July 2, 2021

Learn The Facts Before You Hire Someone To Clean Your Air Ducts

Is Duct Cleaning a Waste of Money?

Some people think that duct cleaning is a waste of money, but it can be useful in some cases. To find out if you need to clean your vents, the EPA recommends:

if there’s any pests or rodents inside them;
when large amounts of mold are showing up on either side and behind each vent cover;
when dust accumulates from heavy use.

Duct cleaning, while not a necessary procedure for all households in the United States, can be beneficial to those looking to improve their home’s air quality.

Dirty ducts are often an indication that there is something wrong with your HVAC system–in some cases, they may even pose health risks if left unchecked! Duct cleaners employ powerful vacuum hoses and brushes along the inside of these systems which pick up dirt particles and other debris you cannot see or feel on average surfaces like floors.

So the best solution would be to hire a professional cleaning agency to inspect your ductwork. Professionals will help to understand the advantages of such service and they also could inspect it to find any other problems.

Let’s dive into this topic to find what is included in a duct inspection and also how to avoid cluttering.

What is usually included in a duct inspection:

A thorough duct inspection by a trained professional includes:

Detection of any signs of asbestos-containing material or bio growth, disconnected ducts, leaks, holes (which all create significant energy waste), and insect or animal infestation in house’s ducts. A more detailed examination is also needed if there are redundant dirt accumulation on the interior side walls within the vents themselves; this could indicate that an issue with airflow exists.

When a specialist after duck inspection would report findings to you, the professional will help to decide if duct cleaning is needed or if it would be at least useful. If your ducts are significantly damaged, they would need to be fixed as quickly as possible to stop additional damage and tear on an HVAC system.

What should be avoided in a duct cleaning company

Sadly, there are cleaning companies that are only trying to make fast money, they just try to sell a duct cleaning service when it’s not needed.

Certain agencies may try to persuade you that your ducts need to be cleaned frequently (which isn’t true) or that your ducts contain harmful substances—without providing any proof.

To avoid those duct cleaning scams, we recommend doing some research before working with a duct cleaning company.

As you look for a duct cleaning company, make sure the company…

Is licensed and insured
Provides upfront, written estimates (before any work begins)
Has good customer endorsements on sites such as Better Business Bureau, Yelp and Google

Additionally, you’ll want to ask about the company’s duct cleaning procedures and how the company will provide proof that your ducts need to be cleaned. If you feel unsure about the answers they provide, look for another company.

Read also: How To Clean Shower Head At Home

Why Duct Cleaning Is Important?

Your heating and cooling system is constantly collecting dirt, dust, and dander that spreads to your home or business when the system turns on. This can impact your health!

For you to maintain a healthy environment in your space at all times of year, you must take care of these ducts with professional service every 1-3 years. A lackadaisical attitude will only result in an increased exposure from airborne particles containing toxins like mold spores which may lead to respiratory issues such as asthma symptoms exacerbated by allergies (which are also commonly noticed during seasonal changes):

Creates a Cleaner Living Environment

Having your air ducts professionally cleaned reduces the dust that would otherwise circulate throughout your living space, landing on your furniture, your bedding, your flooring…just about everywhere. Fortunately, a thorough air duct cleaning reduces the amount of interior cleaning and dusting necessary to maintain a hygienic home

Reduces Allergens and Irritants

In addition to dust, air ducts frequently contain harmful contaminants and micro-organisms. These include pet dander, bacteria, pollen, mildew, mold spores, and similar toxins. People who suffer from allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems are particularly sensitive to these airborne particles. A periodic air duct cleaning promotes healthier living…otherwise, the dirty air in your home just keeps re-circulating over and over.

Removes Unpleasant Smells and Odors

Pets, household cleaning agents, paint fumes, mold, tobacco use and even food preparation all contribute to stale smells in the air ducts. Every time the furnace or air conditioner is running, these odors will repeatedly flow through the house. Even an accumulation of dust and dirt over the years can lead to a musty scent coming from the ductwork. Detailed cleaning of the air ducts removes all odor trapping particles, resulting in a fresher smelling home.

How Often Should I Get My Air Ducts Cleaned?

It is highly recommended to get your vents cleaned every two to three years. If the residents of your home are young children, adults who stay at or work from home, elderly family members, or individuals with allergies, asthma, or chronic illnesses, we recommend more regular cleaning of every year to keep these at-risk individuals safe and free of allergens, dirt, and debris.

What Happens if You Don’t Clean Air Ducts

If you choose not to clean your air ducts, the quality of your home’s air will decrease over time as debris collects in the system. Various items such as fungi can grow inside and create safety risks for everyone living there – including pets! Here are some side effects that may happen if you don’t take care of them:

Mold spore development
Fungus growth
Asthma, sickness or cold induction (by being exposed to pet dander)
Musty odor development
Pet smells from dander and fur
More allergy symptoms
More frequent dusting

How to Tell If Your Ducts Need Cleaning?

Unsure if you need your ducts cleaned? Here are some signs you should have your ducts professionally cleaned sooner rather than later:

Discovering Mold: If you spot mold in or near your air ducts, you should immediately get your ducts cleaned to keep your home safe. The professionals can help you with both mold removal and air duct cleaning.
Discovering Pests: If you find pests inside your home, chances are they are using your duct system to get around. Air duct cleaning can eliminate the organic matter that pests leave behind.
Dust and Debris: If you find yourself constantly dusting your home, the buildup of dust and debris in your ducts could be to blame. Finding dust and debris everywhere is a sign your ducts could use a cleaning sooner than later.
Pets: The more pets you have, the more dander and fur in your home. Your duct system draws this dander and fur, spreading germs, allergens and smells while idle or with each use of your heater or air conditioner.

What Is The Purpose Of Duct Cleaning?

A cleaning every 5-7 years by a company that doesn’t make the duct cleaning a waste of money can provide relief from a whole host of problems. Proper duct cleaning can reduce the amount of dust being pushed out into the home by the HVAC system. If you find yourself needing to dust multiple times a week, and it’s been a long time since you’ve had the ducts cleaned, this may be a great solution.

If someone in the home has allergies, duct cleaning may help relieve the severity of some of their symptoms. Every time you come in from outside, you are bringing in allergens and even harmful particulates. They are taken in by the return ducts and circulated around the home by the HVAC system. A regular duct cleaning can help reduce the number of these particulates building up and being pushed back into the home. Additionally, if there is suspected mold spores or growth in the ductwork, a thorough cleaning will remove the mold and keep it from spreading into the rest of the home.

Another reason for duct cleaning, is renovations to the home. Whether you’ve just bought the home and are fixing it up, or you’ve been there for a while and it’s time to update it, duct cleaning should always be done after you’ve finished the renovations. Think of all the dust, debris, and contaminants that are released during the renovation process. When the air is on, all those particulates are picked up by the HVAC system. This is not something you want to breathe in, and duct cleaning after the work is a fantastic way to finish the process.

Trust Air Duct Cleaning Professional Companies

Moreover, professional duct cleaners use brushes, vacuums and specially-designed blowers to clean the return, supply, and intact ducts throughout the home. Duct cleaning should be thorough, and should include a cleaning of the coils, air handler, housings, registers, motors, grilles and fans of the system. Although the jury is still out about whether duct cleaning improves air quality and helps people with respiratory allergies and illness, some states make HVAC duct cleaning a routine part of public buildings.

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