Air Duct Cleaning Time
Indoor air quality is one concern that homeowners have when they decide to investigate air duct cleaning. In a typical six-room home, up to 40 pounds of dust is created annually through everyday living. Your heating and cooling system is the lungs of your home. The system taken air in and breathes air out.
You should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if:
• There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system.
• Ducts are infested with vermin, e.g. (rodents or insects); or
• Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.
EPA recommends if you have a fuel burning furnace, stove, or fireplace, they be inspected for proper functioning and serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. Some research also suggests that cleaning dirty cooling coils, fans and heat exchangers can improve the efficiency of heating and cooling systems.
If you think duct cleaning might be a good idea for your home, but you are not sure, talk to a professional. The company that services your heating and cooling system may be a good source of advice. You may also want to contact professional duct cleaning service providers and ask them about the services they provide. Remember, they are trying to sell you a service, so ask questions and insist on complete and knowledgeable answers.
Find companies that provide duct cleaning services check your Yellow Pages under “duct cleaning” or contact the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA). When the service providers come to your home, ask them to show you the contamination that would justify having your ducts cleaned.
Prevent Duct Contamination
The EPA recommends the following:
• Use the highest efficiency air filter recommended by the manufacturer of your heating and cooling system
• Change filter regularly.
• Remove dust and vacuum regularly.
• Controlling moisture is the most effective way to prevent biological growth in air ducts.
NADCA provides the following four videos for consumers on air duct cleaning, check them out. The titles are:
1. HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Can Have Energy Saving Benefits
2. How Your HVAC System Affects the Indoor Air Quality of Your Home
3. It’s Common for HVAC Systems to Get Dirty – Learn How
4. The NADCA Guide to Proper HVAC System Cleaning
The Link to NADCA Videos for consumers: http://www.nadca.com/en/videos
