There are a lot of companies that try to sell consumers services that are not actually required for their home. Professional HVAC companies do not engage in this type of behavior. Instead, they work with the customer to provide quality heating, ventilation and air conditioning in the home with best practices and research-based approaches.
One service that may be recommended every three to five years in new homes and perhaps more frequently in older homes or homes where mold or dust is a problem is cleaning of the air ducts. This can be an effective way to reduce dust, allergens, mold and other types of airborne particulate matter that may decrease the quality of the home’s indoor air.
Air Duct Cleaning Basics
The process used in air duct cleaning will vary with the HVAC service. Top companies will offer a comprehensive cleaning including the supply and return ducts, all the registers and vents, as well as internal components in the furnace and air conditioner.
This includes using some type of brush or tool that travels through the ducts to scrape dust, mold, and dirt off the sides, top and bottom of the ducts. A very powerful vacuum is then used to suck up the debris and remove it from the system. The internal components of the coils, heat exchangers, drip pans and fans components and air exchanges will be cleaned using hand-held tools and vacuums.
The more comprehensive the cleaning process, the greater the improvement or maintenance of the interior air quality. Some companies may also offer the use of biocides to kill microorganisms in the system or the use of coatings on the interior to prevent future growth or collection of dust and dirt.
Make sure you are working with a quality, reputable HVAC provider for air duct cleaning. This is a very good option to do as part of a routine system cleaning. Talk to a trusted HVAC company to determine if your home would benefit from this process.
