If you see dust and dirt both inside and outside, especially on the ventilation grilles that expel cold air, your ducts will most likely need to be cleaned. 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.
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 the food particles they receive in their systems, leading to mold and pest problems.
The same is true for manufacturing operations that create combustible dust risks. The average duct system should be cleaned every two to five years. If your system is properly maintained and filters changed twice a year, you can increase the time between professional cleanings. If your system has never been cleaned and has been active on your property for more than three years, you will probably need to clean it.
Even a single station can accumulate enough dust and dirt in the system to make it less efficient than when it was first installed. Air ducts and vents should be cleaned at least every 3 to 5 years, sometimes longer in hot, humid climates such as Florida. A commercial air duct cleaning technician will be able to identify and fix any mold problem and help prevent it in the future. Knowledge about cleaning air ducts is in its early stages, so a general recommendation cannot be offered as to whether you should clean the air ducts in your home.
Dandruff and hair allergies can worsen during this period, but thorough duct cleaning can help improve indoor air quality and mitigate irritating symptoms. Be wary of air duct cleaning companies that offer unusually low rates or promise superfast service. Experts recommend cleaning air ducts every 2 or 3 years to avoid many maintenance and health problems before Start. Moisture can enter the duct system through leaks or if the system has been incorrectly installed or maintained.
Cleaning the ducts in late spring, when most plants have already blossomed, will help reduce respiratory tension in the home. 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. With that said, we would like to explain why spring and fall are the most popular times of the year for duct cleaning and why you should consider hiring a professional service during these seasons. However, there is little evidence that cleaning just the ducts will improve system efficiency.
Minimize machine downtime and maintain a clean and safe environment for your employees with an HVAC cleaning partner backed by a track record based on effort, integrity and commitment to excellent service. If you decide to clean your heating and cooling system, it's important to ensure that the service provider is committed to cleaning all components of the system and that they are qualified to do so. 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 that this will control the formation of mold or prevent the release of dirt particles or fibers from the ducts.
