The Importance of Vent Cleaning at the End of a Long Wisconsin Winter

As winter in Southern Wisconsin enters its final chilly months, it’s normal to feel slightly cooped up indoors. That isn’t just cabin fever: if you haven’t cleaned your vents in a while, dust accumulation could be deteriorating the air quality in your building. In cold climates like Wisconsin, now is the ideal time of year for a thorough vent cleaningprior to the transition into spring. Ensuring that your vents are properly cleared out from the long winter and ready for the season ahead will keep your property safe from mold growth, allergens, and other risks.

Why is it important to clean your vents regularly? Whether you’re dealing with a slow HVAC system, feel like you’re experiencing constant allergies, or simply need to do a routine cleaning, there are several reasons why keeping your vents clean is crucial property care. Ahead is everything you need to know about cleaning your vents this season.

What happens when you ignore vent cleaning?

If you don’t clean your vents regularly, you could expose yourself and anyone else on your property to health and safety risks. Here are some of the things that might happen without regular vent cleaning:

1. Respiratory health damage

One of the number one causes of mold growth is poor ventilation. Mold thrives in dark, damp areas without proper airflow, so failing to clean your vents can create an ideal environment for mold growth. Consider the vents in your kitchen and bathroom areas: if you spent the winter taking hot showers and boiling water on your stove, that condensation likely traveled into your ventilation system, meaning it’s high time for a cleanout.

Mold isn’t the only problem that can arise without proper vent restoration. During the cold months in areas like Wisconsin, homes are sealed tightly to conserve heat, so indoor airflow is minimal. This means that dust and allergens can collect in ventilation systems throughout the winter. Those “spring allergies” you experience every year might not be the result of the dawn of warmer weather—it could simply be that you haven’t cleaned your vents recently.

2. Fire hazards

Even here in the cold Midwest, fire prevention is always top of mind. At A&J Property Restoration, we provide fire damage and smoke damage cleaning, but you can always be proactive in preventing a house fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association, approximately 15,000 to 17,000 fires are linked to clogged dryer vents yearly in the United States. Such tragic events can be easily avoided by regularly cleaning out your dryer vents.

3. Energy inefficiency

Don’t force your HVAC system to work harder than it needs to after it’s spent all winter keeping your home’s temperature properly regulated. When you don’t keep your vents clean, your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems all need to use more energy to push air through your vents. Dust buildup in your vent system will cause your HVAC to use more energy than necessary.

When your HVAC can’t push air through your vents easily, you waste money and energy. Your heating and cooling bills will be higher, and you won’t conserve energy properly. Clean vents will keep your costs low and your energy consumption green.

How often should you clean your vents?

• Dryer vents: You should clear the lint out of your dryer vents with every use and do a thorough cleaning every year.
• HVAC systems: Schedule an air duct vent cleaning every 2-3 years, depending on the usage and condition of your systems. If your HVAC system is older, you may need to schedule a cleaning more regularly.
• Seasonal considerations: During the wintertime, increased use of heating systems can lead to higher levels of dust and mold buildup. Spending more time indoors means more allergens will get caught in the vents and cause the HVAC system to slow.

When to call A&J Property Restoration

If you notice dust buildup around your vents, smell musty odors in your home, or if your dryer is taking longer to dry your clothes, you should clean your vents. If you notice mold, A&J Property Restoration offers mold cleaning services to ensure that your vents remain free of debris and allergens in the future. We hope that your vent cleaning will prevent dryer fires, but in the case of fire damage, we’re happy to help restore your home.

Putting off your air duct vent cleaning could be costly to your health, the environment, and your wallet. If you do find mold in your vents, know that A&J Property Restoration is here to help.