The Ins and Outs of Air Duct Cleaning

Can we get a show of hands — Who plans to spend more time indoors this winter? As the temperatures drop, it’s natural to want to be inside. The shocking thing is, we're doing it year' round (not just when it gets cold outside).

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)*, Americans spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. That means, for almost 21 hours every day, we’re breathing the same air. Makes you wonder about what you’re inhaling and exhaling, doesn’t it?

Air duct cleaning can be an essential part of maintaining healthy indoor air quality. You can breathier easier knowing that you’ve removed unwanted or harmful material from your home’s airways.

When Should I Clean My Air Ducts?

Have you noticed a steady flow of air duct cleaning trucks in your neighborhood? When done correctly and for the right reasons, air duct cleaning can make a difference in keeping your home air safe. That’s especially true in four situations:

1. You’ve done a renovation or remodeling project.

If you’ve remodeled your home, you may need to clean your ductwork – especially if there was asbestos abatement, lead paint removal, or significant dust. Debris and dust can enter and clog up ductwork that wasn’t sealed properly prior to construction.

2. You have an animal or insect infestation.

Smell something rancid coming from your air vents? If you find critters living or nesting in your ductwork, remove them and clean the ductwork and HVAC unit. Vermin infestations are more common during colder months when rodents move indoors. Cockroaches and wasps are known to crawl into the air vents on the outside of homes.

3. You have a mold infestation.

Have you noticed an unpleasant, musty smell that won’t go away? Air ducts are home to warm, humid environments that invite mold growth and can lead to mold spores being released into the air. If mold is growing inside your ductwork, an air duct cleaning with an antimicrobial solution can clean the infected area.

Have you noticed extra water on your air ducts? Blocked air ducts may also result in extra condensation, known as ductwork sweating. This excessive condensation can create favorable conditions for mold and mildew growth.

4. Your vent openings are clogged with debris.

Should I clean my air ducts when my air registers keep being covered in debris or pet hair (even after cleaning and vacuuming them)? Quality air duct cleaning may solve the problem. It will make your home smell fresher, too.

A Few Other Reasons to Consider Air Duct Cleaning

Many homeowners feel more confident knowing that their ductwork is clear. Air duct cleaning often boils down to personal comfort level and homeowner preference. Here are some other cases where homeowners opt for frequent air duct cleanings.

• Smokers in the household
• Pets that shed a lot of hair and dander
• Residents with allergies or asthma may benefit from fewer indoor air pollutants
• Prior to moving into a new home
• How Much Does Air Duct Cleaning Cost?

According to the EPA, air duct cleaning services typically – but not always – range in price from $450 to $1,000* per heating and cooling system and depend on the following:

• Services offered
• Size of the system to be cleaned
• System accessibility
• Climactic region
• Level of contamination
• Type of duct material

Homeowners should beware of “blow-and-go” air duct cleaning companies that charge a nominal fee and do a poor job. Run the other way from gimmicks like “$79 whole-house specials.” High-quality air duct cleaning takes several hours with sophisticated equipment and involves multiple workers.

For All the Dirt on Air Duct Cleaning…

Before scheduling an air duct cleaning, American Home Shield® encourages homeowners to educate themselves on home maintenance and car. Like anything related to your biggest investment – your home – we think it’s important to get smart about the process. Hopefully, this article will inspire you to do more research.

So, who can you trust when you’re deciding whether to tackle your home’s air ducts? Where can you turn for all the facts?

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) is the global standard for the assessment, cleaning, and restoration of HVAC systems. The NADCA’s website is an invaluable resource for homeowners. Sweep the site for information, helpful tools, and even a Homeowner’s Guide to Air Duct Cleaning*.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is another reliable resource for air duct cleaning. Be sure to visit the EPA website, where you’ll find a volume of information about indoor air quality, as well as a convenient PDF guide: Should You Have the Air Ducts In Your Home Cleaned?*

How to Choose an Air Duct Cleaning Service Provider

A word of caution to DYI-rs: don’t attempt to clean your air ducts on your own. It’s a complicated process that requires advanced knowledge of HVAC systems and specialized tools. To make sure the job is done right, always hire a professional.

The EPA offers six suggestions for choosing a qualified air duct cleaning provider.

1. Don’t hire duct cleaners who make sweeping claims about the health benefits of air duct cleaning. Such claims are unsubstantiated by research.
2. Don’t allow the use of chemical biocides or chemical treatments without understanding the pros and cons.
3. Check references to be sure other customers were satisfied and didn’t experience any service problems post-cleaning.
4. Contact your local Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed.
5. Interview potential service providers to ensure that they’re experienced, have worked on systems like yours and will comply with NADCA air duct cleaning standards.
6. Ask if the service provider holds any relevant state licenses.
7. Get an estimate of the total cost and scope of the job before work begins.

The NADCA makes it easy to find a certified air duct cleaning professional. Simply enter your zip code in their online directory to search for a NADCA professional near you.

AHS has Your Ductwork Covered

Now that you know about the importance of clean ductwork, know this: If something goes wrong with your home’s air ducts, AHS has you – and your HVAC system - covered. Learn more about our ductwork warranty coverage, and how we can help you take care of any breakdowns.

We’ve designed a range of plans to fit your wallet and your life. And when you invest in a Home Warranty by American Home Shield®️, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your home is covered.

See the plan contract for coverage details, including service fees, limitations, and exclusions. Charges for non-covered items may apply.

Source: https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/indoor-air-quality

https://nadca.com/homeowners/cost-and-time-estimates#:~:text=How%20much%20does%20air%20duct,range%20from%20%24450%20to%20%241%2C000.

https://nadca.com/sites/default/files/nadca_homeowners_guide_web_version.pdf

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2014-07/documents/airducts.pdf

AHS assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of any and all information contained herein.