Although many homeowners consider duct cleaning a way to make their indoor air cleaner, research on whether it can really create a healthier home is in the early stages.
The Environmental Protection Agency recommends looking into duct cleaning after fires, floods, pest infestations and in hazardous waste situations, or if you can see particles coming out of your ducts. Otherwise, the agency says it’s not necessary for the average household.
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Tom Keys, president of Atlantic Duct Cleaning in Sterling, Va., says his company has done more than 80,000 duct-cleaning jobs, and that many customers report back that they have better air quality, a cleaner home and lower energy costs. Customers often are surprised at how much debris collected in their ductwork over the years, he says.
“Most of the people who do it, do it for peace of mind,” Keys says. His company has found all sorts of items in ductwork beyond dirt and grime, including class rings, rare baseball cards and construction debris from when the home was built.
Keys encourages homeowners to ask duct-cleaning technicians for evidence that there is dirt in the ducts that should be removed.
Jodi Araujo, executive director of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, says homeowners can tell when ducts are dirty by simply removing a register cover, inserting a camera and clicking a photo.
On the other hand, John DeSilvia, a contractor and host of DIY Network’s “Rescue My Renovation,” doesn’t generally recommend duct cleaning to homeowners. It’s normal for dirt to accumulate and stick to the sides of air ducts, he says. The exception, he says, is if there’s visible mold growth.
If you do have ductwork cleaned, he advises getting a few estimates and ensuring that the service you hire uses high-powered equipment to capture what they dislodge. Otherwise, the effort could backfire.
“Any dust and dirt not collected will be distributed throughout your home, causing a bigger problem,” DeSilvia says.
If you decide to get your home’s ductwork cleaned, expect to pay between $400 and $800 if there’s one HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system. If you have more than one zone, you could pay more. That’s because duct cleaners don’t just clean the ducts; they also clean the furnace and air handler for each unit, which could extend the life of your appliances.
In addition, they can identify any places where a duct has become unsealed, torn or flattened, preventing good airflow. Many professional duct cleaners recommend having a system cleaned every five to eight years.
Read more at: www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/mar/02/tp-do-your-ducts-need-work/?print&page=all
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