If you've been putting off cleaning your air ducts, it's time to take a look at the benefits of doing so. From improved air quality to reduced energy costs, there are many advantages to duct cleaning. Knowledge about duct cleaning is still in its early stages, so it's important to understand the potential benefits and risks before making a decision. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that you read up on the subject before deciding whether or not to clean your home's air ducts.
While duct cleaning has never been proven to actually prevent health problems, it can improve overall air quality and reduce allergens. It can also improve system efficiency and reduce energy costs. It's important to note that dirty air ducts are just one of many possible sources of particulate matter that are present in homes. Pollutants that enter the home from both outdoor and indoor activities, such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or just moving, can cause greater exposure to pollutants than dirty air ducts. In addition, there is no evidence that a small amount of household dust or other particles in air ducts poses any health risk. Before cleaning, reconditioning, or replacing the ducts, the cause or causes must be corrected, or else the problem is likely to reappear.
Some research suggests that cleaning the components of the heating and cooling system (e.g., fans and heat exchangers) may improve system efficiency. However, there is little evidence that cleaning only the ducts improves system efficiency. You may want to consider cleaning your air ducts simply because it seems logical that the air ducts will get dirty over time and should be cleaned from time to time. As long as cleaning is done properly, there is no evidence to suggest that such cleaning is harmful. The EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned routinely, but only when necessary. If you decide to have your air ducts cleaned, take the same consumer precautions you would normally take when evaluating the competence and reliability of the service provider.
Whether you decide to clean your home's air ducts or not, preventing water and dirt from entering the system is the most effective way to avoid contamination. If you decide to clean your heating and cooling system, it's important to make sure that the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so. Some service providers may also suggest applying chemical treatments (sealants or other encapsulants) to encapsulate or cover the inner surfaces of air ducts and equipment housings because they believe they will control mold growth or prevent the release of dirt particles or fibers from the ducts. These practices have not yet been thoroughly investigated and you should be fully informed before deciding to allow the use of biocides or chemical treatments in your air ducts.
Knowledge about the potential benefits and potential problems of air duct cleaning is limited
. Since the conditions in every home are different, it's impossible to generalize about whether cleaning your home's air ducts would be beneficial or not.On the other hand, if family members have unusual or unexplained symptoms or illnesses that you think might be related to your home environment, you should discuss the situation with your doctor. The EPA has published several publications for guidance on how to identify potential indoor air quality problems and ways to prevent or fix them. You might consider cleaning your air ducts simply because it seems logical that they will get dirty over time and should be cleaned from time to time. While there is still debate over whether regular duct cleaning is beneficial or not, there is no evidence to suggest that such cleaning is harmful when done properly. On the other hand, if a service provider fails to follow proper duct cleaning procedures, it can cause indoor air problems. For example, an inadequate vacuum collection system can release more dust, dirt, and other contaminants than if the ducts had been left alone.
If you think duct cleaning might be a good idea for your home then consider consulting with an expert who can help you make an informed decision.
