Dust is an inevitable enemy in any Warner Robins, Georgia, home. Those tiny particles are impossible to eliminate completely. Dust buildup is more than a housecleaning hassle. It can have a noticeable impact on your heating and cooling efficiency.
Though it’s easy to overlook the impact that dust is having on your HVAC system, this isn’t something you should ignore. If you have problems with dust in your house, you probably have issues with dust buildup elsewhere. Addressing the dust in your HVAC system will help you enjoy more efficient and affordable operation.
Clogged Ductwork
Dirty ducts typically have a significant buildup of dust and debris along the walls. You don’t see inside your ducts very often, so it’s easy to overlook this problem. However, filthy ductwork will have a negative impact on your HVAC efficiency.
Your heating and cooling units are responsible for pushing air through those ducts. If the ducts are not clear, there’s less space to work with, so your system will have to work harder to do its job. Dusty ducts are often a sign of other issues with your ductwork as well. Excessive dust buildup is a good indicator that your ducts are pulling air in from some place they shouldn’t.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 20 to 30 percent of the air that moves through a home’s ductwork is lost through holes, leaks, and poor connections. These openings in the ductwork don’t just let air out. They also let dust, dirt, and allergens in. Plan on cleaning and sealing your ductwork at the same time. This will get rid of existing dust and help prevent new dust from immediately making a home in your system.
Slow Airflow Through the Filter
If you have a quality air filter, most of the dust in your HVAC system should stop here. This is why it’s important to know what type of filter you’re working with. HVAC filters have MERV ratings that indicate their effectiveness. The higher the MERV rating, the smaller the particles that a filter will stop.
Most residential air conditioner filters have a MERV rating between 5 and 9. If you have asthma or allergy sufferers in your home, a rating of 11 or 12 is ideal. If you’re noticing a lot of dust in the air, your filter is the first thing you should look at. If it’s visibly dirty or you haven’t changed the filter in the last three months, it’s time for a swap. A dirty air filter will slow airflow and minimize your system’s efficiency.
What if the brand-new air filter still isn’t doing the job? It may be time to consider a more advanced filtration system. We offer several options including the Infinity Air Purifier GAPA and Performance Air Purifier PGAP. These filters fit directly in your HVAC system to continuously filter the air that’s circulating through your home.
Dirty Essential HVAC Components
Dust doesn’t just build up on your bookshelves and table tops. It will settle anywhere it can find a surface. This includes the components of your HVAC system. Dust can build up inside your heating and cooling units, dirtying the internal parts and hampering efficient function. A dirty system can’t function as well as one that’s clean and well cared for.
Fortunately, cleaning the inside of your HVAC system isn’t something that you have to do yourself. Simply schedule your annual maintenance visits with Pruett Air Conditioning, and we’ll do the work for you. You should have a heating tuneup in the fall and an air conditioner tuneup in spring. During these regular visits, our technicians will thoroughly clean and inspect your units to make sure they’re not clogged with dust. A well-maintained system will operate at the best efficiency level possible.
If you’re concerned about excessive dust in your home, Pruett Air Conditioning can help. Just give us a call at 478-953-4986 to schedule HVAC maintenance, book duct cleaning services, or discuss your options for a new advanced filtration system.
Image provided by Shutterstock