Maintaining Your Home Ventilation System
At first, catch phrases like ventilation maintenance, changing filters and air quality control seem intimidating, especially when used in the same sentence as 'do it yourself'.
But in fact there are some very simple ways to improve the ventilation and safety of your residence by changing or cleaning filters.
You will notice a significant change in your electricity and gas bills at the end of each month by following these few home maintenance tips.
Another perk of following these tips is that you may also notice a drop in your water consumption (for homes that use water cooling systems) as well as a reduction in the amount of noise that your ventilation system creates.
Start by checking the larger air vents in your home.
These are generally found on the ceiling or out of direct line of vision.
Open up the doors and remove the air filters.
This should be a very easy task as most of the doors are hinged and the filters pop in and out with little effort.
The easiest way to clean these filters is to run hot water over them in your kitchen sink.
You may need to scrub lightly with a kitchen sponge or an old tooth brush.
These filters are the first defense for you, capturing dust, pollen, animal hair and any other large particulates in the air.
Every few years you will want to replace these filters to improve their efficiency.
You will also want to clean out your main ventilation system.
Maintaining the unit involves a deeper cleaning but the basics can be done by you.
Again, clean the filters and check for any visible leaks, cracks, or anything that is obviously wrong with the machine.
This unit filters bacteria, viruses, pesticides, mold and just about any other contaminates you do not want in your home.
Even though you want to clean it yourself regularly, it is also very important to have this unit professionally cleaned every year to every five years.
These professionals will check the insulation, professionally clean your air duct system, degrease the ducts and ensure there are not leaks, cracks or ruptures in your system.
An efficiently running air ventilation system will also help maintain and control the humidity in your home, thus helping control the growth of mold or condensation throughout the home.
These units should last anywhere from ten to twenty years or even more if well maintained.
If you are uncomfortable doing any of the above maintenance tips, you can always hire a professional contractor to come in and do these things for you.
The price tag on this may be higher than doing it yourself, but you will sleep better at night knowing that your home is a safer and healthier environment to live in.
But in fact there are some very simple ways to improve the ventilation and safety of your residence by changing or cleaning filters.
You will notice a significant change in your electricity and gas bills at the end of each month by following these few home maintenance tips.
Another perk of following these tips is that you may also notice a drop in your water consumption (for homes that use water cooling systems) as well as a reduction in the amount of noise that your ventilation system creates.
Start by checking the larger air vents in your home.
These are generally found on the ceiling or out of direct line of vision.
Open up the doors and remove the air filters.
This should be a very easy task as most of the doors are hinged and the filters pop in and out with little effort.
The easiest way to clean these filters is to run hot water over them in your kitchen sink.
You may need to scrub lightly with a kitchen sponge or an old tooth brush.
These filters are the first defense for you, capturing dust, pollen, animal hair and any other large particulates in the air.
Every few years you will want to replace these filters to improve their efficiency.
You will also want to clean out your main ventilation system.
Maintaining the unit involves a deeper cleaning but the basics can be done by you.
Again, clean the filters and check for any visible leaks, cracks, or anything that is obviously wrong with the machine.
This unit filters bacteria, viruses, pesticides, mold and just about any other contaminates you do not want in your home.
Even though you want to clean it yourself regularly, it is also very important to have this unit professionally cleaned every year to every five years.
These professionals will check the insulation, professionally clean your air duct system, degrease the ducts and ensure there are not leaks, cracks or ruptures in your system.
An efficiently running air ventilation system will also help maintain and control the humidity in your home, thus helping control the growth of mold or condensation throughout the home.
These units should last anywhere from ten to twenty years or even more if well maintained.
If you are uncomfortable doing any of the above maintenance tips, you can always hire a professional contractor to come in and do these things for you.
The price tag on this may be higher than doing it yourself, but you will sleep better at night knowing that your home is a safer and healthier environment to live in.
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