Is Air Duct cleaning a ripoff?

Based on that report and other independent research, the EPA's official advisory on duct cleaning concludes: “Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g. dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts.

What happens if you don't clean air ducts?

Over time, without proper air duct cleaning and maintenance, the moisture will start to grow mold and mildew. The real problem here is due to what your ducts do: disperse air throughout a structure. If you have moldy air ducts, that mold is going to be blown all through your home or business.

Does duct cleaning make things worse?

Duct cleaning may not prevent health issues.

Unless a family member is allergic to dust and you want to take special precautions beyond using a HEPA vacuum, cleaning the ducts might not make a difference, health-wise, in indoor air quality. In certain cases, discussed below, duct-cleaning is a good idea.

Does duct cleaning AC work better?

Some research also suggests that cleaning dirty cooling coils, fans and heat exchangers can improve the efficiency of heating and cooling systems. However, little evidence exists to indicate that simply cleaning the duct system will increase your system's efficiency.

What are the pros and cons of duct cleaning?

Angie's List: Don't get caught in an air duct cleaning scam

How often should ducts be cleaned?

According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, homeowners should have their air ducts cleaned every three to five years, but the timing really depends on the region in which you live, how often you use your HVAC system and whether you have family members that have respiratory problems.

Why is my house so dusty?

Both low humidity and high humidity play a role in why your house is so dusty. When the air is dry, your air can be extra dusty. But when it's too high, it can feed mites and promote mold growth. If your air is dry, run a humidifier so that you can reach a comfortable level.

How do you prepare for air duct cleaning?

Can dirty air ducts make you sick?

Develop Respiratory Infections, Disease

If your family is getting sick more than normal, experiencing coughing, sneezing, sore throats, runny noses, nasal congestion, headaches, and low-grade fevers, they may have upper respiratory infections as a result of dirty air ducts.

Does duct cleaning help with allergies?

Professional duct cleaning services should be used to remove all allergens from the ductwork. Mold growth can also occur within ducts. These areas should be vacuumed often, and the ducts should be sealed to prevent cross-contamination. This will reduce the number of allergies that result from poor indoor air quality.

How messy is duct cleaning?

Will Air Duct Cleaning Make A Mess Of My Home? No, it won't. If you hire a professional company to clean your air ducts, such as Dustless Duct, your home will be clean and tidy when they're done.

How do I know if my vents need cleaning?

If you see dust and dirt both inside and outside — especially by the vents that blow cool air out — your ducts most likely need to be cleaned. To prevent future dust buildup, make sure you replace your HVAC system air filters frequently. You can also run an air purifier.

Is duct fogging worth it?

After testing 33 homes in Montreal before and after duct cleaning, the study found that there was no significant improvement in air quality and that duct cleaning alone did not improve airflow or energy efficiency. In some cases, measured particle levels actually increased immediately after a cleaning.

Will cleaning my air ducts make my house less dusty?

Getting your ducts cleaned will help eliminate the excess dust in your home by blowing out any dirt, dust, and debris trapped in your ductwork. If dust is accumulating in your home, there's likely much more sitting in your ductwork. You also help your air filter do a better job since the dust won't keep clogging it up.

How can I clean my ducts myself?

What to expect when getting your ducts cleaned?

The technician uses specialized tools to dislodge dirt and debris in the system, followed by a thorough sanitizing process to effectively “wash away” the mess. They'll then do an air filter change and a final testing of the system operation to ensure everything is back to working flawlessly.

Is sanitizing air ducts necessary?

Customers need to sanitize and disinfect their air ducts if: Somebody has health concerns (asthma allergies, tuberculosis, or other diseases that are transmitted by airborne droplets). You keep pets in your house. There is an unpleasant odor in your ductwork.

Can mold travel through air vents?

Mold typically enters an air duct system any time steady amounts of water or condensation are present in the vents. If an air conditioning unit is infected with a strain of mold, oftentimes it will spread from the air conditioning unit throughout the air duct system.

Can dirty air ducts cause a fire?

Dust and debris accumulate over time. However, if allowed to accumulate over an EXTENDED period of time the accumulation of particulates can become a risk for fire and poses a danger of spreading fire to other parts of your building via the HVAC system.

How long does it take to clean your ducts?

Most systems have ten to fifteen vents that will need to be cleaned. If you have a two-man team working on your system in tandem, you can expect the entire cleaning process to last anywhere between two and four hours. This is just an estimate of how long it will take to get your ductwork cleaned.

How do you count ducts?

How did Grandma eliminate dust?

Emily White, owner of Two Maids and a Mop, was taught by her grandma to use a pillowcase so you can catch the dust in it, then dump it in the trash afterward. "You just stretch the entire case over the blade and wipe off the dust inside," she says.

Should I dust or vacuum first?

When doing your thorough cleaning, dust the room before vacuuming so you can vacuum up the particles that float into the air as you work and settle on the floor.