Should You Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned?
Our homes are the place where we spend most of our time and should feel the safest. It’s the place where we can feel comfortable and trust our environment. In order for your home to be at it’s safest and cleanest, it’s important to be aware that indoor air pollution is an issue of growing concern.
Homeowners will have their air ducts cleaned for several reasons. Over the years, air duct systems can accumulate dirt and debris, pet dander, pollen mold, and dust mites. Most homeowners are uneasy knowing that the air they breathe is circulated through these contaminants, not to mention they can aggravate the symptoms of asthma and allergies.
How Do You Know Your Air Ducts Need Cleaning?
Look for these signs:
- Dust on registers or vents.
- Layers of dust form on furniture of surfaces just a few hours after being dusted and vacuumed.
- Leaving the problem unattended increases the number of allergens circulating in the environment.
How to Prevent Duct Contamination
Advice from the U.S. Environmental Protection Association:
“Whether or not you decide to have the ducts cleaned, committing to a good preventative maintenance program is essential to minimize contaminated ducts.”
To Prevent Dirt From Entering the System:
- Use the highest efficiency air filter recommended by the manufacturer of your heating/cooling system.
- Change filters regularly.
- If your filters become clogged, change them more frequently.
- Be sure you don’t have any missing filters and that air can’t bypass filters through gaps around the filter holder.
- When having your heating/cooling system maintained or checked for other reasons, ask the service provider to clean cooling coils and drain pans.
- During construction or renovation work that produces dust in your home, seal off supply and return registers and don’t operate the heating/cooling system until after cleaning up the dust.
- Remove dust and vacuum your home regularly.
