems that can affect your ducts, and how duct cleaning can solve for them.

Airborne Pollutants

The air inside your home is actually full of microscopic particles. Not all of these particulates are harmful, but there are more than a few varieties that can be. Dust and pollen, along with insect dander, are lung irritants that can set off allergy attacks in people. Also common are several forms of viruses and bacteria, which can infect and sicken people who are exposed to them. Mold spores are also present fairly often, which can cause illness. These pollutants have an ideal habitat inside your ducts, as they are dark and often undisturbed by the occupants of the house. They build up over time until your heater or air conditioning system is turned on, at which point all those pollutants are blown out of the vents and circulated throughout your house.

Duct Cleaning

Duct cleaning is conducted to remove these airborne pollutants from your home, to increase your indoor air quality. Depending on the type of ducts, the HVAC technician can either suck the debris out of them with a special vacuum or brush them out with a set of brushes. Once the ducts are sufficiently cleaned, a chemical solution is occasionally applied to kill off any remaining germs or other biological contaminants.

Duct cleaning is often paired with duct sealing, to make sure that the ducts are both clear and properly insulated. The average forced air heating system loses about 30% of its heat to leaks in the ductwork, so it’s quite important to seal any leaks that are found during the cleaning process.

If you haven’t had your ducts cleaned in a few years, schedule an appointment today with SPS Mechanical Inc. and let us take care of it. We provide professional duct cleaning services throughout the Cherry Hill area.

Continue Reading

Why Should I Schedule a Ductwork Inspection?

Wednesday, August 27th, 2014

Without your ductwork, there is no delivery of cool (or warm) air to your home. And with faulty ductwork, the air delivery can be compromised. Because your ductwork lives behind walls, in attics and through crawlspaces, it can be easy to forget about it. Unfortunately, like other parts of your air conditioning system, your ductwork can develop holes and cracks, and sections can become damaged and disconnect. One of the best ways to avoid large problems with your ductwork is to schedule an annual inspection with your annual maintenance appointment. And should you need duct cleanings service for your Mullica Hill property, SPS Mechanical, Inc., has the professionals to get it done.

What Is a Ductwork Inspection?

A ductwork inspection can be a thorough visual inspection, in which camera equipment is used to inspect the entirety of your ductwork for problems; an inspection can also consist of testing your ductwork for leaks, which is a much more precise process that determines exactly what ducts may be leaking air.

How Is Duct Testing Done?

There are two ways in which duct testing can be done: the pressurized subtraction method and the duct testing method. With the pressurized subtraction method, a high-powered fan is set up in a doorway and connected to pressure gauges. Your entire space is then pressurized with the fan, first with the ducts open, then with the ducts closed, to help determine where air leaks may exist.

The duct testing method uses a calibrated fan to gently pressurize the ducts. While it does this, gauges measure the airflow through the ducts to determine if there are leaks, and if so, measures the leakage. Instead of a large, high-powered fan, the duct testing method utilizes a smaller portable fan with calibrated digital pressure gauges that connect to the blower of your indoor air handler. All ducts are sealed for the test and the fan is turned on to pressurize the system. The gauges tell what the pressure is, and if the pressure is found to be outside acceptable limits, repair and/or sealing of the ducts will most likely be recommended.

Why Schedule a Ductwork Inspection?

Your ductwork is an integral part of your air conditioning system. Problems from your ductwork can decrease energy efficiency and indoor air quality, as well as stress your AC system. Scheduling a duct inspection can help determine whether or not you need duct cleaning or repair in Mullica Hill. Have questions? Call SPS Mechanical, Inc., today and schedule an appointment with one of our experts.

Continue Reading

How Professionals Perform Duct Cleaning

Wednesday, August 13th, 2014

In order for your air conditioning and forced-air heating system to work their best, they need to have clean “lungs,” i.e. air ducts. Even a thin layer of dust along the inside of ductwork can create friction against the movement of air that will cause your comfort system to start to work harder. This increased strain will lead to higher utility bills and greater wear and tear. Your ducts will probably need cleaning every other year, although sometimes more frequently depending on how much contamination enters the ductwork.

To clean ducts requires the work of specialists with professional-grade equipment. You cannot do the work on your own using a vacuum with a long hose. Call a company like SPS Mechanical Inc. to handle this job. We will not only take care of your duct cleaning in Cherry Hill, NJ, we can perform duct testing and inspections to see that your ducts aren’t suffering from leaks or defects that will increase the contamination inside them.

The Professional Method of Duct Cleaning

The way that trained duct cleaners do their job is through the use of power vacuums and agitation equipment. Sometimes, they will also use non-toxic sanitizers and deodorizers.

The main part of duct cleaning involves changing the pressure throughout the ventilation system. The technicians seal off all the vents in the house, then attach a large power vacuum to the duct that exits from the indoor air conditioner/heater cabinet. The vacuum places the ventilation under “negative pressure” that causes the pollutants like dust, dander, dirt, and other debris to loosen from the ductwork walls, making them easier for the vacuum to suction up.

To attack dirt in specific areas, the duct cleaners will open up the registers and insert long vacuum hoses with rotary brushes attached. The action of these brushes dislodges particles from the duct walls without damaging the ductwork material and allows for easy removal.

Once the technicians have finished a thorough cleaning (which should take only a few hours and offer minimal disruption to your daily activities), they will reconnect the heater and air conditioner and reactivate the HVAC system.

Duct Cleaning is Beneficial for Household Health As Well

The cleaning job described above will not only help you maintain an efficient air conditioner and heater, but it will improve the indoor air quality of your home. Duct cleaning eliminates many particles that will trigger asthma and allergy attacks. If you live in a home with people who suffer from asthma and allergies, you need to make duct cleaning an important regular (probably annual) service. Significant contamination build-up will also begin to affect people without health conditions, and lead to a generally unpleasant environment.

SPS Mechanical Inc. offers top-quality duct cleaning service in Cherry Hill, NJ to see that you have a healthy HVAC system and healthy indoor air. Give us a call today to schedule your next service appointment.

Continue Reading

3 Benefits of Duct Cleaning

Friday, June 20th, 2014

Your air ducts are the delivery system for your air conditioner’s cool air. Just as dust and dirt can create problems with the indoor and outdoor units of your air conditioner, they can also create problems with your air ducts. This is one of several reasons why it is so important to have your air ducts cleaned thoroughly by a professional. Do you know the last time your air ducts were thoroughly cleaned? If not, here are 3 reasons to consider having SPS Mechanical handle your duct cleaning service in Glassboro, NJ:

Indoor Air Quality

Your air conditioner cools the air by taking the warm air in your home and returning it as cool, dry air. In order to do this, your air conditioner pulls air from your property into the system. The air in your home can contain dust, dirt, pet dander, and other microbes that are floating around. This debris can deposit in your system, often in the air ducts. If the ducts aren’t cleaned, these items will build up, creating a layer of dust, dirt and other things that get transported back into your home, compromising the air quality.

Equipment Life

Excessive build-up can restrict the airflow in your system, causing it to work harder to achieve the set temperature. Once your air conditioner is stressed, the  premature aging follows, along with the potential for earlier breakdown.

Energy Efficiency

If your air conditioner is struggling because of excessive dust and dirt build-up in the vents, it will need to use more electricity to do its job. By keeping your air conditioning vents clean, you can help increase the airflow, reducing your air conditioner’s use of energy.

Clean Your Ducts for Summer

Summertime is upon us, and your air conditioner is about to run full-time for the season – are your ducts ready, too? Don’t compromise your indoor air quality, your air conditioner or your monthly utility bills because of dirty air ducts. Call SPS Mechanical, Inc., today, and schedule your next duct cleaning with one of our HVAC experts in Glassboro, NJ.

Continue Reading

Can Duct Cleaning Improve My HVAC System in Cherry Hill, NJ?

Monday, September 16th, 2013

When it comes to the system of ducts that distributes hot or cool air from your HVAC system to your house, out of sight really can be out of mind. Unfortunately, when dust and dirt build up in your ductwork, it can impact the efficiency of the whole HVAC system. That’s a problem in Cherry Hill, NJ during our hot, humid summers.

Dirt and dust can build up in your ducts as a matter of course. Leaks or breaches in the ductwork can cause an influx of particles, as can dust or debris from inside the HVAC system itself. A thorough cleaning of the ducts will take care of the dirt, as can routine maintenance on the system itself.

When you schedule duct cleaning, make sure you hire a qualified professional. They will make sure the process covers the entire duct system, including vents and grills if possible. More importantly, the specialist will hunt down the source of the dirt and dust – such as cracks in the ductwork – and correct it. Otherwise, the cleaning merely delays the inevitable, as dust and debris will son build up again.

Luckily, the results will speak for themselves. Not only will a duct cleaning improve the quality of your indoor air, but the increased air flow allows your HVAC system to function more efficiently, saving you money with your monthly energy bills. If the time has come for a duct cleaning in your household, trust the job to SPS Mechanical. We pride ourselves on absolute customer satisfaction and have the know-how to do the job right. Our technicians serve the whole of Cherry Hill, NJ, so don’t hesitate to call us!

Continue Reading

Can Duct Cleaning Benefit My Air Conditioning?

Monday, May 20th, 2013

Duct cleaning can benefit your air conditioning system. Your central air conditioning system depends on the cooperation of its components: your compressor pump pressurizes the refrigerant, the evaporator coil absorbs the indoor thermal energy, the condenser coil and exhaust fan dissipate the heat outside. Your ductwork is an essential part of this system that distributes the air conditioned air throughout your home. Cleaning your ducts can be just as important as replacing your air filter, or keeping your coils free of dust and debris. In this post, we’d like to show you the beneficial impact that duct cleaning can have on your AC. For air conditioning services in Swedesboro, NJ, call SPS Mechanical today!

  • Performance: The performance of your AC depends upon the cleanliness of the ductwork. Dirty and dust-filled ductwork can account for significant airflow loss, which can severely impact your system’s ability to cool your home effectively.
  • Comfort: The cleanliness of your ductwork can dramatically affect your comfort. Not only in terms of keeping cool—although that is important—but also in terms of your indoor air quality. Dust, pollen, dander, and mold are common inhabitants of neglected air ducts. Duct cleaning allows you to get rid of such noxious particles on a regular basis. If you’re particularly sensitive to allergens, you should consider installing an air filtration unit in your cooling system.
  • Energy-efficiency: Your AC has a SEER number, which stands for its Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This estimate seeks to measure the mathematical ratio between electrical energy input and cooling output in terms of an entire cooling season. While it’s only an estimate, it is important consideration for energy efficiency.  No matter how efficient your AC is, if it is not paired with excellent ductwork, it will never realize its full potential. Ducts that leak or that are circulating dirt that clog your AC’s filter can have a big impact on energy efficiency.

Duct cleaning is important to the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. Make sure you aren’t holding your AC unit back with neglected ductwork. Call the experts at SPS Mechanical for air conditioning in Swedesboro, NJ today!

Continue Reading

HVAC Tip: Don’t Forget Your Ductwork

Monday, April 15th, 2013

Spring is the season of organizing your closet, cleaning out the garage, and repainting the bathroom. But many homeowners overlook that spring cleaning should also extend to their ductwork. After all, ductwork is responsible for both the efficient transmission of hot and cold air all year long, and can have a major impact on the indoor air quality of your home. Duct cleaning is a great way to improve the quality of your home as you prepare for the cooling season. This is especially true if you have allergies or respiratory issues like asthma. Fortunately, your Sicklerville, NJ duct cleaning experts are here to help you spring clean this year. Call SPS Mechanical today!

Comprehensive duct cleaning has a wide range of benefits, from improving energy efficiency to boosting air quality. Let’s take a look at a few of them:

  • Improved energy efficiency. Making sure that air passes through your ducts quickly and without obstruction is a great way to make your system more efficient. Even small amounts of dust and other debris can cause large reductions in cooling performance.
  • Improved air quality. As the intermediary between you and your heating and cooling systems, your ductwork is the last surface your air touches before it’s blown through the registers. As such, you depend on its cleanliness to delivery not only temperature-controlled air, but also conditioned and filtered air. When your ductwork becomes dirty, it exacerbates pollutants by making them airborne.
  • Reduce microbial growth. If you have high humidity conditions in your home, your ductwork may be prone to microbial growth, such as mold. Mold is a health hazard and tends to spread rapidly given the right conditions. Duct cleaning is a great way to eliminate pollutants and infestations.
  • Increase system life. When dust and debris get into mechanical parts, they tend to impede their effectiveness. Reducing the amount of debris in your ductwork improves the longevity of your entire heating and cooling system.

Along with duct cleaning, duct inspection and testing are excellent ways to make sure that your air is reaching you quickly. For comprehensive duct cleaning in Sicklerville, NJ, call SPS Mechanical today! 

Continue Reading