When the cold weather rolls in, you may feel so inclined to start running heat by switching on your gas furnace. That’s all good and fine, but you might be left wondering how well it will work after a long warm season where the equipment was left idle 24-7. Immediately, you notice an odd odor. This is normal, as the system likely has accumulated some dust and debris that it will essentially burn off as it cycles into regular operation, but what if it never goes away? Homeowners may be left with an unpleasant smell in the home if they don’t have the furnace serviced, and fast! Have you had your ductwork cleaned? We’re quick to replace old and worn parts when key components like the boiler, the air handler, or other big-ticket items conk out on us. However, we always seem more resistant to invest a little in preventative maintenance to keep these all-essential pieces operating at maximum efficiency. One of these preventative maintenances includes cleaning dirty ductwork. Why is cleaning ductwork important? For one, anything in your ducts will mix with pushed air as it travels and winds up in the air. That means you’re essentially polluting the air you breathe when you’re home, which is unsanitary and, in some cases, unsafe. In addition, dirty ductwork affects efficiency. If you have one furnace heating a whole house and it relies on ductwork to push heat into each room, it will have to work extra hard to make sure heat comes through reliably if it’s fighting against dust, debris, and other obstacles hidden inside the ductwork. We know you’re picturing a simple coating of dust and figuring it’s no big deal, but the average household can accumulate a staggering amount! What’s worse is that a severely neglected duct might become completely blocked and cause the machinery to work overtime to no avail. What’s all that translate too? An HVAC system that’s working too hard to not get the right results and a big heating bill because of it! No one wants to pay top dollar and still be stuck with a frigid house! Can you do clean ductwork yourself? How accessible your ductwork is depends entirely on your home’s construction. Often, it’s inaccessible unless you use a wide array of specialized tools, open vent covers, and really get in there. Some DIY folks endeavor an attempt, but why bother with the hassle when you can hire a team of qualified, certified pros to get the job done hassle free? In the Pleasant Hill area of California, Cozy Conditions specializes in HVAC service and repair of all kinds, and they’re ready and able to get into that ductwork and give it the deep cleaning it deserves. Contact Cozy Conditions now and find out how they will help you today!