The Benefits of Professional Air Duct Cleaning

There are parts of our homes that we just don’t ever see (unless you go looking for them). But the “out of sight, out of mind” philosophy doesn’t always work when it comes to prolonging the life of your home’s mechanical systems, and major appliances, and maintaining air quality. The build-up of dirt, dust and lint in these systems can result in major (and costly!) issues if left to worsen year over year. The relatively small cost of air duct cleaning can end up saving you thousands of dollars by avoiding early replacement of appliances like an air exchanger or dryer. It will even have the added benefit of improving your home air quality and potentially reducing your electric bill!

  1. What ducts and vents are in my home?
  2. Can I clean my own ductwork?
  3. What are the benefits of professional vent and duct cleaning?
  4. What other systems should be cleaned?

What ducts and vents are in my home?

Depending on the age of your home and the heating system it uses, the ductwork in your home will be different. However, the two most common systems in a home in New Brunswick are the air exchanger and the clothes dryer vent.

Exterior intake vent on a home in Fredericton, New Brunswick

The air exchanger system is responsible for exhausting stale air from inside your home and bringing in fresh air from the outside. You may have a slightly different type in your home called an HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) that helps maintain an in-home temperature by pre-treating the air entering your home by heating or cooling it first (depending on the season!). It might not be top-of-mind as we live our day-to-day lives, but the quality of the air inside our homes is a very important part of maintaining a happy and healthy home!

The most common ductwork in any home is for your clothes dryer. Ideally, this is as short as possible with few bends before exiting your home. This is how the hot air moving through your dryer escapes and can directly affect the efficiency of your appliance if the airflow is interrupted. Typically, lint that your lint guard doesn’t catch is the biggest culprit. A slow and steady build-up over time can result in a full blockage in the worst cases which can be a fire hazard. So, if you notice your clothes are taking longer than usual to dry, it might be time to get the duct clean!

Can I clean my own ductwork?

You can buy many products online or in local hardware stores designed specifically for at-home, DIY duct cleaning. Some claim it’s as easy as attaching their product to your electric drill and inserting it into the vent. For some homes this may be the case, however, few homes have ductwork that is simple enough to use these products. A short, straight laundry vent could be cleaned using these tools, but it’s rare to not have a couple of bends in your system.

Rotobrush tool used for cleaning household ductwork

Air exchanger ductwork is even more complicated. Each room in your home will have a vent in the ceiling that connects to the central air exchanger unit. That’s a lot of ductwork to clean without the proper tools and knowledge of how the system works! Beyond the ductwork, there is also the issue of cleaning the air exchanger unit itself – another task that is more complicated than it seems!

What are the benefits of professional vent and duct cleaning?

The best solution is simple: hire a professional company like AAA Vent Cleaning to ensure your home ductwork and vents are cleaned properly for peace of mind that your home air quality is improved and your appliances are functioning at their best.


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AAA Vent Cleaning cleaning a vent in a home in New Brunswick

The DIY products won’t have the same impact as the professional equipment can – just look at the size of that machine! Their expertise and knowledge of how a home works and the best ways to tackle the project ensure a thorough, reliable result.

What other systems should be cleaned?

There are step-by-step guides published online on how to best clean your air exchanger unit. It’s an important piece of maintaining your home and can be done by the homeowner with few tools. Cleaning some vents, wiping out the unit, washing the core, and putting it all back together!

AAA Vent Cleaning cleaning and air exchanger unit in New Brunswick

The professional touch offered by companies like AAA Vent Cleaning is a step beyond what the typical homeowner is capable of. Tasks like scraping the vent fans to remove build-up that was adding extra weight and strain on the system… who knew!? The knowledge of how the unit works and the time spent cleaning similar units ensures a deeper cleaning and peace of mind that the unit is functioning properly (and that all the pieces are reconnected properly!).

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