What are the benefits of having heating vents professionally cleaned? Does it make the furnace more efficient?
I’m thinking of getting my vents professionally cleaned but want to know if anyone has experience with it and has seen real results. In our house some rooms are warmer than others, I don’t know if it’s just the location and number of windows or if dust in the heating vents could be causing blocked or uneven distribution. Would the furnace run more efficiently with clean vents? The house was built in 1952, as far as we know the vents have never been cleaned. I also have allergies to dust and thought cleaning them might help that too.
The vent cleaning can definitely help with dust and allergens also dead insect carcasses etc. In most cases a good maintenance person should be able to find any holes or blocked spots in your venting which can result in wasted heat or cooling.
You also have to understand that the sytem in your house from 1052 is not a very efficient furnace or distribution system. Modern furnaces run in the 90 % efficiency range and have very high tech ducting systems most of which are now insulated.
If you are looking for cleaner air distribution it is a great idea if you are looking to get a great boost out of your heating units efficiency Iwould not be holding my breath.
Cleaning your vents of dust won’t change the efficiency of the furnace system.
Airflow determines the efficiency of a ducting system. Not only do you need good flow in the hot air pipes, but you also need a path for the cool air to return to the furnace.
Some vent pipes have dampers installed inside. They can be located anywhere along the pipe and is evident by a small ‘handle’ on the outside of the pipe. Be sure these are open.
Sometimes in older homes, the basement areas are finished and the vent dampers are concealed.
Basements in older homes were never designed to be finished. The furnace system should be re-engineered if the basement is to be developed into finished spaces.