What is Air Duct Cleaning?
Air duct cleaning is a service that is used to remove dust, dirt, and other debris from the air ducts of a building. Air ducts are usually located in the ceiling and walls of a building. Air ducts are used to carry air from the air conditioning units to the rooms of the building.
Air duct cleaning is the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing. It is important to make sure the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system before having them cleaned.
Duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems.
Deciding Whether or Not to Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned
Ducts can be cleaned by a careless or inadequately trained service provider, which can damage the ducts or heating and cooling system. There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system.
Other Important Considerations
There is no evidence that duct cleaning benefits the health of people or pets in the home. Duct cleaning should only be done as needed and should only be performed by a professional. If you are unsure about whether duct cleaning is a good idea for your home, talk to a professional. Remember to ask questions and insist on complete and knowledgeable answers when considering this service.
Be sure to check with professional duct cleaning service providers about their services before hiring them.
Suggestions for Choosing a Duct Cleaning Service Provider
Talk to at least three different service providers. Get written estimates before deciding whether to have your ducts cleaned. Do not hire duct cleaners who make sweeping claims about the health benefits of duct cleaning – these claims are unsubstantiated. Do not allow the use of chemical biocides or chemical treatments unless you fully understand the pros and cons (See “Unresolved Issues of Duct Cleaning).
Check references to be sure other customers were satisfied and did not experience any problems with their heating and cooling system after cleaning. Ask the service provider whether they hold any relevant state licenses. Request an estimate of the number of hours or days the job will take, and find out whether there will be interruptions in the work.
Make sure the duct cleaner you choose will provide a written agreement outlining the total cost and scope of the job before work begins.
How to Prevent Duct Contamination
Duct contamination is a major problem in the HVAC industry. It is caused by a number of factors, including:
– Dirty filters.
– Dirty blower motors.
– Excessive grease build-up.
– Dust and pollen.
– Fungi.
– Mold.
– Odor.
– Water.
– Toxins.
– Viruses.
– Mold and spores are not only a problem indoors but they can
Air ducts should be properly sealed and insulated to prevent water condensation. When having your heating and cooling system maintained or checked, ask the service provider to clean coils and pans. To prevent moisture contamination of the system, make sure all ducts are sealed at joints
Cleaning Your Ducts
Duct cleaning is not a do-it-yourself job. Only use a certified technician who has the right tools and equipment. Air duct cleaning is performed by using a high-end roto bristol brush machine with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter and vacuum. Cleaning your ducts can help to prevent allergies and asthma.
Cleaning your ducts is easy and doesn’t require a lot of special equipment or knowledge. There are many different ways to clean your ducts, depending on the type of dirt or debris that’s causing your problem. Duct cleaning is not just for people with allergies – it can also be beneficial for people who have smoke detectors in their homes, because smoke can accumulate in the ductwork over time.
