Do you really need to clean air ducts?

Duct Cleaning near Holden Beach NC is not considered a necessary part of the annual maintenance of your heating and cooling system, which consists of regular maintenance. Yes, duct cleaning near Holden Beach NC is very important to reduce allergens, dust and other contaminants. For people with allergies or respiratory problems, regular duct cleaning near Holden Beach NC can dramatically improve air quality. The recommended frequency is every three to five years, although this varies depending on specific household factors, such as pets, allergies or recent renovations. Allergy and asthmatics, as well as young children and the elderly, tend to be more susceptible to the types of poor indoor air quality that cleaning the air ducts can help address.

You may consider cleaning the air ducts simply because it seems logical that the air ducts will get dirty over time and, from time to time, need to be cleaned. Most organizations that deal with duct cleaning, such as the EPA, NADCA, NAIMA, and the National Association of Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors (SMACNA), do not currently recommend the routine use of sealants to encapsulate contaminants in any type of duct. However, the best solution is to perform routine maintenance, install the right filtration and purification system, and ensure that the ducts are properly sealed before you worry about the prices of cleaning the air ducts and the clean treatment of the air ducts in your heating and cooling systems. To find companies that provide duct cleaning services, check the yellow pages on duct cleaning or contact the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) at the address and phone number listed in the information section at the end of this guide. While some duct cleaning companies include a microbial spray as part of cleaning air ducts, this is a temporary solution for central air ducts.

However, the frequency with which air ducts are cleaned can vary considerably depending on several factors, such as the climate where you are, if there are allergic people in the house, if you have pets or if there have been recent renovations to your home. Oliver says that while it's not uncommon for homeowners to try to clean their air ducts themselves, cleaning the air ducts is a task best left to professionals. You may consider cleaning the air ducts simply because it seems logical that the air ducts would get dirty over time and should be cleaned from time to time. If you currently have problems with airflow, hot or cold spots, or lack of heating or cooling in your home, duct cleaning isn't a permanent solution.

When service providers come to your home, ask them to show you the contamination that would justify cleaning the ducts. Fox agrees that duct cleaning isn't a job for DIYers, and adds that it can cause damage if not done properly. Andy Fox, a filtration and indoor air quality specialist at 3M, points out that if you see mold, pests or excessive dust in the ducts, you should always identify and remedy the underlying cause, in addition to cleaning the ducts. Air duct cleaning services, air duct cleaning and disinfection services, and heater grille cleaning are an excellent solution for certain household needs. Regardless of 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 prevent pollution (see How to Prevent Duct Contamination).

Raymond Zephyr
Raymond Zephyr

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