The EPA recommends air duct cleaning only when:
- Mold is visible in the ducts
- Dust accumulation is significant in the ducts
- A household member is experiencing allergies in the home or unexplained illness
Full Answer
Do my air ducts really need to be cleaned regularly?
You may consider having your air ducts cleaned simply because it seems logical that air ducts will get dirty over time and should be occasionally cleaned. Provided that the cleaning is done properly, no evidence suggests that such cleaning would be detrimental. EPA does not recommend that the air ducts be cleaned routinely, but only as needed.
Why do you need professional air duct cleaning?
Why Do You Need to Clean Air Ducts in Winter?
- Avail our professional professional air duct cleaning service today. Call Kings Cleaning Solution now at (765) 698-5096 (888) 629-5464! ...
- End Winter Allergies. Dust mites, pet dander, and mold circulate through the HVAC system if the air ducts are not cleaned at regular intervals.
- Improve Air Quality. ...
- Extend Lifespan of HVAC System. ...
Is it really necessary to clean air ducts?
The EPA does not recommend cleaning the air ducts regularly, only when necessary. However, the EPA recommends that if you have a stove, stove, or fireplace that runs on fuel, check that it is working properly and wait before each heating season to protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Is air duct cleaning really worth it?
In case you were wondering whether air duct cleaning is worth it, now you have an answer. Air duct cleaning will keep your HVAC system working in optimal condition, save on power bills, and prolong the lifespan of your system. You will also enjoy healthy living and remove any odor in your home. Search professional in air duct cleaning near me today to enjoy the mentioned benefits.
What happens if air ducts are not cleaned?
Over time, without proper air duct cleaning and maintenance, the moisture will start to grow mold and mildew. The real problem here is due to what your ducts do: disperse air throughout a structure. If you have moldy air ducts, that mold is going to be blown all through your home or business.
How do I know if my air ducts need to be cleaned?
Have your air ducts cleaned if they are visibly contaminated with substantial mold growth, pests or vermin, or are clogged with substantial deposits of dust or debris. Ask the service provider to show you any mold or other biological contamination they say exists.
What are the pros and cons of duct cleaning?
Air Duct Cleaning Pros and ConsIncrease efficiency and lifespan of your HVAC. ... Eliminating the risk of dangerous diseases. ... A hygiene environment without allergens. ... Get rid of unpleasant odours. ... Don't spend money every year. ... A visual inspection is not possible. ... Some systems might need replacement. ... It was just a change of filter.
How often air duct should be cleaned?
every 3 to 5 yearsAir ducts are passageways that transport cooled and heated air throughout your house. Just like any other HVAC system, air ducts require regular maintenance to ensure maximum efficiency. As a general rule of thumb, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends air duct cleaning every 3 to 5 years.
How can you tell if your air ducts are dirty?
11 Signs Your Ducts Should Be CleanedVents & ducts are clogged with dust and debris. ... Your air filters become clogged. ... Unpleasant odor from ducts. ... Mold & mildew presence inside or outside your HVAC system. ... Unstable or poor airflow in the house. ... Insects, rodents and other vermin infestation in your air ducts.More items...
Can I clean my air ducts myself?
Yes, you can clean your own Ductwork. At On Time Home Services, we recommend scheduling regular air duct cleaning services from a professional HVAC technician to keep your system in the best possible shape. But in between professional maintenance you can clean them yourself.
Why does my house get so dusty?
Both low humidity and high humidity play a role in why your house is so dusty. When the air is dry, your air can be extra dusty. But when it's too high, it can feed mites and promote mold growth. If your air is dry, run a humidifier so that you can reach a comfortable level.
How do I prepare my home for air duct cleaning?
How to Prepare for a Professional Duct Cleaning AppointmentClean Up Clutter Around Vents and Registers. ... Clear Space Around Your Furnace or Air Conditioner. ... Determine Where You'll Keep Pets. ... Decide Whether You'll Stay or Leave. ... Do a Walk-Through With the Duct Cleaning Specialists.More items...
What are the cons of duct cleaning?
Furnace duct cleaning consYour air filter(s) (should) already keep dust out of your ducts. If you don't see mold, insects/rodents or excessive dust coming from your vents then you may not need a duct cleaning. ... You risk damage to your ducts, if you don't hire the right contractor.
Will cleaning my air ducts make my house smell better?
Air Duct Cleaning Experts can help with this issue by providing services such as cleaning the vents on a regular basis. This will not only make your home smell better but also keep allergens out of the air which could be causing many people to suffer from allergies or asthma.
Does air duct cleaning improve airflow?
After testing 33 homes in Montreal before and after duct cleaning, the study found that there was no significant improvement in air quality and that duct cleaning alone did not improve airflow or energy efficiency. In some cases, measured particle levels actually increased immediately after a cleaning.
Does air duct cleaning make a mess?
Will Air Duct Cleaning Make A Mess Of My Home? No, it won't. If you hire a professional company to clean your air ducts, such as Dustless Duct, your home will be clean and tidy when they're done.
How do you check air ducts?
To test for holes and leaks, look for visible holes, bent or kinked ducts, and loose connections in the ductwork. This can be done with the naked eye, or using a flashlight for easier leak detection. The test further, turn on your HVAC system. Then grab a candle or incense stick and walk along the ducts.
Does Duct Cleaning improve airflow?
After testing 33 homes in Montreal before and after duct cleaning, the study found that there was no significant improvement in air quality and that duct cleaning alone did not improve airflow or energy efficiency. In some cases, measured particle levels actually increased immediately after a cleaning.
Can dirty air ducts make you sick?
In homes with dirty air ducts, occupants may experience symptoms that are similar to the symptoms of allergies, including coughing, sneezing, and runny nose. Mold, dust and other contaminants lurking in your ducts could also cause sore throat, headaches and even dizziness.
How long does it take to clean air ducts in a house?
two to three hoursHow Long Does Air Duct Cleaning Service Take? Air duct cleaning takes anywhere between an hour and a full day (or more, in commercial HVAC systems cleaning). A standard air duct cleaning would be two to three hours and would cover the HVAC unit, the main return, the vents in the rooms and the air ducts themselves.
What is duct cleaning?
NADCA recommends duct cleaning as part of an overall HVAC system cleaning that includes cleaning and replacing the air filter, cleaning grilles and diffusers, checking drain pans and drain lines for proper drainage, checking the heat exchanger and cooling coils, grills, furnace air plenum, blower motor, etc.
Why is the EPA not cleaning air ducts?
In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency states the “EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned except on an as-needed basis because of the continuing uncertainty about the benefits of duct cleaning under most circumstances.”
How does duct cleaning work?
Please understand that duct cleaning uses specialized tools to agitate and dislodge dirt in the ducts to make the dirt and other contaminants increasingly loose and airborne before they are vacuumed out. Sometimes the ducts are cut for tool access and needs to be carefully resealed.
How much does a blow and go duct cleaning cost?
They usually accompany an offer to assess or clean your home’s ducts for a very cheap price, say $49.95 or even less. As they often work on commission, they will try high-pressure sales techniques to sell you on expensive add-on services (mold testing, etc) or other service upgrades. They may try to charge for duct restoration, branch duct cleaning, etc. Some may even falsely claim they found mold in your ducts. Complaints abound about some unscrupulous “blow-and-go” companies using air fragrances, false mold tests showing positive results, handheld dust-buster vacuums, simple drills with brushes, etc.
What causes air ducts to be contaminated?
Air ducts can be contaminated with mold, bacteria, pollen, dust mites, chemical residue, and other household pollutants. A malfunctioning HVAC system, ineffective air filters, improperly installed ductwork, and moisture buildup all can cause air duct contamination. For example, if the vacuum hose/containment system is not sealed tightly ...
How to minimize risk of HVAC system cleaning?
How to Minimize Risk If You Are Going to Have Your HVAC System Cleaned. Start by selecting and using a qualified contractor. Duct and HVAC system cleaning that is performed by someone who is trained and certified by the National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA) has the best chance of being done safely.
What is an ASCS in HVAC?
According to NADCA, the major trade association for contractors doing air duct/HVAC system cleaning, its members need to have at least one certified Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) on staff and they are responsible to clean and restore a customer’s HVAC system accordance with the association’s standards and guidelines. 2
Why do we clean ducts?
The Environmental Protection Agency suggests four reasons you may need your ductwork cleaned: infestation, mold, mysterious illnesses and clogged ducts. The EPA does caution, however, that if a service provider does not follow proper duct-cleaning procedures, this can result in even poorer air quality. ...
What is duct cleaning?
Duct cleaning is the thorough cleaning of a home’s heating and cooling system components. These include any 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. That sounds like a lot, and it is, so in this article, we’ll do our best to explain who should get their ducts clean, and why.
Is duct cleaning a myth?
A magazine, The Family Handyman, considers duct cleaning to be a myth. In fact, it states, “Most homes never need duct cleaning.” But the trusted publication, Consumer Reports,cautions homeowners to think twice before paying for duct cleaning and states that the industry is rife with scams.
Can dust mites muck up air ducts?
That said, these factors don’t necessarily mean should move forward with a cleaning, unless there are people who suffer from asthma or other respiratory conditions, especially young children and the elderly.
Can you skip duct cleaning?
To summarize, unless your ductwork is clogged with vermin, ( rodents or insects ), excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles that are actually released into the home from your supply registers, you can probably skip the professional cleaning and use your hard-earned money for other things, like an American Shield Home Warranty that can help cover repairs or replacements of heating and a/c.
When to Get an Air Duct Cleaning
Commercial building owners may want to keep a regular air duct cleaning schedule to ensure a clean environment for the public. If you recently take over a building and don’t know the last time it had one, scheduling an air duct cleaning can provide peace of mind.
What to Look For in an Air Duct Cleaning Service
Although you should work with a professional, you need to be discerning with the service you choose. The benefits of air duct cleaning are best realized when more work is done, and a service company that only cleans ducts will not do enough to remedy any air problems caused by them.
Do HVAC filters need to be replaced?
Surely, that’s a reason to clean or replace your HVAC filters on a regular basis, but it’s not a strong argument for taking any further action.
Can you clean air ducts yourself?
Cleaning air ducts is not a do-it- yourself job. Even if you were inclined to do it, chances are good that you wouldn’t own the right tools, such as special rotary brushes and a high-powered vacuum. You’ll need to hire professionals, and the cost isn’t low.
Does air duct cleaning hurt?
Yes, air ducts get dusty. But while air duct cleaning doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t always help either. There are certainly occasions when it’s appropriate, but there are a lot of times when it’s simply not necessary.
Can you clean dust from ducts?
That said, the EPA does recommend cleaning air ducts if there is mold growth visible or if evidence points to an infestation by insects or rodents.
Can dust come through ductwork?
Dust that appears to be coming through ductwork may in fact be entering through that slim sliver of a gap. Bring in an HVAC technician to do an annual furnace cleaning. In the course of work, he will clean the furnace heat exchanger. If he finds that it’s not very dirty, in all likelihood the ducts aren’t either.
Your system and dust accumulation
The air duct system is the series of large tubes that draw new air to a home’s HVAC machinery through intake grills and send treated air back to the interior of the house through return grills.
How air duct cleaning works
Air duct cleaning services use a specialized vacuum and brushes to clean the inside of your ducts throughout the house to remove dust and other contaminants. The servicers claim that such cleaning will improve the air quality inside your home as well as the operating efficiency of your HVAC system.
Prevention is the best cure
The best way to prevent dirty ductwork is to keep your intake filters clean and to change them regularly. Catching the contaminants at the point of entry does far more to keep ducts clean than hiring an air duct cleaning service. For families battling respiratory ailments, a system employing HEPA air filters could be a much bigger help.
When might air duct cleaning be worthwhile?
Air duct cleaning might make sense in certain situations, such as when ducts are infested with animals or mold is present. If mold in ductwork is a problem, however, you should also have your HVAC system evaluated by a professional to determine what is causing the problem.
Why don't you need to clean ducts?
Don't assume that you need heating and cooling ducts cleaned unless you actually have excessive dust and debris or mold in them. Unless you have a problem, cleaning the ducts is not likely to improve air quality.
How much does it cost to clean ductwork?
How to clean ductwork. This is a job best left to the professionals. If you decide to have the ducts cleaned, be prepared to spend $350 to $1,000 for a thorough job that includes cleaning the entire heating and cooling system. Be wary of companies that offer “specials” for $100 or less, since they usually don’t do a complete job.
Does duct cleaning help indoor air quality?
But there hasn’t been any hard evidence to show that duct cleaning improves indoor air quality or prevents health problems, so we don’t routinely recommend it. Exceptions would be if you find mold growth inside the ducts (first eliminate the moisture that caused the mold), the ducts have become home to rodents or insects, ...
Do heavy window coverings save energy?
Usually, this is not true. While you may feel fewer drafts when you're near the window, the air between the cold window and the fabric cools and falls faster than the air in the rest of the room. So, if you like the look of cozy, heavy window coverings, consider it an aesthetic choice and not an energy-saving measure.
Do ceiling fans cool the air?
It feels like fans cool the room, but really, they don't. What they do cool is your skin, as long as the air temperature is below 90° F. Ceiling fans make you feel more comfortable, so you may require less air conditioning, but they don't cool the air itself. In fact, the ceiling fan motor actually generates heat!
Is duct cleaning necessary?
Many wonder if they should have their heating and cooling ducts cleaned so they can improve their home’s indoor air quality. But there hasn’ t been any hard evidence to show that duct cleaning improves indoor air quality or prevents health problems, so we don’t routinely recommend it. Exceptions would be if you find mold growth inside the ducts (first eliminate the moisture that caused the mold), the ducts have become home to rodents or insects, or the ducts are clogged by debris (usually from a remodeling project). To check for these problems, take off the register covers and shine a light down the duct as far as you can see.
