Air Duct Cleaning-Should You Do It?

Many homeowners are weary of having their HVAC duct work cleaned. Check out this article and learn some of the basics of having your ducts cleaned and what to exepect.
By: Chris Leber
 
Jan. 31, 2011 - PRLog -- Thank you for joining us for yet another informative article by Professional Home Referrals-Air Duct Cleaning.

The typical homeowner is generally unaware of the need to clean the duct work throughout their home to ensure better air quality.  Although, some homeowners may realize there is a need to clean the duct work throughout the home but not quite sure how to do it or what to expect from a service provider who does clean duct work.  We are going to start with a quick introductory video from Dateline NBC's Chris Hansen.  Take a look.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/41283154#41283154

Make you want to hire a professional?  Take a look at www.prohomereferrals.com to see how we can help.

Not only will having your air ducts cleaned improve the efficiency of your HVAC system, it will improve the quality of air you breathe as well.  You should be cautious when a service provider indicates to you that a chemical sealer or chemical biocide needs applied to the inside of the ducts.  Fully understand what the chemicals are and what they do before allowing application.

During a cleaning, when done properly, all components of the system will be cleaned including supply and return ducts, grills, registers, diffusers, heating and cooling coils, fan motors and housings,  and condensate drain pans.  Typically high power vacuum cleaners are used to clean out the ducts.  All components need to be cleaned as to not contaminate the system after cleaning.  See diagram of a typical home HVAC system.

http://prohomereferrals.com/images/airducts_components_lg...
Click for larger view.

Typically if your air ducts are not showing signs of large particle contamination, this cleaning is not usually required.  A good indication though is if someone in the home has allergies that worsen and experiences a more difficult time breathing.

Things to Watch Out For!  

-You should be weary of contractors that make claims that cleaning your duct work will lead to a healthier lifestyle.  There is not concrete evidence to substantiate these assumptions.
-Contractors claiming to be certified or endorsed by the EPA.  The EPA does not establish standards nor does it provide certifications.
-Do not allow the use of chemicals unless you fully understand the pros and cons of each chemical.  Make sure you see the labels of the chemicals being used.  Snap a few photos of the labels as well for documentation.
-Find out exactly how long the duct cleaning will take to ensure if your home activities will be interrupted.  Find out what the total scope of the work is.  Typically this work will take 3-4hrs for a normal sized house when done properly.
-Equipment used should contain HEPA filters and vent properly to the outside.
-Be sure to verify if any of the duct work lining or insulation is asbestos containing.  Many pre 1978 homes contain duct work with asbestos coatings and linings.  An asbestos professional will need to be consulted before the duct work should be disturbed in any way to determine if additional action is required.
-Before the contractor leaves your home, you should thoroughly inspect all components that were mentioned earlier and indicated in the diagram to ensure proper cleaning.  Inspect any new access panels that had to be installed to ensure proper installation and no leakage occurs.  The service provider should review all work that was completed and that the system operates as it did before the cleaning.
-Typical cost is between $400-$1,000 depending on the size of system and number of components.

One of the most important things you can do as a homeowner and as regular maintenance is change your filters as needed.  They should be free from debris and defects.  Vacuuming your house on a regular basis will remove excess dust as well.

Thank you for joining us and we hope you gained an understanding of what to be on the lookout for when considering a duct cleaning and what to expect.

For more information in regards to how Professional Home Referrals can help you out, visit us online at www.prohomereferrals.com or via email at info@prohomereferrals.com

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PHR provides a FREE service to homeowners to help help them find quality, dependable contractors. The benefit is that it saves time, money and gives the homeowner piece of mind they are receiving quality service.
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Source:Chris Leber
Email:***@prohomereferrals.com Email Verified
Zip:45066
Tags:HVAC, Hvac Duct Work Cleaning, Contractor, Remodel, Ductwork, Hepa
Industry:Home
Location:Springboro - Ohio - United States
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