What is Air Duct Cleaning?

Air Conditioning Units and Duct Cleaning

Air duct cleaning is becoming more and more popular however, it is not a recommended service for air quality improvement and it is not considered necessary as routine maintenance every year. You can hire a home air duct cleaning contractor to clean and maintain your air ducts as often as you want, as long as the service is completed properly, it will not harm your home, ducts or HVAC system .

If you have received a coupon in the mail or a telemarketing call from an air duct cleaning company, you may be wondering what air duct cleaning is all about. These companies claim that air duct cleaning will improve the quality of your indoor air, but is it worth the costs? This article will attempt to explain air duct cleaning and the pros and cons associated with having this service done.

The quality of air we breath is such a big concern these days. There are services all out there that are touting the benefits of clean air. By now you have likely seen or heard the ads promoting air duct cleaning and the benefits of removing mold, dirt, pollen and more from your air duct work.

Service can range anywhere from $100, all the way up to $100. This of course is all depending on the level of services offered, the type and size of the system to be cleaned, climatic region, and the level of contamination. Regional differences in prices can be dramatic.

Air duct cleaning in Atlanta generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the hot and cold air supply and return air ducts and registers, heat exchangers, heating and cooling coils, condensation drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.

Over time, because of the air flow, and the possible moisture conditions from the heat and the cold air, you may experience growth. According to the EPA; "…if moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth (e.g., mold) is increased and spores from such growth may be released into the home’s living space. Some of these contaminants may cause allergic reactions or other symptoms in people if they are exposed to them."

When choosing a company to clean your air ducts, make sure you know up front what the costs are and what that includes. For example, a house without air conditioning does not have a cooling coil (a-coil), while another house might not have an air exchanger. Don’t let them charge you for something you don’t have.

Some companies claim to clean all the air duct work, but fail to mention that they do not clean the hot and cold air returns. Make sure any company you hire includes this in their service. Typically, the cold air return is the dirtiest part of your air ducts. If you do not take care of this you run the risk of re contaminating the system.

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Benefits Of Air Duct Cleaning

Air duct cleaning is becoming more and more popular however, it is not a recommended service for air quality improvement and it is not considered necessary as routine maintenance every year. You can hire a home air duct cleaning contractor to clean and maintain your air ducts as often as you want, as long as the service is completed properly, it will not harm your home, ducts or HVAC system. Cleaning air ducts can improve your HVAC efficiency; however, it may not be as effective as a service check on your HVAC unit itself.

With the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimating that most people spend between 60 and 90 percent of their time indoors, the need for fresh, clean air is very clear. Understanding the need and meeting it, however, can be two very different things. Fortunately, there are many simple things people can do to enjoy fresher and healthier air inside their homes. From looking into air duct cleaning services to developing a good cleaning routine, most steps involved in enjoying fresher air are fairly simple to employ.

Many believe air duct cleaning is as important as having clean running water. Buildings that don’t have proper working air ducts can have air that feels and smells musty. Air duct cleaning is one task that when performed, can help keep the indoor air safe and clean for residents to breathe. If ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris these pollutants are actually released into the home and of course breathed by the occupants.

Home owners are beginning to realize air duct cleaning is an important part of home maintenance and is essential to keeping their indoor air healthy. If you were to do a particle study of the house, you would realize that there are many kinds of microscopic items in the air, and that these items can get trapped in your ducts. If lived in a metropolitan area like Atlanta, you could be scrambling to find an Atlanta air duct cleaning company .

Home owners should be aware that the air duct cleaning industry is not a federally regulated industry so it is very easy for people to get into business using substandard equipment, and inexperienced laborers and/or subcontractors. Most state and local authorities place no requirements on licensing or certifications. When you proceed to getting your ducts cleaned, you have to rely on references and word of mouth.

Air duct cleaning can prevent health issues that relate to air quality and is becoming one of the ways people with health issues work to improve their overall indoor air quality and quality of life. Many people simply feel a proper air duct cleaning is well worth it, and a part of normal household maintenance.

It is important to have a professional take a look at your systems occasionally to make sure everything is clean and working well. Certainly if the above problems are prevalent, it is definitely time to go ahead and schedule a cleaning. Make sure the professionals you hire to clean them are licensed. If they claim that there is mold, have them show it to you and figure out a way to prevent the mold from growing again.

Another time to get air ducts cleaned is if you notice a change in your power bill, or you notice a change in the air flow. Any kinds of restrictions can cause these changes, and they can be rectified with a good service technician. If you do decide to have your air ducts cleaned, take the same consumer precautions you normally would in assessing the service provider’s competence and reliability.

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