Why Duct Cleaning Is Worth Your Health

Scientists warn us that we could be harmed by indoor air pollution.  This pollution comes from activities such as cooking, cleaning and smoking.  It also follows us from the outdoors.  Mold, dust and pollen are the most frequent contaminants.

In order to keep our homes well-maintained many companies offer duct cleaning services.  The prices range from a little over four hundred dollars to around a thousand dollars.  The range is dependent on the size of the system, the location and whether or not it has been properly maintained.

The EPA says there is no evidence that duct cleaning by itself does not necessarily prevent health problems.  These problems can arise if there is mold growing in the ducts.  At that point a cleaning is definitely needed.

Before cleaning the ducts the problem that causes the mold needs to be addressed.  This may mean replacing parts of ductwork or the insulation around it.  Once this is done the ducts can be cleaned and no more molds should develop.

When choosing a company to clean ductwork it is important to make sure that they will clean the entire system.  That means the furnace/air conditioner, the coils, the drip pan, the grilles and so forth.  Cleaning these areas will help keep the system running efficiently and using less energy.  It will also help the longevity of the system.

There are products that can be applied to the duct system and the company may suggest you use them.  These include a biocide and sealant.  There is no evidence that neither the biocide nor the sealants are necessary in most cases and the chemicals themselves could increase indoor air pollution.  Until there have been more studies done on the safety of these chemicals they are not recommended.

The EPA does have recommendations about how to choose a duct cleaning company.  First on their list is to avoid companies that make broad statements about the benefits of the work.  Those benefits have not been proven.  They suggest that chemicals should be avoided unless you know all of the pros and cons.

Check to see if the people doing the cleaning are certified for the job.  Several states require this, including New York and Florida.  You should also check to make sure they have no complaints filed by the BBB or on websites such as Yelp or the duct cleaners Google maps.  If they have a high customer satisfaction rating they are probably a good company.

It should be noted that there are other ducts in most houses.  The dryer duct can be more problematic than those for the heating and cooling system.  This job isn’t something you need to hire done, it is a fairly simple do it yourself job.

Take the duct off of the back of the dryer and check to see if it is full of lint.  This should be done on a regular basis.  It is also important to clean the lint filter after every load.  Not doing so reduces the efficiency of the dryer and leads to more lint buildup in the duct.

Contributed by: ChutePlus LLC 75-25 141st pl #770 Flushing, NY 11367 (718) 683-5445 chuteplus.com