Air duct cleaning is one of the most commonly performed services in the industrialized world. However, while it theoretically makes sense to clean your air ducts with Proair duct cleaning equipment, there is debate over whether or not it is even necessary. There’s also a concern that cleaning the air ducts could potentially cause harm to your HVAC system. Let’s look at both sides of this issue and get to the bottom of whether air duct cleaning does more good than harm.
What is Air Duct Cleaning?
When air ducts become dirty, it impacts the indoor air quality of your home or business. Air duct cleaning is the process of removing contaminants from these systems.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that homeowners and business owners have their air ducts cleaned every few years to ensure optimal results. In addition, the EPA states that if you notice mold growing in your system, if rodents or insects are present, or excessive amounts of dust are blowing out of your supply registers, it may be time to consider having your HVAC cleaned.
Why Do I Need Air Duct Cleaning?
The following lists the top 3 needs for air duct cleaning:
- Allergens and Contaminants
Air duct cleaning will remove the dust, pollen, and other allergens circulating through your home. This may help your family with allergies or even asthma.
- Mold and Mildew
Mold can grow in the cool dark areas of your ductwork. This can cause breathing problems for those who are sensitive to mold. It gets highly recommended to have a professional inspect your air ducts as some forms of mold can be hazardous.
- HVAC Efficiency
When your ducts are dirty and clogged with debris, your HVAC system has to work a little hard to heat or cool your home. Professional cleaning eliminates blockages in the ductwork, so air moves freely through the system. It improves efficiency, so you save money on energy bills.
- Rodent Infestation
Rodents also like to hide out in ductwork. They leave droppings full of bacteria and other pathogens that cause allergic reactions.
How Frequently Should My Air Ducts Be Cleaned?
The answer to this question is dependent on several factors, including the type of heating and cooling system you have, whether you have pets or children. In addition, how often you smoke indoors, your family’s allergies and asthma; the number of people who live in your home, and the age of your HVAC are all factors to consider.
For most families, keeping their house healthy is a key priority. And, with the arrival of autumn, it’s almost time to turn on the heat once more. Because you’ll be breathing that warm air for the next few months, make sure it’s free of contaminants. Getting your air ducts cleaned will help eliminate pet dander from the air in your home and lower the risk of allergies or other issues for sensitive people.
A thorough professional cleaning of your air ducts will take approximately two hours, depending on the size of your home (larger homes will take longer). The process involves using a long brush or compressed air tool to dislodge dust and debris from the interior surfaces of your ductwork.
The Truth about Duct Cleaning:
- Improved Air Flow
Ducts are responsible for circulating air throughout your home. If dirt and debris collect on the inside of your ductwork, it can prevent warm air from reaching certain areas of the house during the winter months and cool air from reaching other parts of the home in the summer months. If you notice a drastic decrease in airflow, schedule an appointment with a professional HVAC technician for duct cleaning.
- Duct Cleaning Never Damage Your Air Duct Work
People are afraid that if they have their ducts cleaned, the technician will damage the ducts, causing costly repairs or even replacement. This is not the case. A reputable company will use specialized equipment to clean your ducts without damaging them. They’ll also tell you if your ducts are damaged or in bad enough shape to require repair. You can also purchase this equipment and use them to clean your HVAC system.
- Ducts Cleaning Eliminates Odors and Mold
Another misconception about air duct cleaning is that it doesn’t make a difference in the smell or quality of your home’s air. But when you consider that just one piece of moldy fiberglass insulation can give off millions of spores, it becomes clear how much cleaning can improve things like odors or allergies caused by mold spores in the air.
- Duct Cleaning Does Not Harm building
This process does not damage your building or the structure of your home. It is completely safe and will not cause any harm whatsoever to your property. It does not alter the overall construction of your home either. This procedure can get repeated several times without inflicting any damage to your property or home’s construction.
- Air duct cleaning does not damage the HVAC unit
Even though there may be a lot of dust in the air ducts, getting them cleaned does not damage the HVAC unit. The air handler is designed to withstand any amount of dust your home or office can generate. Unless your ducts have been infested with rodents and insects and their nests, there will be no harm done to the machine.
Conclusion
Duct cleaning can be a vital part of keeping your HVAC systems running smoothly, but there are several misconceptions that we have cleared in our post. If you’re looking to keep your heating and cooling system running at top efficiency, a commercial air duct cleaning can help. When done properly, an air duct cleaning—or whole-building duct cleaning—strips the system of harmful dust, dirt, and contamination.