Clean My Furnace

If you have received a coupon in the mail or a telemarketing call from an air duct cleaning company, you may be wondering what air duct cleaning is all about. These companies claim that air duct cleaning will improve the quality of your indoor air, but is it worth the costs? This article will attempt to explain air duct cleaning and the pros and cons associated with having this service done.

You are perhaps aware that indoor air pollution is an area of great concern. Many companies are marketing products and services in an attempt to help improve indoor air quality. By now you have likely seen or heard the ads promoting air duct cleaning and the benefits of removing mold, dirt, pollen and more from your air duct work.

Typically, but not always, these services range in cost from $100 to $1,000 per system, depending on the level of services offered, the type and size of the system to be cleaned, climatic region, and the level of contamination.

Air duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the hot and cold air supply and return air ducts and registers, heat exchangers, heating and cooling coils, condensation drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.

Even when properly installed, maintained, and operated, these components may still become contaminated with pollutants such as; dust particles, pollen or other allergens. According to the EPA; “…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.”

When choosing a company to clean your air ducts, it is important to understand what components will actually be cleaned and at what price. For example, a house without air conditioning does not have a cooling coil (a-coil), while another house might not have an air exchanger. Some companies claim to clean all the air duct work, but fail to mention that they do not clean the hot and cold air returns. Typically, the cold air return is the dirtiest part of your air ducts. Without cleaning all the components it is possible to re-contaminate the entire system.

A typical air duct cleaning company will use specialized tools and brushes to dislodge dirt and other debris in the air duct system, then vacuum them out with a high-powered, truck-mounted vacuum cleaner. Other companies might use a portable, high powered, vacuum which is assembled by the technician while in the home. Additionally, the technician may suggest applying chemical biocides, designed to kill microbiological contaminants, to the inside of your air duct work and to other components within your heating/cooling system.

According to the EPA,  “Some service providers may also suggest applying chemical treatments (sealants or other encapsulants) to seal or cover the inside surfaces of the air ducts and equipment housings because they believe the sealant 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 sealants 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.” While these chemicals have been approved by the FDA, they may not be your best choice when applied to your air duct work.

When hiring an air duct cleaning company you should weigh the cost against the service. One family might want a quick and low priced service. The next family might want to watch the air duct cleaning process on their TV, with the service technician using a wireless camera. You might also ask what types of chemical applicants they have available so you can research and decide which chemicals you may or may not be comfortable with.

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