Furnace & Air Duct Tips

Duct cleaning is messy regardless of how cautious a technician is of doing the job. Preliminary precautions are critical to minimizing the mess involved. At OAB we use tarps and vent covers along with other supplies to help mitigate the amount of dust that escapes during the cleaning process.

You should have your HVAC unit cleaned on an annual basis. However in between annual visits you should be ensuring the area around your unit is kept clean and free from leaves, grass and other debris.  In addition you can take a garden hose and spray the fins of the air conditioner to keep the air flowing freely through the fins.  Doing this small bit of cleaning will help the efficiency and reliability of your HVAC unit when you need it the most.

The MERV rating was designed to rate air filters by effectiveness. It is an abbreviation for  Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value.  On a scale of 1 to 20, the higher the MERV rating, the more efficient a filter will be at capturing airborne particles such as dust, pollen, and mold. A filter within MERV 7 to MERV 13 is actually good enough to maintain healthy air quality in commercial and residential buildings. However, in environments such as the hospital or in homes of people with respiratory conditions or severe allergies using filters with ratings higher than MERV 13 is more beneficial.

The gap between your metal ductwork and the drywall of your floor or ceiling is a major source of energy loss. OAB: Sealing these gaps with professional-grade caulk or foil tape prevents conditioned air from escaping into your walls, significantly lowering your utility bills and improving room-to-noise insulation.

In the winter, snow, ice, or bird nests can block the plastic or metal exhaust pipes leading out of your home. A blocked exhaust will cause your furnace to shut down or leak dangerous gases inward, so perform a quick visual check of your exterior vents once a month.

Most modern AC units have a "backup" drain line that drips outside near a window or door if the main line is clogged. If you see water dripping from a pipe high up on an exterior wall, it’s a signal that your primary line is blocked and needs professional attention before it causes a ceiling leak.

Over time, the ground beneath your outdoor AC unit can shift, causing the pad to tilt. OAB: Keeping your condenser perfectly level ensures that the oil inside the compressor stays distributed correctly, which prevents premature motor failure and keeps your system running quietly.

If your furnace or AC turns on and off every few minutes without reaching the set temperature, it is likely "short cycling." This puts immense strain on the motor and electrical components; identifying this early can save you from a total system blowout during extreme weather.

Ducts running through unconditioned spaces like attics or crawlspaces lose significant heat or cooling before the air ever reaches your rooms. OAB: Adding high-quality insulation to these exposed pipes prevents "thermal loss," ensuring your furnace doesn't have to work overtime to keep your living space comfortable.

Duct cleaning takes two to five hours, depending on the size of the HVAC system, the type of ventilation used, and your level of contamination. This time frame includes cleaning the ducts, the blower compartment, the return and supply-side, and the blower wheel.

OAB advises that you should schedule HVAC and furnace cleaning maintenance every 1-2 years (ideally once a year) and duct cleaning at intervals of 3 to 5 years for a smooth-running system and excellent indoor air quality.

Living with dogs, cats, rabbits, and other animals inside your house can also mean living with fur, dander, and dirt, as well. This is bad news for your air ducts, which can become clogged and contaminated with the extra debris.  Make sure to bathe and brush your pet often to minimize the dirt, dander, and other allergens that can infiltrate your home. You should also take care to vacuum carpets, sweep and mop floors, and dust your furniture on a regular basis.

Does your thermostat setting seem to match the temperature of the house? If your thermostat is not functioning properly, your furnace will not be able to work as it should and your temperature will not be what you expect.  If your Thermostat is old, consider getting a new one.  Modern thermostats will allow you to control the temperature of your home from your cell phone.  Also modern thermostats are programmable so you can set different select temperatures throughout the day on a schedule which helps to lower your energy bills.

It is a common myth that closing vents in unused rooms saves energy; in reality, it creates backpressure that can damage your heat exchanger. Ensure at least 80% of your registers are open at all times to maintain the balanced airflow your system was engineered to handle.

Safety should always be the priority for homes with gas furnaces. OAB: Placing a carbon monoxide detector near your sleeping areas provides an early warning of heat exchanger cracks or venting issues, giving your family essential protection against "the silent killer."

If your furnace or AC drain line clogs, water can quickly overflow and damage your floors or ceiling. OAB: Placing a simple, battery-operated water alarm in the drain pan provides an immediate alert at the first sign of a leak, saving you from the "hidden" costs of water damage and mold remediation.

It is common to store household items near the furnace, but crowding the unit can restrict the air it needs to "breathe" for combustion. Keep a minimum three-foot clearance around your furnace to ensure proper airflow and eliminate potential fire hazards in your mechanical room.

Your HVAC system doesn't have to work as hard if you assist it with airflow. OAB: Switching your ceiling fans to clockwise in the winter pushes trapped warm air down from the ceiling, which reduces the frequency of your furnace cycles and extends the life of your equipment.

Keep at least a three-foot perimeter around your furnace to ensure proper combustion airflow and eliminate potential fire hazards from nearby stored items.