Is Getting Your Air Ducts Cleaned Necessary?

The cleanliness of your air ducts can mean the difference between healthy, non-allergenic air and something like a toxic gas cloud with many disgusting bits of debris floating around that make you and your pets sneeze and choke. Air-duct cleaning is the cleaning of all heating and cooling components of a forced-air system. These components include:

• Supply and return air ducts and registers
• Heat exchangers
• Drip pans
• Fan housing
• Housing of air-handling unit

The cleaning process involves the removal of dust, pollen, and pet dander particles as well as other forms of debris. Air-duct cleaning also includes moisture removal to prevent mildew and mold growth.

When carrying out an air-duct cleaning job, make sure all components are clean. If one element is still contaminated, the entire system is at risk of re-contamination.

There are many air-duct cleaning methods, but all of them have to adhere to industry standards. Most cleaning methods involve debris and dirt dislodging and removal via a high-powered vacuum. The cleaning process also can include the application of chemical biocides to kill microbiological contaminants like mold inside the duct work.

Air-duct cleaning is critical in the maintenance of an HVAC system and should preferably be carried out by a service provider certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA.)

[activecampaign form=3]

What are the Benefits of Air-Duct Cleaning?

Since heating and cooling systems and household conditions differ, it is not possible to make definitive statements about the benefits of air-duct cleaning. That said, advantages can result from cleaning your air ducts on a regular basis.

Improves Indoor Air Quality

By removing contaminants, pollutants, allergens, and microbiological particles from your air ducts, you prevent them from being transported into your home’s air via the ventilation system.

Heating and cooling systems also tend to circulate indoor pollutants like tobacco smoke, radon, and mold while combining them with higher humidity in the process, which can intensify the effect they have on allergies.

Improves Indoor Comfort

If your HVAC system is dirty, debris can build up and restrict airflow which, in turn, can reduce the effectiveness of the system. When your HVAC system is not functioning optimally, it can influence your indoor temperature and comfort levels.

When the air ducts are clean, your system will have no problem maintaining the desired temperature levels.

Improves Efficiency

Another benefit of cleaning your system’s air ducts and removing obstructions is improved efficiency. The result is a lower energy level requirement and, ultimately, a lower energy bill.

When Should You Consider Getting Your Air Ducts Cleaned?

As a rule, you don’t have to worry about cleaning your air ducts if they are not dirty. Many homeowners don’t have air-duct cleaning on their monthly maintenance activity list, which is perfectly fine if there are no problems with allergies, energy efficiency, and the like.

There are, however, times when you should consider having your HVAC system’s air ducts cleaned.

After a Renovation Project

During a renovation project, asbestos abatement, paint, and dust can contaminate your HVAC system’s air ducts, especially if you forgot to seal off the ducts for the duration of the project.

Upon completion of the remodeling project, contact a certified service provider to clear harmful contaminants before you use the system.

Mold

Mildew and mold growth can be particularly detrimental to the indoor air quality of your home and your household members’ health. If mold development is visible inside the duct work. or elsewhere around your HVAC system, have your system cleaned as soon as possible.

Contaminants

If upon cleaning the system’s registers, you notice that the system visibly releases large particles into your indoor air, your air ducts may need cleaning as well.

Animals

Critters like mice that infested your HVAC system can hurt the cleanliness of your indoor air. Contact your service provider to remove the animals and clean your HVAC system’s air ducts.

Health Problems

If you or a member of your household suffer from allergies, and you’ve taken steps to decontaminate your home without success, it may be time for a thorough AC duct cleaning. If you’ve taken care of all the contamination sources in and around your home, the chances are that your HVAC system is the culprit.

What to Expect from an Air-Duct Cleaning Service Provider?

Cleaning the air ducts of a heating and cooling unit is a technical task that requires a degree of skill and experience. Although you may not have expertise in air-duct cleaning, you can still make sure that your air-duct cleaning service provider gives your system a thorough air-vent cleaning.

To clean your system thoroughly, the air-duct cleaning service provider should do the following:

• Open all ports and doors of your system so they can carry out a thorough inspection.
• Conduct a pre-cleaning inspection to make sure that there are no materials that consist of asbestos in the system. If there is asbestos, the service provider should follow the prescribed procedure to remove the material. If they are not licensed to remove the material, they should contact a contractor who is licensed.
• Extract all contaminants to the exterior of the building. If the service provider vacuums the contaminants to the interior, the provider should use True HEPA equipment.
• Take steps to protect your furniture and flooring from debris during the cleaning process.
• Brush duct surfaces in a controlled manner in combination with contact vacuuming to dislodge accumulated debris.
• Brush fiberglass duct boards and sheet-metal ducts lined with fiberglass with soft-bristled brushes.
• Take steps to ensure the protection of the duct work. The service provider should also reseal and insulate any access holes they made to clean the air ducts.
• Follow the National Air Duct Cleaners Association’s standards to carry out the vent cleaning process.

Finding a reputable service provider that is affordable and certified to clean your air ducts can be challenging. If you live in Humble, TX, however, Cruz Air and Electric’s team is standing by to provide you with a high-quality and efficient air-duct cleaning service.

Contact Cruz Air and Electric today for a free quote.