Although many homeowners consider duct cleaning a way to make their indoor air cleaner, research on whether it can really create a more healthful 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.
Will this type of maintenance add value to your home? Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for your value questions
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.
On the other hand, John DeSilvia, a contractor and host of DIY Network’s “Rescue My Renovation” (which premieres Feb. 27), 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.
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