As a general rule, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends duct cleaning near Isle of Hope GA every 3 to 5 years. Air ducts are passageways that carry hot and cold air throughout the house. Like any other HVAC system, air ducts require regular maintenance to ensure maximum efficiency. With certain methods, the cleaning recommendation can be extended from 6 to 8 years. The accumulation of mold and other contaminants that cause allergic reactions may be a consideration for more immediate duct cleaning near Isle of Hope GA for the health of your home and family. You may consider cleaning the air ducts simply because it seems logical that the air ducts will get dirty over time and need to be cleaned from time to time.
As long as the 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 as needed. However, the EPA recommends that if you have an oven, stove or fireplace that burns fuel, that you inspect it for proper operation and be serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. The EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned except when necessary, due to constant uncertainty about the benefits of duct cleaning in most cases. However, the EPA recommends that if you have an oven, stove or fireplace that burns fuel, you inspect them for proper operation and that you check them before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.
Some research also suggests that cleaning dirty cooling coils, fans, and heat exchangers can improve the efficiency of heating systems and refrigeration. However, there is little evidence to indicate that simply cleaning the duct system will increase system efficiency. According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), every home's air ducts should be cleaned once every 3 to 5 years. This is what we consider to be “regular air duct cleaning”.
Because air ducts are one of the favorite places to hide dust, dirt, and allergens, those dirty ducts can cause more serious health problems, especially for people with respiratory conditions, autoimmune disorders, or asthma and allergies. Indoor air pollutants can also cause eye, nose and throat irritation, as well as headaches, dizziness and fatigue. Just by removing those everyday pollutants, cleaning air ducts can greatly improve indoor air quality. If that's not convincing enough, cleaning the air ducts will save you money in the long run.
Why? Contaminants in the heating and cooling system make it work harder and ultimately shorten the life of the system. Even with proper use of filters, the heating and cooling system gets dirty with normal daily use. When an air conditioning system is clean, you don't have to work as hard to maintain the desired temperature. As a result, less energy is used, reducing electricity bills. To maintain an efficient HVAC system, NADCA recommends inspecting air ducts at least once a year and cleaning them as needed.
Your professional air duct cleaner will be able to assess the condition of your air ducts and identify any problem areas (including leaks) during the inspection process. An annual evaluation can help avoid costly repairs in the future. When you're ready to fix those air ducts, it's a good idea to contact several local contractors and ask them to come to your home, inspect the system, and give you a quote. When choosing an air duct cleaning service provider, our most important advice for homeowners is to make sure they choose a qualified contractor to ensure that the job is done properly, one that is trained and certified for the task. NADCA members have technicians with advanced training and certification in cleaning HVAC systems, and membership requires them to follow high standards when it comes to customer service.
The NADCA makes it simple for homeowners to find an air duct cleaning professional. All you need is a zip code to search our online directory for a NADCA member in your area. Air ducts, like any other air conditioning system, require regular cleaning to ensure maximum efficiency. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends cleaning air ducts every three to five years.
However, in some environments, the need to clean commercial air ducts is more immediate. Food manufacturers, for example, require quarterly, biannual and annual duct cleaning services because of food particles that accumulate in their systems, leading to mold and pest problems. The same is true for manufacturing operations that create combustible dust risks. Air ducts and vents should be cleaned at least every 3 to 5 years, sometimes longer in hot, humid climates such as Florida.
Keeping a house clean, changing HVAC filters regularly, scheduling annual HVAC maintenance, and addressing moisture problems promptly can help keep air ducts cleaner and reduce the need for frequent professional cleaning. Air duct cleaning service providers may tell you that they must apply a chemical biocide inside the ducts to kill bacteria (germs) and fungi (mold) and prevent future biological growth. If you think duct cleaning might be a good idea for your home, but you're not sure, talk to a professional. However, the exact time to clean each air duct will vary depending on its location and what your specific HVAC system experiences over a given period of time.
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. However, homes with pets or children with allergies should have their air ducts cleaned by a professional more often than the recommended average. If you decide to clean the air ducts, take the same precautions as you would normally take to evaluate the competence and reliability of the service provider. Professional air duct cleaning generally involves the use of specialized blowers, vacuums, and brushes to clean supply, intake, and return ducts throughout the home. Whether you decide to clean the air ducts in your home or not, it's essential that you commit to following a good preventive maintenance program to minimize duct contamination.
Knowledge about cleaning air ducts is in its early stages, so a general recommendation cannot be given as to whether you should clean the air ducts in your home. Since the conditions in each home are different, it's impossible to generalize about whether cleaning your home's air ducts would be beneficial or not.
