WHY DUCT CLEANING?

Since early man lit his first fire in his first cave, we knew that indoor air quality would be an important part of our lives. Of course we had no scientific or engineering based reasons for feeling so, it was just intuitive. . . and the fact that we choked on the smoke!!!

Even the bible talks of indoor air quality in “Leviticus – 14” as it describes the ancient methods used to remediate mold.

Today we can find article after article in our newspapers or on television that reinforces the importance of good indoor air quality.

From 1980 to 1994, asthma increased in our pre-school children by 160 % and in our general population by 75% in the same time period. We learn more each day about those things that impact our lives, such as: molds, bacteria, dust mites, cockroach feces, and many other contaminants that can contaminate almost any portion of our homes and/or businesses, but there is one area that spreads contamination quickly. That area is the “lungs” of our home, the heating and cooling system in your home and work environment!

Although we consume only three (3) quarts of water each day on average, but we consume fifteen thousand (15,000) to twenty thousand (20,000) quarts of air each day. You would think we would do our best to keep that air clean . . . wouldn’t you? That is what makes “duct-cleaning” so important!

HEART AND LUNGS OF THE HOME

Contamination of many sorts can come from almost any part of the HVAC system. Construction materials and foodstuffs can fall into the floor register in the dining room. Dusts (mostly organic materials), animal hair, dander, dust mite particles and feces, mold spores, bacteria, (and almost anything else you can think of) will be pulled into the return-air side of the system and will ultimately make its way back to the supply side. There it will be launched back into the air that you and others around you breathe all day. Any of it that stays in the system may become the beginnings of severe mold or bacteria colonization and contamination. In fact, there are two main “bio-nesting” areas in your system. One is the filter, its job is to gather and stop as much dust (mostly organic materials) as it is capable of, because that dust is then circulated through the system.

Keep in mind that if your filter is even fifty percent (50%) efficient, that just means that it is letting the other fifty percent (50%) on through to the second bio-nesting area. The second bio-nesting area is the evaporator coil and condensate pan. Since this “inside” portion of your air conditioning has water running over it all summer, as it condenses the humidity out of the air, it becomes “pollution headquarters”.

Air, containing dust, mold spores, bacteria, and more is blown over the wet evaporator, where the combination mixes into the perfect mold growth mixture. A combination of loose furnace panels, unsealed ductwork, and inadequate filtration adds food source and contamination to those bio-nesting areas, every day! After a few years, the buildup can become significant enough to be a possible health issue for many unsuspecting people!

THE SOLUTION      

 To alleviate the problem you must start by removing the source of that problem. In other words, you must have the heating and cooling system thoroughly cleaned.  Click HERE for FAQ regarding Duct Cleaning

Sounds easy enough, however, proper duct-cleaning has become far more thorough and complete than the majority of duct-cleaners are willing to provide these days. Proper duct-cleaning will involve a well trained company, using modern equipment, and thoroughly cleaning the entire system – including the blower, the heat exchanger, the interior of the furnace cabinet, and the evaporator coil and condensate pan. Further, it will inevitably take two men most of a day to do it properly.

Locating a company that is NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association) certified is the first important step. NADCA was originally formed to overcome “less professional” organizations by combining the best in the industry for the purpose of providing standards, training, and certification for the benefit of the public. Continuing education requirements insures that members stay current in their training so as to continue providing the highest quality service.

Next is to apply common sense as a company does the cleaning. Remember that it should take two men most of a day to properly clean a system. If they come in and “hurry” their way through it too quickly – they’re probably not going to do a good job as well.

What kind of heating system/ventilation system do you have?

Do you have air conditioning?

How often are air cleaners in use?

How often are air filters changed or cleaned?

Are special filters such as electric precipitators used?

These questions may vary or be left out according to local practices in different climatic conditions.