On the other hand, if a service provider doesn't follow proper duct cleaning near Kiawah Island SC procedures, duct cleaning near Kiawah Island SC can cause indoor air problems. Knowledge about cleaning air ducts near Kiawah Island SC is in its early stages, so a general recommendation cannot be given as to whether you should clean the air ducts near Kiawah Island SC in your home. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urges you to read this document in its entirety, as it provides important information on the subject of duct cleaning near Kiawah Island SC. You may consider cleaning the air ducts near Kiawah Island SC simply because it seems logical that the air ducts near Kiawah Island SC would get dirty over time and should be cleaned from time to time. As long as the cleaning is done properly, there is no evidence to suggest that such cleaning near Kiawah Island SC is harmful. The EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned routinely, but only when necessary.
However, the EPA recommends that if you have an oven, stove or fireplace that burns fuel, you inspect them for proper operation and check them before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. In addition, the service provider may propose the application of chemical biocides, designed to eliminate microbiological contaminants, inside the ducts and in other components of the system. Some service providers may also suggest applying chemical treatments (sealants or other encapsulants) to encapsulate or cover the interior 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 researched and you should be well informed before deciding to allow the use of biocides or chemical treatments in air ducts.
If they are applied, they should only be applied after the system has been properly cleaned of all visible dust or dirt. On the other hand, if any member of your family has unusual or unexplained symptoms or illnesses that you think could be related to your home environment, you should discuss the situation with your doctor. The EPA has published the following publications as a guide to identifying potential indoor air quality problems and ways to prevent or address them. For example, an inadequate vacuum collection system can release more dust, dirt, and other contaminants than if the ducts had been left alone.
A careless or inadequately trained service provider can damage your heating and cooling system or ducts, which could increase heating and air conditioning costs or force you to perform difficult and costly repairs or replacements. The EPA does not recommend cleaning air ducts, 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, that you inspect it for proper operation and be serviced 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 and cooling systems.
However, there is little evidence to indicate that simply cleaning the duct system will increase system efficiency. If you think duct cleaning might be a good idea for your home, but you're not sure, talk to a professional. The company that services your heating and cooling system can be a good source of advice. You can also contact professional duct cleaning service providers and ask them about the services they provide. Remember that they are trying to sell you a service, so ask questions and insist on getting complete and well-informed answers.
A thorough visual inspection is the best way to verify the cleanliness of your heating and cooling system. Some service providers use remote photos to document conditions inside pipelines. All parts of the system must be visibly clean; you should not be able to detect any debris with the naked eye. Show the service provider the consumer checklist after cleaning before work begins. After completing the work, ask the service provider to show you each component of your system to verify that the work has been done in a satisfactory manner.
Experts agree that moisture should not be present in the ducts and, if there is moisture and dirt, there is a possibility that biological contaminants can grow and be distributed throughout the house. Controlling humidity is the most effective way to prevent biological growth in all types of air ducts. Questions remain about the safety, efficacy, and overall convenience of sealants. For example, little is known about the potential toxicity of these products under normal conditions of use or if they catch fire.
In addition, sealants have not yet been evaluated for resistance to deterioration over time, which could add particles to the duct air. Owning a home comes with a lot of responsibilities and it's easy to overlook issues you can't see, but dirty air ducts are a problem you might want to address. Learn more about best practices for maintaining your air ducts and keeping the symptoms of dirty air ducts at bay. These symptoms may be due to a build-up of debris, mold, and dirt in the air ducts. If dirty air ducts aren't cleaned and moldy, they can worsen pre-existing conditions and cause additional illnesses.
People with asthma and allergies are often the first to show symptoms that their air ducts are dirty. The ducts emit something like a dusty smell and sometimes look more like a burning smell. Some customers have told me that they can almost feel it on the tip of their tongue. Before choosing a duct cleaning company, you should ensure that it is certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) and the National Air Filtration Association (NAFA).
Air duct cleaning service providers can 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 no one in your household has allergies or unexplained symptoms or illnesses and if, after a visual inspection of the interior of the ducts, you see no sign that the air ducts are contaminated with large deposits of dust or mold (with no musty smell or visible mold growth), cleaning the air ducts may not be necessary. Some air duct cleaning service providers may tell you that they must apply a chemical biocide to the inside of the ducts to clean viruses, mold and bacteria, which can also prevent fungal growth. Cleaning air ducts yourself may seem cost-effective, but if you have mold or an insect infestation, it may be time to see a professional. 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.
Manufacturers of products marketed to coat and encapsulate duct surfaces claim that these sealants prevent dust and dirt particles inside air ducts from being released into the air. Whether you decide to clean your home's air ducts or not, it's essential to commit to a good preventive maintenance program to minimize duct contamination. Be wary of air duct cleaning companies that offer unusually low rates or promise superfast service. However, many modern residential air duct systems are built with fiberglass or sheet metal ducts lined inside with a fiberglass coating.
Whether or not you decide to clean your home's air ducts, it's essential to commit to a good preventive maintenance program to minimize duct contamination. Most organizations that deal with duct cleaning, including 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.
