Clean Room Vents for Optimal Heating
You’ll find it no surprise that your central heating system is full of a lot of hot air. But if your wall vents or floor registers are clogged with dirt and dust, that airflow is getting a bit stuck, making your system less efficient. Your furnace will have to run longer to get the same amount of heat into your home, and that means bigger heating bills this season.
Before we hit the worst of winter, take the time to thoroughly clean your vents and ductwork. Don’t be daunted if you’ve never done it – it’s never too late to clean up your dusty vents. Here’s to even more hot air…
What’s in it for you?
- Longer lasting filters
- Fewer repairs
- Improved efficiency
- Improved air quality
How to Clean Your Room Vents:
- Turn off your system.
You’ll be more comfortable without heat blowing in your face as you clean. Turning off the heat also ensures you won’t just be blowing excess dust around your house. - Remove the vent cover.
Use a screwdriver to remove the cover to your first vent. Start with ceiling vents and high wall registers and work your way down to the floor, so you don’t end up dropping dirt into a vent you’ve already cleaned. - Vacuum the vent cover.
Use the brush attachment to brush away stuck-on dirt and vacuum up debris. Clean both sides of the vent, as the inside is likely to be far dirtier than the outside. - Break out the soap.
If your vent cover still appears greasy, sooty or dirty, mix some dish soap in a bucket of warm water and give the vent a soak. Use a sponge to scrub away stubborn grime. - Vacuum the duct.
Remove the brush attachment and reach the nozzle as far into the ductwork as you can to suck away even more dust. A Shop-Vac will work better, but even a little vacuuming is better than none. - Replace the vent cover.
When the vent cover is dry, re-tighten the screws. Repeat this process for all vents in your home.
Pro Tip: Dress for success during this home care job. Wear a hat to protect your head from any debris that falls out of ceiling vents, and if you’re prone to allergies, consider wearing a dust mask to cut down on the amount of dust and pollen you breathe in as you work.
