A DIY Guide on How To Clean Air Ducts Yourself in Bedford, IN

Figuring out how to clean AC ducts yourself can be a challenging job. You may be able to tackle it successfully if you have the right equipment and access to great HVAC services in Bedford, IN, as a backup. Either way, as the guide shares below, air duct cleaning is an essential step in your HVAC maintenance process.

Why Clean the Ducts At All?

Before we get into how, let’s look at why cleaning air ducts is so important. For instance, Bedford, Indiana, tends to have high levels of pollen in the air, which can lead to greater levels of contaminants in the ductwork. Regular cleaning also ensures mold prevention. 

Bedford, Indiana, also experiences all four seasons, with temperatures ranging from single digits to near triple digits. You could run your air conditioner and furnace for much of the year. With more air moving through the ducts, dust and debris accumulation increases, and you’ll have to clean the channels more often.

Here’s how to clean AC ducts.

Collect the Tools You’ll Need for Cleaning Air Ducts Yourself in Bedford, Indiana

Do you need air duct cleaning? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends periodic cleaning to maximize the performance of your HVAC system. As far as the process goes, learning how to clean AC ducts has some similarities to dryer vent cleaning. However, you will need to have the right DIY cleaning tools on hand, such as:

• Eye protection
• Breathing mask
• Step ladder or step stool
• Screwdriver
• Paper towels
• Microfiber cloth
• New toilet brush
• Cleansing spray
• Vacuum with a long hose
• Fresh HVAC air filter

If you don’t have the right tools, this duct cleaning process will be tricky, so you’ll want to buy, borrow, or rent any tools you don’t own. If you’re lacking one or two items, it’s better to reach out to local HVAC technicians like Complete Comfort Heating, A/C & Plumbing Repair to clean the vents for you.

Remove the Vent Covers and Block the Openings

Learning how to clean AC ducts starts with a simple tool: use a screwdriver to remove the coverings to the vents around your home. As you remove each vent, place a couple of sheets of paper towels over the opening to hold the dust inside. Otherwise, using the vacuum and brush in one area could disturb dust from the other open vents and let it into your home.

After removing the vents, wipe them down with a cleansing spray. Use paper towels to clean dust from both sides or run them through a dishwasher (if they’re compatible).

Turn On the Thermostat’s Fan Setting

After taking off all the vent covers, turn your thermostat’s setting to Fan Only mode. Do not run either the cooling or heating modes during the cleaning process. 

By leaving the fan on, the air movement will loosen dust from inside the vents. The airflow simplifies your duct cleaning work.

Use a Vacuum Hose for Dust and Debris Removal

One key tool for how to clean AC ducts is a portable vacuum with a long hose. Some people will use a shop vacuum.

• Go to the first vent opening.
• Move the paper towel aside. 
• Use the toilet brush to scrape the interior of the vents as far as you can reach. 
• Tap the exterior of the ductwork to loosen every bit of dirt.
• Use the vacuum to suck up the loosened dust. 
• Push the hose as far inside the duct as you can. Move it slowly.
• Finally, replace the vent.

Humidity levels can be high during summer in Bedford, Indiana. Is there mold growth in the ducts? As a failsafe, use the brush to scrape the sides and dislodge mold spores before you vacuum.

Perform the Finishing Touches on the Ducts

Are all vent openings clean? Reinstall the cleaned vent covers. Now, reset the thermostat to heating or cooling mode. 

When cleaning your ducts yourself, you might also want to replace the unit’s air filter.