Air Ducts
Choosing a Residential Air Duct Cleaning Service
Considering air duct cleaning services?
There are health benefits for all residents from regularly cleaning the HVAC System and it's air ducts.
Heating and air conditioning systems collect mold, fungi, bacteria and a variety of contaminants that reduce the quality of the air residents and visitors breathe. A dirty air duct contributes to poor indoor air quality and affects the health of people in the residence.
The purpose of residential air duct cleaning is to remove these contaminants from a home's HVAC system to get the best indoor air quality.
The most effective way to clean an air duct system is to use a specialized, powerful vacuum which puts the air duct / ventilation system under negative pressure. While the vacuum draws air through the system, devices are inserted into the ducts to dislodge contaminants and debris from the interior surfaces, moving the contaminants/debris from the home's air ducts and ventilation systems into the vacuum.
Vacuum collection alone does not clean the HVAC system. Brushes, air whips, "skipper balls" and other tools that agitate contaminants and debris scrub the surfaces within the air duct system and propels contaminants and debris into the vacuum collection device(s).
Anti-microbial chemical sanitizers are applied to the interior surface of the air ducts to control microbial contamination...but before sanitizers are used, the system should be thoroughly cleaned. All anti-microbial chemicals used must be EPA registered for use in HVAC systems. Ask to see the chemical's Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). If you are still concerned, call the EPA at 1-800-438-4318. There are no EPA registered anti-microbial products for use on porous system surfaces - such as fiberglass surfaces.
When sanitizing air ducts you want to make sure the air duct cleaning company uses safe; effective EPA approved products that are safe for people, pets, and the environment. An atomizer fogs the sanitizing product throughout the entire ventilation system.
Allergic people, infants and elderly are especially sensitive to the microbes that cause respiratory problems like bacteria, mildew, fungi algae and dust mites which require a highly-effective sanitizer to eliminate odor-causing microorganisms as well contaminants associated with allergies, mildew and bacterial growth. Make sure the sanitizer is rated by the EPA as a category IV product with the lowest toxicity rating. Sanitizing air ducts means toxicity and safety safeguards that establish and ensure there are no harmful dermal (skin), ocular (eyes), inhalation (breathing) or ingestion (swallowing) effects from the products.
There are two popular types of vacuum collection systems...those mounted on trucks and trailers versus portable units. Truck/trailer mounted equipment is generally more powerful than portable equipment. By contrast, portable equipment often can be brought directly into a facility, locating the vacuum closer to the ductwork. Both types of equipment clean to air duct industry standards. Vacuum units should be attached to a collection device for safe containment prior to disposal. A vacuum collection device which exhausts indoors must be HEPA (high efficiency particulate arrestance) filtered.
The US EPA says that "duct cleaning services" typically range in cost from $450 to $1000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned, system accessibility, climatic region, level of contamination" and type of duct material.
Consumers should also beware of "blow-and-go" air duct cleaning companies that charge low fees and do a poor job of cleaning the heating and cooling system. These companies also try to persuade consumers into unneeded services or provide service without the consumer's permission.
*Make sure the company is a member in good standing of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA).
*Get proof that the company is properly licensed and adequately insured.
*Make sure that the company is going to clean and visually inspect all of the air ducts and related system components.
*Avoid advertisements for "$99 whole house specials" and other sales gimmicks.
Find out as much as you can about the air duct cleaning company before you hire the company.
*Ask the company to display proof of NADCA membership and certification?
*Ask the contractor to provide you with the means to conduct a visual inspection at any time during the cleaning? (Mirror and flashlight, camera or other remote visual systems.)
*Ask the contractor if it will be cleaning the complete system, including coils and fans?
*Ask the contractor to give you a guaranteed price before the inspection.
Remember, we are breathing millions of germ-carrying dust and mold particles from air ducts that cause allergies, asthma--even terminal illnesses. In all homes, the air ducts gather dust, dirt, human skin flakes and pet dander, becoming holding cells for allergens, mold spores, germs and other contaminants. The problem begins even before you move into a newly-built home, with the buildup of drywall dust, sawdust and other debris in ducts that provide a perfect environment for the growth of germs and allergens. This problem worsened in the 1970's, as new construction techniques made buildings more tightly sealed, which restricts the flow of fresh air. Every day, families breathe air that is continually circulated through contaminated ductwork by your HVAC system.
The best way to determine if the air duct cleaning was effective is to ask for a visual inspection of the system before and after cleaning. If any dust or debris can be seen during the visual inspection, you didn't get what you paid for. A certified, professional air duct cleaning contractor should be able to give you access to inspect system components; using specialized inspection tools when necessary.
Avoid incredible low $79 whole house prices and coupons. They are likely not to have the proper equipment, training or even the intention of providing real results. Improper air duct cleaning can cause health problems for your family. If the price is too good to be true; it probably is.
Get your air ducts cleaned properly and enjoy these benefits:
Health
According to the EPA, indoor air is found to be up to 70 times more polluted than outdoor air. Air duct cleaning removes airborne contaminates such as bacteria, fungus, mold spores, pet dander & pollen which may help to alleviate allergy & asthma symptoms.
Extended Equipment Life
9 out of 10 system failures are caused by dirt and dust according to the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service. One of the functions of the fan, located inside of your air handler, is to keep the heat exchanger cool. Accumulated dirt and debris can reduce the CFM (cubic feet of air per minute) as much as 50%! This is the most common cause of cracks in heat exchangers. Having your HVAC system cleaned may prevent pre-mature breakdown & aging of your heating and cooling system.
Reduce Dusting
Air duct cleaning helps to reduce household dust by removing the dust where it travels most - through your air duct system.
Energy Savings
According to the EPA, a buildup of only .042 inches of dirt on a heating coil can result in a decrease of efficiency of 21%. A clean air conveyance system may help to increase efficiency and therefore may help to reduce heating and cooling costs.
About the Author
An air duct cleaning in Maryland provides a video camera to allow you to see inside your home or office heating and air conditioning air ducts for before and after visual inspection.
What's lurking in your air ducts? You might be surprised...
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