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What is Air Duct Cleaning?
If you decide to have your heating and cooling system cleaned, it important to make sure
the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so.
Most people are now aware that indoor air pollution is an issue of growing concern and
increased visibility. Many companies are marketing products and services intended to
improve the quality of your indoor air. You have probably seen an advertisement,
received a coupon in the mail, or been approached directly by a company offering to
clean your air ducts as a means of improving your home's indoor air quality. These
services typically -- but not always -- range in cost from $450 to $1,000 per heating and
cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned,
system accessibility, climatic region, and level of contamination.
Duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system
components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers,
grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans
(drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing (See diagram).
If not properly installed, maintained, and operated, these components may become
contaminated with particles of dust, pollen or other debris. If moisture is present, the
potential for microbiological growth (e.g., mold) is increased and spores from such growth
may be released into the home's living space. Some of these contaminants may cause
allergic reactions or other symptoms in people if they are exposed to them. If you decide to
have your heating and cooling system cleaned, it is important to make sure the service
provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so. Failure to
clean a component of a contaminated system can result in re-contamination of the entire
system, thus negating any potential benefits. Methods of duct cleaning vary, although
standards have been established by industry associations concerned with air duct
cleaning. Typically, a service provider will use specialized tools to dislodge dirt and other
debris in ducts, then vacuum them out with a high-powered vacuum cleaner.
In addition, the service provider may propose applying chemical biocides, designed to kill
microbiological contaminants, to the inside of the duct work and to other system
components. Some service providers may also suggest applying chemical treatments
(sealants or other encapsulants) to encapsulate or cover the inside surfaces of the air
ducts and equipment housings because they believe it will control mold growth or
prevent the release of dirt particles or fibers from ducts. These practices have yet to be
fully researched and you should be fully informed before deciding to permit the use of
biocides or chemical treatments in your air ducts. They should only be applied, if at all,
after the system has been properly cleaned of all visible dust or debris.
Note: Use of sealants to encapsulate the inside surfaces of ducts is a different practice
than sealing duct air leaks. Sealing duct air leaks can help save energy on heating and
cooling bills. For more information, see EPA's www.energystar.gov/ducts
If you decide to have your heating and cooling system cleaned, it important to make sure
the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so.
Most people are now aware that indoor air pollution is an issue of growing concern and
increased visibility. Many companies are marketing products and services intended to
improve the quality of your indoor air. You have probably seen an advertisement,
received a coupon in the mail, or been approached directly by a company offering to
clean your air ducts as a means of improving your home's indoor air quality. These
services typically -- but not always -- range in cost from $450 to $1,000 per heating and
cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned,
system accessibility, climatic region, and level of contamination.
Duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system
components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers,
grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans
(drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing (See diagram).
If not properly installed, maintained, and operated, these components may become
contaminated with particles of dust, pollen or other debris. If moisture is present, the
potential for microbiological growth (e.g., mold) is increased and spores from such growth
may be released into the home's living space. Some of these contaminants may cause
allergic reactions or other symptoms in people if they are exposed to them. If you decide to
have your heating and cooling system cleaned, it is important to make sure the service
provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so. Failure to
clean a component of a contaminated system can result in re-contamination of the entire
system, thus negating any potential benefits. Methods of duct cleaning vary, although
standards have been established by industry associations concerned with air duct
cleaning. Typically, a service provider will use specialized tools to dislodge dirt and other
debris in ducts, then vacuum them out with a high-powered vacuum cleaner.
In addition, the service provider may propose applying chemical biocides, designed to kill
microbiological contaminants, to the inside of the duct work and to other system
components. Some service providers may also suggest applying chemical treatments
(sealants or other encapsulants) to encapsulate or cover the inside surfaces of the air
ducts and equipment housings because they believe it will control mold growth or
prevent the release of dirt particles or fibers from ducts. These practices have yet to be
fully researched and you should be fully informed before deciding to permit the use of
biocides or chemical treatments in your air ducts. They should only be applied, if at all,
after the system has been properly cleaned of all visible dust or debris.
Note: Use of sealants to encapsulate the inside surfaces of ducts is a different practice
than sealing duct air leaks. Sealing duct air leaks can help save energy on heating and
cooling bills. For more information, see EPA's www.energystar.gov/ducts
Deciding Whether or Not to Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned
Knowledge about the potential benefits and possible problems of air duct cleaning is limited. Since
conditions in every home are different, it is impossible to generalize about whether or not air duct
cleaning in your home would be beneficial.
If no one in your household suffers from allergies or unexplained symptoms or illnesses and if, after a
visual inspection of the inside of the ducts, you see no indication that your air ducts are contaminated
with large deposits of dust or mold (no musty odor or visible mold growth), having your air ducts cleaned
is probably unnecessary. It is normal for the return registers to get dusty as dust-laden air is pulled
through the grate. This does not indicate that your air ducts are contaminated with heavy deposits of
dust or debris; the registers can be easily vacuumed or removed and cleaned.
On the other hand, if family members are experiencing unusual or unexplained symptoms or illnesses
that you think might be related to your home environment, you should discuss the situation with your
doctor. EPA has published Indoor Air Quality: An Introduction for Health Professionals and The Inside
Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality for guidance on identifying possible indoor air quality problems and
ways to prevent or fix them
You may consider having your air ducts cleaned simply because it seems logical that air ducts will get
dirty over time and should occasionally be cleaned. While the debate about the value of periodic duct
cleaning continues, no evidence suggests that such cleaning would be detrimental, provided that it is
done properly.
On the other hand, if a service provider fails to follow proper duct cleaning procedures, duct cleaning
can cause indoor air problems. For example, an inadequate vacuum collection system can release more
dust, dirt, and other contaminants than if you had left the ducts alone. A careless or inadequately
trained service provider can damage your ducts or heating and cooling system, possibly increasing your
heating and air conditioning costs or forcing you to undertake difficult and costly repairs or
replacements.
You should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if:
There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface components of your heating and
cooling system. There are several important points to understand concerning mold detection in heating
and cooling systems:
Many sections of your heating and cooling system may not be accessible for a visible inspection, so
ask the service provider to show you any mold they say exists.
You should be aware that although a substance may look like mold, a positive determination of whether
it is mold or not can be made only by an expert and may require laboratory analysis for final
confirmation. For about $50, some microbiology laboratories can tell you whether a sample sent to them
on a clear strip of sticky household tape is mold or simply a substance that resembles it.
If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy it cannot be effectively cleaned
and should be removed and replaced.
If the conditions causing the mold growth in the first place are not corrected, mold growth will recur.
Ducts are infested with vermin, e.g. (rodents or insects)
Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released
into the home from your supply registers.
Other Important Considerations...
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 or
go down after cleaning. This is because much of the dirt that may accumulate inside air ducts adheres
to duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living space. It is important to keep in mind that dirty
air ducts are only one of many possible sources of particles that are present in homes. Pollutants that
enter the home both from outdoors and indoor activities such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or just
moving around can cause greater exposure to contaminants than dirty air ducts. Moreover, there is no
evidence that a light amount of household dust or other particulate matter in air ducts poses any risk to
health.
EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned except on an as-needed basis because of the
continuing uncertainty about the benefits of duct cleaning under most circumstances. If a service
provider or advertiser asserts that EPA recommends routine duct cleaning or makes claims about its
health benefits, you should notify EPA by writing to the address listed at the end of this guidance. EPA
does, however, recommend that if you have a fuel burning furnace, stove, or fireplace, they be
inspected for proper functioning and serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon
monoxide poisoning. 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.
If you think duct cleaning might be a good idea for your home, but you are not sure, talk to a
professional. The company that services your heating and cooling system may be a good source of
advice. You may also want to contact professional duct cleaning service providers and ask them about
the services they provide. Remember, they are trying to sell you a service, so ask questions and insist
on complete and knowledgeable answers.
Knowledge about the potential benefits and possible problems of air duct cleaning is limited. Since
conditions in every home are different, it is impossible to generalize about whether or not air duct
cleaning in your home would be beneficial.
If no one in your household suffers from allergies or unexplained symptoms or illnesses and if, after a
visual inspection of the inside of the ducts, you see no indication that your air ducts are contaminated
with large deposits of dust or mold (no musty odor or visible mold growth), having your air ducts cleaned
is probably unnecessary. It is normal for the return registers to get dusty as dust-laden air is pulled
through the grate. This does not indicate that your air ducts are contaminated with heavy deposits of
dust or debris; the registers can be easily vacuumed or removed and cleaned.
On the other hand, if family members are experiencing unusual or unexplained symptoms or illnesses
that you think might be related to your home environment, you should discuss the situation with your
doctor. EPA has published Indoor Air Quality: An Introduction for Health Professionals and The Inside
Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality for guidance on identifying possible indoor air quality problems and
ways to prevent or fix them
You may consider having your air ducts cleaned simply because it seems logical that air ducts will get
dirty over time and should occasionally be cleaned. While the debate about the value of periodic duct
cleaning continues, no evidence suggests that such cleaning would be detrimental, provided that it is
done properly.
On the other hand, if a service provider fails to follow proper duct cleaning procedures, duct cleaning
can cause indoor air problems. For example, an inadequate vacuum collection system can release more
dust, dirt, and other contaminants than if you had left the ducts alone. A careless or inadequately
trained service provider can damage your ducts or heating and cooling system, possibly increasing your
heating and air conditioning costs or forcing you to undertake difficult and costly repairs or
replacements.
You should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if:
There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface components of your heating and
cooling system. There are several important points to understand concerning mold detection in heating
and cooling systems:
Many sections of your heating and cooling system may not be accessible for a visible inspection, so
ask the service provider to show you any mold they say exists.
You should be aware that although a substance may look like mold, a positive determination of whether
it is mold or not can be made only by an expert and may require laboratory analysis for final
confirmation. For about $50, some microbiology laboratories can tell you whether a sample sent to them
on a clear strip of sticky household tape is mold or simply a substance that resembles it.
If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy it cannot be effectively cleaned
and should be removed and replaced.
If the conditions causing the mold growth in the first place are not corrected, mold growth will recur.
Ducts are infested with vermin, e.g. (rodents or insects)
Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released
into the home from your supply registers.
Other Important Considerations...
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 or
go down after cleaning. This is because much of the dirt that may accumulate inside air ducts adheres
to duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living space. It is important to keep in mind that dirty
air ducts are only one of many possible sources of particles that are present in homes. Pollutants that
enter the home both from outdoors and indoor activities such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or just
moving around can cause greater exposure to contaminants than dirty air ducts. Moreover, there is no
evidence that a light amount of household dust or other particulate matter in air ducts poses any risk to
health.
EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned except on an as-needed basis because of the
continuing uncertainty about the benefits of duct cleaning under most circumstances. If a service
provider or advertiser asserts that EPA recommends routine duct cleaning or makes claims about its
health benefits, you should notify EPA by writing to the address listed at the end of this guidance. EPA
does, however, recommend that if you have a fuel burning furnace, stove, or fireplace, they be
inspected for proper functioning and serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon
monoxide poisoning. 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.
If you think duct cleaning might be a good idea for your home, but you are not sure, talk to a
professional. The company that services your heating and cooling system may be a good source of
advice. You may also want to contact professional duct cleaning service providers and ask them about
the services they provide. Remember, they are trying to sell you a service, so ask questions and insist
on complete and knowledgeable answers.
Does duct cleaning prevent health problems?
The bottom line is no one knows. There are examples of ducts that have become badly
contaminated with a variety of materials that may pose risks to your health. The duct system can
serve as a means to distribute these contaminants throughout a home. In these cases, duct
cleaning may make sense. However, a light amount of household dust in your air ducts is normal.
Duct cleaning is not considered to be a necessary part of yearly maintenance of your heating and
cooling system, which consists of regular cleaning of drain pans and heating and cooling coils,
regular filter changes and yearly inspections of heating equipment. Research continues in an
effort to evaluate the potential benefits of air duct cleaning.
The bottom line is no one knows. There are examples of ducts that have become badly
contaminated with a variety of materials that may pose risks to your health. The duct system can
serve as a means to distribute these contaminants throughout a home. In these cases, duct
cleaning may make sense. However, a light amount of household dust in your air ducts is normal.
Duct cleaning is not considered to be a necessary part of yearly maintenance of your heating and
cooling system, which consists of regular cleaning of drain pans and heating and cooling coils,
regular filter changes and yearly inspections of heating equipment. Research continues in an
effort to evaluate the potential benefits of air duct cleaning.
Air duct cleaning $ 39.00 a duct
Avoid a fire and have your dryer vent cleaned for $ 49.95
Get rid of years of lint build up that can clog your vent
A first sign of build up your clothes take longer to dry
Avoid a fire and have your dryer vent cleaned for $ 49.95
Get rid of years of lint build up that can clog your vent
A first sign of build up your clothes take longer to dry