More and more homeowners in the Metro-East region are choosing to have their air ducts cleaned as a way to enhance indoor air quality. Over time, dust, pollen, other particles and sometimes mold can build up in ducts. These indoor and outdoor pollutants could negatively affect your health, and the health of your family.
If you choose to have your ducts cleaned, know what to expect from your duct-cleaning contractor.
- Pre-inspection: A quality duct-cleaning contractor should fully inspect your ducts before agreeing to clean them. The contractor also should verify that you don’t have any materials containing asbestos anywhere in your system.
- Preparation: Before the cleaning begins, the contractor should take care to protect your carpet, furniture and other furnishings from the cleaning equipment and any incidental dirt and dust.
- Vacuuming: If a vacuum that vents in your home is used, the contractor should only use high-efficiency particle air equipment, better known as HEPA. Inefficient vacuums can release more dirt into the air, which neutralizes any benefit you might get from having your ducts cleaned.
- Protection: Your duct-cleaning contractor should take measures to protect your ductwork from damage by using only soft-bristled brushes. They also should seal and re-insulate access ports and doors used to clean the ducts so the system remains airtight and clean.
- Verification: Finally, when the job is complete your duct cleaner should show you what was done by guiding you through a thorough visual inspection of all your duct components. Some contractors use photos for additional verification.
The Environmental Protection Agency has not yet suggested that homeowners schedule regular duct cleanings, so use caution with unscrupulous contractors who approach you with service contracts or other aggressive sales techniques.
To discuss indoor air quality and whether having your ducts cleaned could help your home’s indoor air quality, give the professionals at Ernst Heating & Coolinga call today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about duct cleaning and other HVAC topics, visit our blog.
Ernst Heating & Cooling services Hamel, Illinois and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!