AirDuct Cleaning

We are careful about the food we eat, we are careful about the water we drink , we are even careful about the car we drive and the clothes we wear. But seldom are we careful of that one thing we simply cannot do without – the air we breathe. To ensure that we breathe easier, it is necessary that we have the air ducts in our property cleaned. Air ducts are utilized in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning to deliver and remove air, thereby ensuring acceptable indoor air quality as well as thermal comfort. Not only do clean air ducts make for a healthier living environment , they also increase the efficiency of heating and cooling systems, thereby resulting in longer operating life and maintenance cost savings.

Duct cleaning refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, condensate drain pans, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing. If these components are not installed and maintained properly, they may acc**ulate dust, pollen and debris, with the potential for microbiological growth (mold) if there is moisture. These may then be released into the living space causing allergic reactions or other symptoms in the people exposed to them. Although the EPA does not specify duct cleaning under normal circ**stances, it does recommend that if you have a fuel burning furnace, stove, or fireplace, they be inspected for proper functioning and serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. Cleaning of the air ducts can help achieve that.

You should have the air ducts in your home cleaned if:

There is a lot of mold growth inside hard surface ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system. It should be noted that positive identification of mold requires laboratory expertise. You can collect a small sample of the offending substance and send it to a microbiology laboratory for analysis .

The ducts are infested with vermin, e.g. (rodents or insects).

There is a lot of acc**ulated dust and debris in the ducts that are gradually getting released into the home environment .

Air duct cleaning can be carried out by qualified professionals using specialized equipment . You should ensure that when you sign a contract for duct cleaning, all components of the affected system are covered. Failure to clean even a single component can result in re-contamination of the entire system, thus negating any potential benefits.

The professional firms generally use specialized tools to dislodge dirt and other debris in ducts, after which a vacuum cleaner is used to remove them. Often , chemical biocides, designed to kill microbiological contaminants, are also used. Some firms also recommend the use of chemical treatments like sealants to encapsulate or cover the inside surfaces of the air ducts and equipment housings for a permanent solution to mold growth. You must be fully informed before you allow the use of such chemicals in your home.