The Simple Maintenance Task You Should Do In The Fall For A Warmer Home In The Winter

As colder temperatures arrive, you may be dreading the thought of how much your heating costs are about to skyrocket and wondering what you can do about it. Fortunately, whether you rely on electric, gas, or oil heat, cleaning your air vent covers is a surprisingly simple and cost-effective maintenance task that many homeowners overlook, despite it taking only a matter of minutes. A clogged or dusty vent system doesn't just have the potential to negatively impact your family's health. Gobs of pet dander and pollen, dust mites, and even disease-carrying rodent droppings can slow down or even stop airflow. Making sure your air vents are clean during the fall prevents your heater from working overtime to keep your home at a comfortable temperature during the winter.

You may already know that it's important to regularly clean your air ducts, and many of us do a quick vacuum over the exposed part of our vents as part of a regular cleaning routine. But since it does take a few extra minutes to vacuum or wipe down both sides of your vent grates, the task often gets missed. However, even a small amount of buildup on your air vents can significantly reduce your home's energy efficiency, meaning you'll pay more money for less warmth. Cleaner air vents also mean the air that does reach you (whether warmed or cooled) is going to be cleaner overall. You'll have less dust swirling around your living room, which won't prevent but could help reduce the likelihood of sneezing and irritation that takes a tiny little cold from bad to worse.

Cleaning your air vents isn't complicated, but doing it safely is key. Before the first freezing temperatures arrive, start by turning off your heating system to avoid getting a face full of dust while the furnace is running. Next, remove your vent covers. Some will snap into place, while others might have screws that need to be carefully removed and set aside. Depending on the height of your ceilings, you may need a ladder to reach them. Consider covering the floors below with a drop cloth to catch any loose dust.

Next, use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to remove loose debris from each vent and its opening. Have a look at your ducts while you've got the vents off. Vermin or mold growth are signs your home needs a professional HVAC duct cleaning as soon as possible. But if they look relatively clean, with just debris or grime around the vent opening, use a damp microfiber cloth to remove it. Be careful not to soak your vents or use harsh chemicals, since either one can damage finishes, corrode metal duct openings, or leave residue that gets blown right back into your rooms. If the vents themselves are super grimy, soak them in warm soapy water before giving them a good rinse. Once they're completely dry, carefully reinstall them. Fall is an important time to clean your air vents to ensure your heating system is operating as efficiently as possible before winter arrives, but for most households, it won't hurt to clean them every three to six months to ensure cleaner indoor air all year long.