Last time we discussed duct cleaning in Toms River, we reviewed when the service is most helpful and how to find and hire the right company. This time, we’re going to go over some of the most common terms related to duct cleaning. Because it is not a home service that every home has to have done regularly, there isn’t much known about it by the average homeowner. One way to better understand anything is to become more familiar with the words and definitions associated with it. This list could almost double as an HVAC repair glossary because a lot of duct cleaning involves inspecting and cleaning all parts of the HVAC system, not just the ductwork. It is important to be familiar with these parts so you can ensure the job done was sufficient.
Access door or panel
A plate of metal that is secure, but easy to open to give repair technicians or users easy access to an important part of the machine. The cover of your circuit breaker, for example, is technically an access door.
Duct work
Most commonly made of galvanized steel or aluminum sheet metal, these tunnels travel throughout your home behind walls and ceilings to transport treated air to all areas of your home. Depending on the installation, ductwork can also be made of fiberboard, fiberglass, or may even be flexible tubing. The beginning of the ductwork labyrinth starts at the air handling unit and exits at vents and registers.
Air Handler
Also referred to as an air handling unit (or AHU), it consists of an air filter, an evaporator coil, and a blower motor. As the name implies, the use of this piece of the HVAC system circulated treated air.
Air Filter
One of the most important parts of an HVAC system, the air filter is found in the furnace and should be changed every three months on average. This filter is the first line of defense against dirt and debris entering your HVAC system and ductwork. It helps decrease the need for duct cleaning in Toms River when maintained properly.
Blower
The blower is what powers the AHU. After the air is treated and has reached the temperature set on the thermostat, the blower turns on and forces the air into the ductwork to be distributed throughout the building.
Evaporator Coil
This coil contains the cold refrigerant received from the compressor. The blower fan moves warm air over the coil where the chilled refrigerant sucks up the heat. Once the refrigerant is too warm to be effective, it is moved to the condenser coil outside.
Compressor
The component that circulates refrigerant. It is located in the condenser in the outdoor portion of an air conditioning system.
Condenser
The large metal cube with a large fan found outside is a condenser. This piece of equipment either takes in heat or releases heat based on the cycle.
Condenser Coil
This coil takes the heat removed from the air by the evaporator coil and releases it outside. In this process, the refrigerant is also being cooled in order to be pumped back inside to continue to treat the air.
NADCA
National Air Duct Cleaners Association. This non-profit organization is aimed at education surrounding the process of duct cleaning and establishing industry standards. Homeowners can refer to this website if they are wondering if duct cleaning in Toms River is right for them.
Filtered Negative Air Machine
Essentially, an industrial strength vacuum, but in reality, is so much more. Many duct cleaning companies use machines like this to safely and effectively remove dirt and debris from duct work. They are sometimes also called air scrubbers.
Vents and Registers
Where the air exits the system of ductwork and enters the rooms. The vent is technically the opening and the register is the grate that covers it. Registers often have dampers to adjust the direction and amount of air flow.
Rotary Brush
After a negative air machine is used to suck dirt out of the ducts, other tools, including a rotary brush are used to dislodge stuck-on material. Depending on the type of duct work that is being cleaned, what the brush is made of may vary so that the process of duct cleaning in Toms River cleaning doesn’t cause damage.