Have you noticed more dust settling on your furniture lately, or are your allergies acting up more than usual as you relax at home? The culprit might be closer than you think—your air ducts and vents could be harboring dust and allergens, which circulate throughout your living space, affecting your indoor air quality. We’ve created a detailed list of nine tips to reduce dust in air ducts and vents, to help you improve air quality and keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
Upgrade to High-Quality Filters
Not all air filters offer the same level of protection. To capture smaller particles and further reduce dust, consider upgrading to a high-quality filter. For example, filters with a higher MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating are designed to trap more microscopic contaminants. A standard filter typically has a MERV rating between 1 and 4, which is sufficient for basic protection.
If you need superior filtration, look for filters with a MERV rating of 8 to 13. HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters provide the highest level of filtration, capturing over 99% of airborne particles. These are particularly beneficial for households where air quality is a top concern due to allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions.
Vacuum and Dust Often
Reducing the amount of dust in your home directly lowers the amount of dust that enters your air ducts. Fortunately, regular cleaning habits can significantly improve your indoor air quality. Focus on vacuuming carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture at least once a week to remove dust and other allergens that have accumulated.
When dusting surfaces, use a damp microfiber cloth instead of a dry feather duster, as a wet cloth traps dust particles rather than sending them back into the air. Using a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter is also a great strategy, as it prevents fine dust particles from recirculating.
Seal Air Duct Leaks
Your ductwork runs through areas of your home you don’t often see, like the attic, crawl space, or behind walls. If there are leaks, cracks, or loose connections in the ducts, they can allow dusty, unconditioned air from these spaces to enter. This dusty air then mixes with your clean, conditioned air and gets distributed throughout your house.
Sealing these leaks prevents dust from entering at the source and improves your HVAC system’s efficiency. You can inspect visible ducts for obvious signs of leaks, like disconnected joints or tears. For a thorough job, it’s best to have a professional HVAC technician perform an inspection and seal any leaks with specialized materials, such as mastic sealant or metal-backed tape.
Change Air Filters Regularly
Your HVAC system’s filter captures airborne particles, such as dust, pollen, and pet dander, before they can circulate through your home. If you do not change it, the filter will get clogged and cannot do its job correctly. Once the filter is thick with dust, it restricts airflow, forcing your system to work harder and potentially spreading more dust and allergens throughout your living space.
A clogged filter can’t do its job correctly, allowing dust to accumulate in your ductwork and be pushed back into your living spaces. We recommend checking your filters every month to three months and replacing them as needed. Homes with pets or those with allergy sufferers may require more frequent cleaning.
Keep Vents and Registers Clean
Your vents and registers are the final exit points for air traveling through your ducts. If they’re covered in dust, those particles can easily become airborne again each time your HVAC system turns on. Make it a habit to clean your vent covers and registers as part of your regular cleaning routine.
Ideally, make it a habit to clean your vent covers and registers when you tidy the rest of your home. To do this, wipe down the exterior of the vent covers with a damp cloth to remove any surface dust. To clean more thoroughly, remove the cover and use a vacuum with a brush attachment to clear any debris from inside the register opening.
Control Humidity Levels
Another tip for reducing dust in air ducts and vents is to lower the overall humidity in your home. Typically, high humidity creates a damp environment that allows dust mites, mold, and mildew to thrive. These allergens can accumulate in your air ducts, contributing to poor indoor air quality. However, maintaining balanced humidity levels in your home makes it a less hospitable place for these contaminants.
The ideal indoor humidity range is between 30% and 50%. You can use a dehumidifier in damp areas, such as basements or bathrooms, to lower moisture levels. In drier climates, a whole-house humidifier integrated with your HVAC system can add the necessary moisture to the air, which can also help dust settle more quickly, making it easier to clean.
Minimize Indoor Dust Sources
Proactive measures to reduce dust sources throughout your home can prevent a lot of it from ever reaching your HVAC system. Common sources of dust include bedding, cluttered surfaces, and pets. Chores such as washing your bedding in hot water weekly help eliminate dust mites and their waste.
Moreover, reducing clutter gives dust fewer places to settle and makes cleaning easier. If you have pets, groom them regularly to minimize shedding and dander. Simple actions like these contribute to a cleaner home and cleaner air, which is a perfect combination for a healthy indoor environment.
Hire Professionals To Clean Them
Some dust and debris will inevitably build up in your air ducts over time, even with regular cleaning and consistent filter changes. A professional AC maintenance company can remove this accumulation, which improves your home’s air quality. Technicians use powerful vacuums and specialized tools to dislodge and remove dust, pet dander, and other contaminants from your ductwork.
Contact Us
Schedule a comprehensive HVAC inspection and duct cleaning with Style Crest’s licensed professionals at least once a year. Our technicians use specialized tools to access and clean deep within your ductwork, removing settled dust, mold spores, and other contaminants that standard DIY methods might miss.
Additionally, we can check for leaks, blocked vents, or damaged pipes that affect air flow and efficiency. By investing in professional maintenance, you not only protect your HVAC system from premature wear but also create a healthier environment for your family, reducing allergens and respiratory irritants.