Typically, your facility’s air ducts and HVAC system as a whole are “out of sight, out of mind.” Aside from changing the air filters and occasionally running a diagnostic, many facility managers invest no time in their HVAC maintenance. However, this is a poor strategy for many reasons. Your HVAC system is responsible for tenant comfort, health, and productivity. Without proper temperature control your tenants will be unhappy and your employees unable to perform at their best. Without proper ventilation, your facility will have stagnant air pollutants that are never filtered through properly (including germs and airborne viruses). The “out of sight, out of mind” approach is one of the worst to take for the care of your HVAC system.
One of the most prominent ways this shows up is through the air ducts. The air ducts are like blood vessels running through the body. They supply your building with heated or cooled air, and ensure that air is properly circulating to ensure high indoor air quality. Your air ducts, therefore, are a critical part of your facility operations as a whole. Though they’re hiding out of sight, they can play a crucial role in the performance of your facility.
One of the best ways to maintain the health of your HVAC system as a whole is to clean the air ducts regularly. Cleaning can help reduce dust buildup and the spread of odor in the facility. It will also extend the service life of the ducts, which can help reduce costly repairs down the line. Your HVAC system is only as healthy as your ductwork, so be sure to schedule regular cleanings as your HVAC technician recommends.
For medical facilities and other buildings with strict health standards, air duct cleaning should be performed annually. Typically office buildings and retail stores, among others, should at least schedule an audit every year, with cleanings spaced out as needed every three to five years. However, these are only estimations. You should talk to your MaintenX HVAC technician for a plan customized for your facility needs.
Be sure to schedule your air duct cleaning well in advance. Typically, this process requires pressurized air to be blown throughout the ductwork. Not only is this process noisy, messy, and a distraction, but it will cause dust and debris to be blown out through the vents. This process also requires the HVAC system to be shut off, so it’s best to do this after hours. Talk to your HVAC technician to determine how long the process will be based on the state of your current ductwork and the size of your facility.
To learn more about ductwork cleaning options for your facility, contact your local MaintenX team!
