Are you ready to take your love for your HVAC registers to the next level? It’s time to say goodbye to dusty air vents and hello to fresh, clean air that will make you fall head over heels with your HVAC system all over again. Jokes aside, as your local heating and cooling professionals, Kettering-Oakwood Heating & Air is here to show you all the cleaning care tips you need to know to maintain your HVAC registers. This short but ultimate guide will help you keep a cozy home atmosphere and unlock the secret to boosting your home’s functionality and harmony just by showing a little love to one often overlooked component of your HVAC system – the registers!
WHY PRIORITIZE THEM?
Regular cleaning and maintenance of your HVAC registers is necessary for various reasons. Number one is that it improves the overall efficiency of your system, helping it to function properly and effectively. Next, clean registers keep your indoor air quality raised by preventing dust, allergens, and other particles from circulating around your home. Poor IAQ can cause many adverse symptoms, such as eye and nose irritation and even other serious respiratory issues. When you routinely devote time to cleaning your registers, you are promoting a healthier living environment for you and your family – not to mention you are also helping your HVAC system to work as it is intended to.
WHEN SHOULD I CONTACT A PROFESSIONAL?
Before we dive into the cleaning regimen, let’s point out when it is time to bring in the professionals. As a responsible homeowner, knowing when to seek professional help for your home is a must! While regular cleaning of your registers is necessary, there are a couple of signs that indicate you need the expertise of a professional. The first one is that if you notice mold growth on or around your registers while cleaning, you should call a mold professional immediately. Mold not only threatens your family’s health but can also spread quickly and cause further damage to your home. In addition, if you recognize an amount of excessive dust buildup on your registers, it’s always a wise idea to consult an HVAC professional. Naturally, some dust accumulation is expected. However, an unusual amount of dust building up may mean there is an underlying issue with your system or ductwork that requires a professional diagnosis.
WHAT CLEANING ITEMS DO I NEED?
Don’t be daunted; cleaning your HVAC registers is a straightforward task that requires only a few basic materials:
- A screwdriver (if necessary to remove the registers)
- Warm water and dish soap
- Microfiber cloth or other soft rag
- Vacuum cleaner with cleaning attachments
HOW DO I CLEAN MY HVAC REGISTERS?
Now that you have all the necessary cleaning items, let’s start this cleaning party. You’ll want to first remove any loose dust and debris from your registers using the vacuum cleaner and a brush or narrow nozzle attachment. If you are able to, take off the registers from the vent opening for easier access. (This is where the screwdriver may come in handy, although you may not need it.) Then, initiate the dust removal by the attachment on your vacuum to clean out any excess dust or debris on or in between the grilles of the register. (If you did remove the registers, gently vacuum out the opening of the vent.) But be careful not to vacuum down into the ductwork, as this is a job best left to trained professionals.
Next, you’ll want to focus your attention on cleaning the registers themselves. If they were removed, you can soak them in warm water and dish soap for a thorough cleaning. If they were not removed, or perhaps they only require a light cleaning, simply use a dampened rag with warm water and dish soap to wipe them down. Be careful not to soak the cloth, as you definitely do not want excess water dripping into the ductwork! Once your registers are clean, make sure to dry them before placing them back.
Voila! You got the job done! Cleaning your HVAC registers is a fairly simple and easy process, which makes it that much more feasible to add this aspect of your home to your overall cleaning schedule. With regular maintenance, you’ll reap the benefits of improved air quality and a healthier living environment for you, your family, and, of course, your HVAC system!
Call Kettering-Oakwood Heating & Air today at (937) 502-3842 or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
