Suffering from allergies or asthma? Mold, dust, pollen and other allergens can build up in your HVAC system over time – just like they do on other surfaces in your home. Lurking within the ductwork, these contaminants are distributed, returning no matter how much you vacuum or dust. Fortunately, cleaning air ducts tackles the problem at the source, dramatically improving air quality, and safeguarding your HVAC system.
How Air Duct Cleaning Improves Air Quality
Except for the air you let into your home through windows or doors, most of the air in your home is distributed via HVAC ductwork. Without a clean path for this air to take, it picks up irritants and contaminants, circulating them through your home. No matter how much you vacuum or dust, they’ll return, piling-up on home surfaces, and piling onto your list of cleaning duties, all-the-while collecting within your HVAC system, mucking-up your air filter, ductwork and coils. As time progresses, the contaminant buildup worsens, robbing your system of efficiency, and increasing maintenance needs.
(This is why after duct cleaning is performed, it is strongly recommended you let the professionals clean dust buildup in your home.)
Importance of Clean Air Ducts
Clean ducts offer a number of benefits…
- Reducing the Incidence of Allergies & Respiratory Ailments
Mold, mildew, dust, dust mites, dirt, pollen, dander and other particles settle in ductwork over time, spreading through the air during HVAC operation. Ductwork cleaning can remove this buildup, reducing the levels of these irritating triggers in the home. - Fighting Mold & Microbial Growth
The buildup of dust on ductwork surfaces offers a prime environment for the proliferation of mold, mildew, dust mites, bacteria and more. Regular duct cleaning reduces contaminant growth. - Decreasing Offensive Odors
Duct cleaning can eliminate or reduce offensive odors due to mold, mildew, and microbial growth, as well as those resulting from pest infestation in ductwork. - Boosting HVAC Efficiency
In cases of extreme dust buildup, cleaning ductwork has been shown to increase HVAC efficiency as much as 40%. - Prolonging HVAC System Life
The less resistance in air ducts from dust and debris, the smoother the operation and greater the efficiency and longevity of your system.
Do My Ducts Need Cleaning?
Duct cleaning supports indoor air quality, aiding those with respiratory issues by reducing irritants and contaminants within the home. The EPA suggests having ductwork cleaned when…
- Ducts show visible mold growth.
Common in homes with water damage, a known contributor to microbial accumulation and growth, ducts with visible signs of mold, mildew or slime require immediate attention. - Dust and debris visibly blows out of ductwork/registers.
A common situation following home remodeling or in residences with multiple pets, dust, cobwebs, hair and other debris flying out of registers while the HVAC system is in operation indicates ductwork in need of a good cleaning. - Ducts are clogged with debris.
Debris buildup not only offers a growth medium for microbes, which can be easily distributed via ductwork, negatively impacting air quality, but dramatically slows airflow, reducing efficiency. - Pests have invaded ducts.
Insects, rodents, and other pests nesting in ducts present a health and allergen risk, and should be rapidly removed.
If you cannot see inside your ducts, a trained HVAC technician or home remediation specialist can help you make this determination.
Can I Do-It Myself?
Duct cleaning requires the use of special chemicals, each dependent on the level and type of debris found in your system, for successful results. Because of this, duct cleaning needs must be determined by a trained technician, and performed when your home is unoccupied with the use of special containment barriers, air filters, ventilation and cleaning equipment, including specialized vacuums and brushes. Supply ducts, return ducts, air vents, and diffusers, your air filter, and even internal HVAC components must be addressed as well to ensure thorough cleaning results. Sub-par air duct cleaning has been shown to decrease the air quality in your home, and in some situations, result in air duct damage. Cleaning ductwork is not a DIY endeavor, and should only be performed by professionals certified by the National Air Duct Cleaning Association.
Post-rehab ductwork dilemmas? The trained professionals at Rainbow Restoration® have you covered. Learn more about residential air duct cleaning as well as commercial air duct cleaning and how it can help your home or business by scheduling an appointment online or by calling Rainbow Restoration.
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