Air Duct Cleaning: What You Should Know
You should have the air ducts in your home cleaned because the ductwork and other components of the heating and air conditioning system can be full of dust, pollen, or even mold or other spores, if moisture is present. These can present a health hazard, so it is very important to get the ductwork cleaned if there are any indications that it is necessary. One very important indication that you need to get your ducts cleaned is the presence of visible mold. Another indication is vermin, such as rodents or insects. If you can see a large amount of dust or other debris, you should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned.
You may be wondering why you should even consider air duct cleaning. Did you know that up to forty pounds of dust can accumulate in your home every year? Imagine how much dust is in those ducts if you don't' even know the last time the ventilation system in your home was cleaned! An HVAC system's ventilation works by recirculating the air in your home, which means that all the dust and other contaminants in your home are being circulated around your house over and over again. Combining that with the dust and pollen and other contaminants we bring in to our homes, having your air ducts cleaned can contribute greatly to the overall air quality in your home. Having the air ducts in your home cleaned can also be beneficial to your budget. The contaminants in the ventilation in your home can cause its HVAC system to have to work much harder, thus utilizing more energy. Because 25 to 40 percent of the energy used to heat and cool a home is wasted energy, having the air ducts in your home cleaned can actually help the HVAC system to run efficiently, which can help to lower your utility bills. Used regularly, air duct cleaning can even lengthen the life of your HVAC system, which can also save you money in the long term.
Once you decide to have your ventilation system cleaned, you should make sure you hire a reputable and certified HVAC company. You should ask the company to provide proof of their certification and ask them to inspect your HVAC system before they perform any work. You should also ask if whomever you hire will clean both the return and supply ductwork. The most important thing you can do is to make sure everything functions correctly after the contractor finishes cleaning your HVAC cleaning system.