Archive for category Clean Air Duct
Air Duct Cleaning
Does it pay to have your heating and cooling duct system cleaned ? I can speak from experience when it comes to this question. I have cleaned the duct systems in many homes in the past and most homeowners were shocked at the amount of dust and dirt that had been removed. This is especially the case in older systems. Since it is hard to physically see the inside of you heating and air conditioning duct work you have no idea how much dust, dirt, mold and fungus is built up with in it. One way to get some idea of how your system looks is to remove a cold air register and inspect the duct behind it. If this area has a large build up of dirt and dust, odds are your entire duct system is the same or worse.
Some people will claim that the half to one inch of dust build up in your duct is a benefit in that it acts as a insulator. I don’t believe that the downfalls to this including allergies, mold , bacteria build up and dust mites are worth the insulation value. Check out a blown up picture of a dust mite some time and you may have trouble sleeping at night. Dust mites are live insect type critters that thrive on dust in you duct system.
There are many different techniques to proper air duct cleaning and each will claim theirs is the most effective. Most will connect some type of large vacuum to your duct system and then run brushes, balls or wires under air pressure down each duct knocking the dust free. All the dust and dirt is then sucked into large bags were it can be seen by the home owner. It’s nice if they can show you what the removed so you know you got your money’s worth. After words any openings cut into your duct system are patched and can be used for future cleaning.
The frequency that you should have you air ducts cleaned has many factors including how much and the type of activity in your home. Do you have just two people living in your home or six people two dogs and three cats. Another factor is how often your heating and air conditioning system cycles. If you use a quality air filter in your heating and cooling system that catches more dust and dirt it goes with out saying that it will not end up in your duct work. Replace your air filter on a regular basis to prevent dust from bypassing it. Read the rest of this entry »
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When You Should Have Your Ducts Cleaned
In buildings and homes, air is transported via the air ducts. These metal ducts originate in the basement and extend throughout the home or building. Constant use will eventually result in an accumulation of debris and possibly harmful organisms such as bacteria and mould. The accumulation causes contaminants to be dispersed throughout the rooms where they can be inhaled causing illnesses such as allergies, lung congestion, shortness of breath, and sneezing and watery eyes. To eliminate the negative effects of dirty ducts, you need to have them cleaned by a trained professional.
The purpose of duct cleaning is to improve the quality of indoor air, reduce the amount of dust and dirt build up in the home or office, and help people and pets breathe easier and live healthier. This is especially important for people with asthma and bronchial disease.
Knowing when to clean your ducts depends on a number of factors. For instance, if you have pets, had recent renovation or construction, smoke, live in an area of high winds, you should have your ducts cleaned. Another indication that it is time to clean your ducts is if you have weak air flow or your furnace is working too hard.
You can check for poor air flow if you place your hand over the vent and there is not much air coming through when the furnace is running. In order to determine if you need your ducts cleaned immediately ask yourself: After I clean, how long does it take to see dust start to accumulate? Do I see dirt in my return or supply vents, furniture, draperies, or carpets that are close to the vents? Do my filters get filled with dirt and debris quickly? Am I tired a lot? Do I have problems sleeping? Do I wake up congested or with a headache? Do I start coughing or sneezing for no reason when I am indoors? Answering ‘yes’ to any of these questions may indicate that it is time to clean your ducts. If you have a disaster in your home with a fire or flood that damaged your duct system, your insurance company should cover the costs of duct cleaning. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: clean air, clean air duct