The Benefits Of Air Duct Cleaning

Many of our customers are asking about duct cleaning and some of its benefits. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are spending more and more time indoors. With increase activity indoors and with work and school now being held remotely, many people are starting to notice indoor air quality issues in their homes. Indoor Air Quality is a branch of the HVACR (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration industry.) Many people think of heating and cooling as the only temperature control, but there are other critical areas of importance for maintaining a comfortable home. This article will specifically mention the benefits of Air Duct Cleaning.

During the regular occupation of the home, many pollutants or contaminants exist inside your duct system. These pollutants and/or contaminants include dust, dander, and other chemicals. These items get pulled into your duct system and get recirculated on average about six times per day. The duct system can also trap or restrict these contaminants from getting out of the system. These contaminants could cause problems in three key areas: respiratory health, energy efficiency, and equipment reliability.

Respiratory Health

Most of our customers who have their ducts cleaned notice increased respiratory health right away. The reason for this is that cleaning your duct system is a method of sanitation called source control. When you dust your furniture, you are cleaning the dust distributed from your duct system, so why do not we just get rid of the dust. By physically removing the dirty containments, we are eliminating the things that trigger allergies. Additionally, removing the dust also means removing the food source for organisms like mold and mildew. Mold and mildew are proven to cause adverse respiratory issues.

In addition to average accumulations of dust and dirt found in all homes with air ducts, several other factors can increase the need for regular HVAC system cleaning:

• pets
• occupants with allergies or asthma
• cigarette or cigar smoke
• water contamination or damage to the home or HVAC system
• home renovation or remodeling projects

Some occupants are more sensitive to these contaminants than others. Allergy and asthma sufferers and young children, and the elderly tend to be more susceptible to the types of low indoor air quality that air duct cleaning can help address.

Energy Efficiency

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 25 to 40 percent of the energy used for heating or cooling a home is wasted. Contaminants in the heating and cooling system cause it to work harder and longer. With a dirty system and ductwork, your system will take longer to get to the desired setpoint. This will cause your utility bills to skyrocket.

Equipment Reliability

When an HVAC system is clean, it does not have to work as hard to maintain the temperature you desire. As a result, less energy is used, leading to improved cost-effectiveness. Clean systems last longer. Dirty systems tend to short cycle. When the system shorts cycle, they have a shorter lifespan and a higher failure rate. Like most things, these repairs are unexpected, and they are generally are expensive.

Why are we NADCA Certified?

When done correctly, HVAC cleaning is an exceptionally beneficial service for your home or business. NADCA’s dedication to quality assurance helps ensure and promote a higher standard of performance for all its members.

A company must meet strict requirements to be a member of NADCA. The company must:

• have at least one NADCA certified Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) on staff
• maintain general liability insurance
• agree to clean according to ACR, the NADCA Standards, and comply with NADCA’s Code of Ethics. If a company is not going to clean according to NADCA’s standards, this must be communicated to the buyer at the sale time.

These requirements were established to provide a higher level of assurance to consumers.

How much does air duct cleaning cost?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, thoroughly cleaning an entire system in an average-sized home may typically range in cost from $450 to $1,000. However, several factors affect cost and time estimates:

• the type of ductwork
• system size
• system accessibility
• number of crew members required
• level of contamination
• environmental factors

Beware of advertisements that have “whole house specials” for low prices. Many of them only include only the main ducts and charge extra for the air handler, blower fans, coils, registers, and cutting access. Upon arrival, many of these companies then up-charge to excessive amounts.

How long should it take to clean a typical residential HVAC system?

The amount of time it takes to clean a residential HVAC system depends on many variables such as the home’s size, the number of systems, the extent of the contamination, and the number of HVAC cleaners performing the job. Ask at least two contractors to inspect your system and give you a time estimate for your particular system. This will provide you with a general idea of how long the job should take and how thoroughly the contractor plans to do the job.

Air Doctors Heating and Cooling, LLC are a fully licensed and insured heating and air conditioning company that serves most Southeast Michigan municipalities. Our staff is fully certified and pre-screened to provide our customers with a safe and satisfying experience. With over 100 years of combined industry experience, we take pride in solving all of your comfort needs. We are a family-based business that has been providing quality service to our neighbors for over 40 years. Contact us today to get started.

References: NADCA.com (National Air Duct Cleaning Association)