How Would Bob Act? Air Duct Cleaning
I’m relocating to a new house. The dog was owned by the previous owners. If it is worthwhile to clean the air ducts, I wonder. Did anyone have it done?
At least in principle, cleaning air ducts makes a lot of sense. It seems sensible that dust would build up to an unacceptable level in the mostly unattended HVAC ducting that runs throughout your home as it gradually gathers on almost every surface. Yes, air ducts accumulate dust. Air duct cleaning doesn’t harm, but it also doesn’t necessarily help. There are undoubtedly situations when it is acceptable, but frequently it is just not required.
Essential Points
Here are some things to think about as you determine if duct cleaning is good for you.
The amount of dust that accumulates in ductwork in most houses is safe.
The majority of airborne particles are captured by your HVAC filters, keeping them from entering the ductwork. That’s undoubtedly a reason to regularly clean or replace your hvac repair, but it’s not a compelling justification for doing anything else.
Doing it yourself is not advised for cleaning air ducts.
Even if you had the will to do it, it’s likely that you lack the necessary equipment, such as strong vacuums and specialised rotary brushes. You’ll need to employ experts, and the expense is not cheap. For labour that wasn’t necessary in the first place, you can wind up paying $500.
There is a chance of ripping walls or displacing critical connections while cleaning non-metal ducts.
Such damage, if left unattended, could significantly reduce the effectiveness of your heating and cooling equipment and allow dust-filled air from the attic, crawl space, or basement to enter the system.
Duct cleaning is essential when there is mould or vermin present.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there is no proof that ducts with minor dust buildup provide any health risks. However, the EPA does advise cleaning air ducts if mould is present or if there is evidence of a rodent or insect infestation.
Getting a Pro
It’s a good idea to do some independent research before you ask a duct-cleaning expert for a consultation and quote. (In this manner, you are free to reject the contractor’s assertions.) Start by examining the registers or grilles in the ductwork: Do they have a thin, black dust covering and are they discoloured? Does the duct come out dirty if you take off the cover, reach inside it, and wash its sides with a moist rag? If you see that there seems to be an excessive quantity of dust present, go ahead and contact the neighbourhood service.
Stop ductwork dust accumulation
Going ahead, try adopting one or more of the following techniques to reduce dust buildup in your ductwork:
- To avoid limiting airflow, place filters (like this one from Amazon) over each of your hot air supply registers as directed by the manufacturer. After a couple of weeks, check those filters to see what they have captured.
- Fill in any spaces between the duct’s edge and the wall opening with all-purpose caulk (see an example at The Home Depot). It’s possible that dust entering through what appears to be ductwork is actually entering through that tiny gap.
- Hire an HVAC professional to do a yearly furnace cleaning. He will clean the furnace heat exchanger while at work. If he determines that it isn’t too unclean, the ducts are probably not either.
Why HVAC Duct Cleaning Isn’t Needed Frequently
No unbiased, independent body suggests HVAC duct cleaning as a crucial component of normal HVAC system maintenance, unlike dryer duct cleaning, which should be examined and cleaned on a regular basis.
Actually, the Environmental Protection Agency claims that “because of the ongoing ambiguity regarding the advantages of duct cleaning under most conditions,” “EPA does not suggest that air ducts be cleaned except on an as-needed basis.”
Additionally, it claims that “there is no evidence that duct cleaning truly prevents health issues. Additionally, studies have not definitely shown that filthy air ducts cause an increase in particle (such as dust) levels in dwellings. This is due to the fact that a lot of dust in air ducts sticks on duct surfaces rather than necessarily entering the living area. 1
Although duct cleaning isn’t always a terrible idea, most of the time it’s not required. In actuality, there is no apparent benefit to cleaning typically filthy ducts. Duct cleaning may be helpful in a few instances if done correctly.
The EPA suggests cleaning your air ducts at the following times:
- if the ducts are unclean or if mice or other pests are present.
- If you notice any signs of noticeable visible mould growth in the HVAC system’s ductwork or on its air-contact mechanical parts. 1
Although terrifying “before” and “after” duct shots could make wonderful discount coupon images, it’s unlikely that your ducts are in poor condition. If your HVAC system has to be thoroughly cleaned because your ducts are so dirty, you should also clean the HVAC system as a whole (more on that later).
The Procedure for Cleaning Ducts
Please be aware that duct cleaning involves the use of specialised instruments to agitate and loosen impurities in the ducts so they become more airborne and loose before being sucked away. You shouldn’t attempt to clean your air ducts by yourself. Sometimes the ducts must be properly resealed after being cut open for tool access. The pollution in the air ducts is then removed using a strong vacuum system. If done incorrectly, you risk causing more harm than benefit.
Air Duct Contamination: What Is It?
Mould, germs, pollen, dust mites, chemical residue, and other common household contaminants can taint air ducts. Air duct contamination can be brought on by a broken HVAC system, inefficient air filters, faulty duct installation, and moisture buildup.
For instance, if the vacuum hose or containment system is not firmly sealed and is expelling particles to the outside or if a HEPA filtering system is not employed in an interior vacuum system, you risk releasing dirt and contaminants into the inside of your home. Your ducts may have service holes cut into them as part of the duct cleaning procedure for access to tools or vacuum hoses, which may not have been securely sealed after usage. Alternatively, HVAC system parts could have been disassembled and damaged or improperly reassembled, and so on.
Tips for Reducing Risk When Having Your HVAC System Cleaned
Choose and employ a qualified contractor first. The best likelihood of a job being done safely is when it is done by a person who has undergone training and received certification from the National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA).
The main trade organisation for companies that clean air ducts and HVAC systems, NADCA, mandates that all of its members
have at least one certified Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) on staff, and this person is in charge of cleaning and restoring a customer’s HVAC system in accordance with the association’s standards and regulations. 2
Even though NADCA accreditation doesn’t ensure a problem-free encounter, it does increase your chances.
Comparing HVAC system cleaning to duct cleaning
The fact that duct cleaning is sometimes included as part of an entire HVAC system cleaning contributes to some of the misunderstandings around duct cleaning services. In fact, since cleaning ducts is only necessary when they are contaminated, if you need to clean your ducts, you also need to clean any parts of your HVAC system that come into touch with the air passing through the ducts. That is the approach that NADCA takes.
In addition to cleaning and replacing the air filter, cleaning the grilles and diffusers, inspecting the drain pans and drain lines for proper drainage, and inspecting the heat exchanger and cooling coils, grills, furnace air plenum, blower motor, etc., the NADCA advises duct cleaning as part of a comprehensive HVAC system cleaning. They offer a helpful checklist for home customers that goes into greater depth about the method they advise.
What the HVAC Cleaning Service Will Cover
According to NADCA, an HVAC cleaning service should include the following services:
HVAC Ducts
- The branch distribution ducts and the main supply duct should be clean.
- Clean return air ducts.
- As required for tool access, seal any installation access panels in ducts in accordance with NADCA guidelines.
Grills and Diffusers
- Supply registers and return air grilles should be removed and thoroughly cleaned.
Furnace Plenums
- Clean the supply and return the air plenums of the furnace.
Furnace Components
- Clean furnace heat exchanger.
- Remove, clean and reinstall the blower motor; housing & assembly.
- Verify the drain pan and media of the humidifier.
- Clean the evaporator coil, drain, and pan drain.
- Make sure the drain pan is clean and draining correctly and that the cooling coil is clearly clean.
