
Should
you have your air ducts cleaned regularly by a professional? Plenty
of debates surround whether or not it’s necessary. Some schools of
thought say yes because trapped dust and debris builds up in your
ventilation system and can affect the airflow or even the AC equipment.
It’s also recommended by some companies because of potential allergens
that can filter through the ventilation system and back into the home,
causing allergies and other ailments.
Others recommend against
duct cleaning and cite it as an unnecessary expense because most dust
and debris are stopped from entering living spaces with an air filter.
It’s instead recommended to change your air filters regularly and if
needed, use a handheld vacuum to remove excess debris at the air intake
registers. The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) does not advocate air
duct cleaning except in extreme cases such as:
- Ongoing and unexplained illnesses or allergic symptoms affecting multiple people at home
- Visible mold in the air ducts or air registers
- Confirmed insect or vermin infestations in ductwork
- People in your home suffer from severe allergies caused by problems with indoor air quality
- Ducts are clogged and particles are being released from the home supply register
No
conclusive evidence exists on whether air duct cleaning is helpful and
none showing it’s harmful, but if you decide to have air duct cleaning
done, thoroughly research your potential contractor to make sure they
are reputable. Contractors who are not properly trained to work on your
HVAC system may use non-professional equipment that causes dust and
debris to come free and blow into living spaces or at worst, may damage
your ductwork or HVAC system itself. If you already have a contractor
entering your duct system to do repairs, ask them if they will clean the
ducts after repairs.
If you want to your home indoor air
quality checked or other AC system maintenance with a licensed,
reputable contractor, contract ELA Home Repairs at 800-368-PROS.
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