Should You Have The Air Ducts In Your Home Cleaned?
As awareness of the importance of indoor air quality grows, more people are looking at duct cleaning as one way to solve indoor air quality problems. If not properly installed, maintained, and operated, the components of your heating and cooling system may become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen, or other debris. If moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth (i.e. mold) is increased and spores from such growth may be released into the home’s living space. Some of these contaminant may cause allergic reactions or other symptoms in people if they are exposed to them. The key to preventing air duct pollution problems is being diligent about HVAC system maintenance.
Along with duct cleaning you should also have your air ducts checked periodically for leaks. Leaking ducts cause up to 27% of the losses of heating and cooling, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. This loss causes you to enjoy less of the heating and cooling available from your system and also raises your monthly utility bills. After the short pay back period, you continue to gain more comfort and lower bills each month.
What Exactly is Air Duct Cleaning?
Air duct cleaning is the physical cleaning of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system components including ducts, air terminals (supply and return), heat exchangers (heating and cooling coils), condensate drains and pans, fan motors and housings, system filters, and air handling unit housing. Methods of duct cleaning may vary, although typically, a service provider will use specialized tools to dislodge dirt and other debris in ducts, then vacuum them out with a high-powered vacuum cleaner.
When having your air ducts cleaned make sure that your service provider cleans the whole air handling system not just the ducts. Failure to clean a component of a contaminated system can result in re-contamination of the entire system, thus negating any potential benefits.
Health and Environmental Effects of Poor Air Quality
- Asthma, rhinitis, sinusitis, and allergic respiratory disease
- Excessive mold, bacteria, dust, dirt, and smoke
- Increased utility bills (decreased air flow)
- Unpleasant fumes and odors
Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning
- Kills germs and bacteria
- Helps remove dust in your home
- Improve your systems efficiency
- Makes your home or business smell clean and fresh
- Recommended by doctors and allergists
You can contact a Coolray Heating and Cooling professional to check for leaks and/or to provide duct cleaning.
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