Is Duct Cleaning a Waste of Money?

Duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system elements of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans, fan motor and fan housing, and the air.

Duct cleaning contractors use large, portable or truck mounted vacuum collection machines to suck smut and debris out of your ductwork. First they must fasten the vacuum collection device’s large pipe to a duct close to the air handler- the heart of your HVAC system. The typical duct cleaning process approximately takes 2 to 4 hours of a single family consisting of at least two technicians. People having pets in their homes or those who are living in older homes may take a long time to clean. A professional air duct cleaning eliminates the dirt and debris. An odor oxidizer can be applied to breakdown any remaining chemicals that cause smoke odors.

Many people ask this question that they want to know is air duct cleaning a complete waste of money? The National institute of health says there is no enough proof to determine if duct cleaning actually improves inner air quality (IAQ).The ductwork in your heating and cooling system continuously collects dirt, dust and debris while idle and while in operation. So it means that it has very harmful consequences on your health when you turn your system on. Because those particles can spread around in your surroundings and eventually impact your health. Air ducts frequently contain destructive contaminants and micro-organisms too.  These comprise pet dander, bacteria, pollen, mold and mildew, and similar toxic agents. People who are suffering from allergies, asthma, TB etc are mostly sensitive to these airborne particles. If the residents of your home are young children, adults or infants who stay at home, family members or individuals with allergies, asthma or chronic illness, then regular cleaning must be integral to keep these at risk individuals safe and free of all allergens, dirt, and debris. A periodic air duct cleaning promotes healthy living otherwise the dirt and debris in your home just keeps hovering over and over.

There are many factors that contribute to stale smells in the air ducts. For instance, pets, household cleaning agents, paint fumes, mold, tobacco use and even food preparation etc. It is highly recommended to clean your ducts every two to three years. Usually every time the furnace or air conditioner is running, these odors will continuously flow through the house. When the dust and debris starts accumulating on your ductwork it can lead to a musty scent coming from the ductwork. Detailed cleaning of the air ducts removes all the dust and odor trapping particles, resulting in a fresher smelling home.

If you choose to not clean your air ducts, air quality will reduce over time as debris collects in your duct system. There are numerous harmful items that can begin to grow in your ducts and create health issues for you and your family. Here are some of the side effects of not cleaning your vents:

• Mold and mildew development.

• Growth of fungus.

• Asthma, sickness or flu.

• Allergy symptoms.

Here are some signs you should have your ducts clean sooner or later:

• Finding mold: If you found mold or mildew in your air ducts, you should immediately get your ducts cleaned to keep your home safe. In this situation professionals can help you out of both mold removal and air duct cleaning.

• Finding Pests: If you found pests inside your home, chances are there that they are abiding in your duct system to get around. Air duct cleaning can remove the organic matter that pests leave behind.

• Dust and debris: Discovering dust and debris constantly in your home is a alarming situation that your ducts should be clean sooner or later.

• Pets: If you have pets, you have dander and fur in your home. Your duct system sucks this dander and fur, spreading germs, allergens and odor which is very unbearable.

There is numerous misleading information about duct cleaning on the internet. It’s easy to get confused by such wrong information. It’s a frequently asked question if duct cleaning is a waste of money? The answers to this question may vary widely. Duct cleaning is only waste of money if you use wrong company or unprofessional technicians. Moreover, professional duct cleaners use typical brushes, vacuums and specially designed blowers to clean the ducts throughout your home. Duct cleaning should be detailed, and should include cleaning of the coils, air handler, housings, registers, motors, grilles and fans of the system.

Another reason for duct cleaning is renovation to the home. Whether you’ve just bought a new home and you have been there for a while it’s time to update it, duct cleaning should be an integral part when you have finished the renovations. This is not something you want to breathe in .Duct cleaning after the work is a fantastic way to finish the process. The preferred process includes using negative air pressure and high-pressure air whips to clean every inch of your duct system. This process is highly effective, will not let anything escape into the home, and produces the best results.