When your heating system is prepared for the chilly Indianapolis winter, it will run more safely and efficiently as well as keep you more comfortable. Cleaning your heat vents should be part of that preparation.
Clean Vents Mean Better Performance
Air supply and return vents can attract quite a bit of dust and debris in just one season. When this debris builds up to a certain point it starts to break free and float back into your air again. The resulting increased contaminant load reduces your indoor air quality. It’s even worse in winter when your home is closed up tight.
This debris can also make its way into your system’s components, such as the motor and heat exchanger. When these components become dirty, they’re less efficient and suffer unnecessary wear.
How to Clean Your Heat Vents
Turn your heating and cooling system off. Vacuum around and over the vents to pick up as much dust as you can. Remove the screws holding in the vent and take out the vent. When removing a ceiling vent, lay newspaper on the floor under it and wear a brimmed hat to protect your eyes.
Check inside the duct behind the vent to remove anything that might have fallen in, such as pens or kids’ toys. With your vacuum’s hose attachment, clean out the inside of the duct.
Mix up a bucket of warm, soapy water and use this and a sponge to wipe down the vent. Take care to clean between the slats. If the vent is especially grimy, you can soak it a few minutes in hot water. Don’t add soap because prolonged exposure to soap could damage the paint.
For a vent you can’t remove, run you vacuum’s crevice tool over the slats to remove loose dust. Then use a microfiber cloth or duster to pick up the rest.
Could you use some help preparing your heat vents or the rest of your system for winter? If so, contact us at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing in the Indianapolis area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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