At Breath Assured, we provide professional air duct cleaning for Halifax homes and we have designed our process to work in conjunction with and increase the performance of your heat pump system. In this article, we will provide details about the importance of clean air ducts, how they impact your heat pump system and why it is important for Halifax homeowners to pay attention to heating and cooling systems often thought of only as a necessary evil in their HVAC systems.
If you live in Halifax or anywhere in coastal Nova Scotia, you have likely noticed a trend in home heating/cooling: Heat pump systems are growing in popularity. Relying on energy-efficient heat pumps is the preferred way to address our notoriously unpredictable weather: damp, cold winters and humid, sticky summers. While heat pumps are efficient and provide great performance, many homeowners don’t think about the condition of their air duct system.
Let’s take a closer look at why duct cleaning is not just spring cleaning but is important home maintenance for comfort and energy efficiency.
1. Understanding How Heat Pumps and Ducts Work Together
Your heat pump (side note, heat pumps heat your house in the winter and cool your house in summer, which is why they’re double duty) works similar to the heart. It moves heat from one place to another. But no matter how advanced your heat pump is, it only matters as much as the air ducts that get the air to you.
Ductwork is the transportation system for your system. If that system is blocked, leaking or has contaminants in it, you can’t have the best efficiency from your heat pump.
Put simply, clean ducts are to your heat pump what clean arteries are to your heart. If buildup has occurred in either, pressure increases, efficiency goes down and strain goes up.
2. Common Duct Issues in Halifax Homes
Halifax homes differ from other homes. Since many are older homes or homes in coastal environments, duct work has its share of challenges:
Salt air corrosion
- Mold and mildew caused by moisture intrusion
- Dust and debris from renovations (common with Halifax century homes)
- Pet hair, pollen and allergens from our abundant surroundings.
These contaminants do not just sit in your ducts. When your heat pump fires up, it sends these particles into the air you breathe, reducing air quality and system efficiency.
3. Boosting Heat Pump Efficiency Through Duct Cleaning
When your ducts are clean, air flows more freely; your heat pump doesn’t have to work as hard when pushing warm or cool air around your house.
Energy Star estimates that duct systems lose approximately 20-30% of the air moving through the ducts due to leaks, blockages or poor connections. Now factor dust and debris buildup into the equation, we can assume the number goes up from here.
Cleaning your ducts reduces obstructions, reduces airflow restrictions and helps your system operate properly.
By doing this, we can reduce your energy consumption and improve the system performance in a location where we have 30 degrees of temperature variation, from extreme cold to extreme heat in a few short months.
4. Saving Money on Energy Bills
One of the best things about heat pumps is that they can save you a lot of money. If your ducts are filled with dirt and debris, those savings are disappearing quickly.
Clogged ducts stress your system, causing it to run longer and more frequently to reach the desired temperature, effectively costing you more money.
All of our Halifax clients have seen huge cost savings after a good duct cleaning by a professional, even receiving around 10-20% off their monthly electrical bill, depending on the season.
A few hundred dollars up front can quickly pay for itself.
5. Extending the Life of Your Heat Pump
Think of your heat pump as a vehicle, the more resistance your vehicle encounters (dirty filters, blocked vents, dusty ducts), the harder it has to work to perform its duty, this extra strain will lead to:
- Faster wear and tear
- Unplanned maintenance and breakdowns
- Potentially shorten the lifespan of your entire system
When you keep your ducts clean, you aren’t just extenuating performance, you are decreasing the heat pump strain and protecting your investment. A typical heat pump has a lifespan of 10-15 years, but most of our clients have heat pumps that have lasted longer because proper airflow reduces the strain of the system.
6. Enhancing Indoor Air Quality Year-Round
Here is something that most people do not consider: your ducts are essentially large air recycling machines. Dust and dirt, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, everything that is inside of them, gets pushed out into your living environment every time the system fires up. In Halifax, where we have damp, rainy winters and lots of allergens in spring and fall, this can be a major issue, especially for families with:
People who suffer from asthma or allergies
- Children or seniors
- Pets
- Sensitivity to mold or high humidity
Our HEPA-grade duct vacuums and antimicrobial fogging options help to remove contaminants and prevent them from circulating, which allows you to enjoy a cleaner and healthier indoor air environment.
7. Addressing Moisture and Mold Risks in Coastal Climates
Halifax’s location next to the ocean offers natural beauty many can enjoy, however, it also brings a fair bit of humidity. Moisture is often a problem for Halifax residents, especially in homes with porous, unsealed or un-insulated ducts.
Every time hot, humid air travels through cool ductwork, condensation can happen and allow for mold and mildew to thrive.
Our team looks for:
- Signs of visible mold to the naked eye
- Musty smells when the system starts up
- Water marking or stains around vents
If these signs can be caught early, they can be easily remediated with duct cleaning and treatments, which can help prevent health issues and costly repairs.
8. How Our Cleaning Process Works (Step-by-Step)
We have perfected the process for heat pump systems and in homes with narrow crawl spaces, old ductworks or multiple mini-splits such as those in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The process includes the following:
- Initial inspection – We inspect the duct condition around access points noting visible damage, debris or other concerns we see will affect the service.
- System sealing and protection – We make sure the furnishings and HVAC that you utilize will all be protected.
- Source removal vacuuming – Our negative air machines and its a powerful vacuum that will extract the built up contaminants from your entire duct network.
- Agitation tools – We use rotary brushes as needed and compressed air whips that can release any grime that is stuck on.
- Sanitizing (optional) – We offer an optional safe green plant based deep fogging material that will disinfect and lightly sanitize the interior ductwork which is beneficial if you have a definite concern with mold/mildew.
- Post-clean inspection and air quality check
The process will take a few hours and will leave you with a good portion of your system and air cleaner.
9. When Should Halifax Homeowners Clean Their Ducts?
Duct cleaning frequency varies based on pets, allergies and renovation work but as a general guideline we recommend:
- Every 3-5 years for most homes
- Every 2-3 years if you have pets, allergies or smoke inside
- As soon as required after a major renovation
- Before and/or after installing a new heat pump
Many Halifax customers schedule the duct clean in the spring (after the heating season) or fall (before the heater is turned back on). Both are ideal times to reset the air system in the home.
10. Why Halifax Homes Need Localized HVAC Expertise
Halifax isn’t Toronto or Vancouver or Calgary. The locations we live in have different regional challenges, from salty ocean air and temperature changes, to older heritage buildings with their own decaying systems.
This is why it’s important to work with a team that understands:
- How humidity will impact duct performance,
- The common materials in older Halifax homes,
- Which HVAC systems are prevalent here and how to safely clean around them,
- The importance of timing (especially before those Nor’easters develop),
We don’t just do duct cleaning – we operate and optimize duct cleaning to your local conditions, so that your heat pump will function to give you year-round comfort in Halifax.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve invested in a heat pump system – or are thinking about the investment – don’t allow dirty ducts to compromise your comfort, efficiency and air quality. Professional duct cleaning is among the least expensive ways to help support your HVAC system, extend the lifespan of your HVAC system and receive the HVAC performance you paid for.
At Breath Assured, we are proud to offer honest, thorough and effective duct cleaning services to Halifax and the area. Whether you have a condo downtown, a heritage home in the North End or a new build in Bedford or Dartmouth, we’re here to help you get the most out of your heat pump – and enjoy the freshest air available.
