In the event that you, or someone else in your family is suffering from allergies or asthma it is possible that you are thinking of having your home's heating and cooling pipes cleaned. However, even if there are no particular health issues the idea of cleaning your ducts might interest you on an emotional level. If your ducts are clean the air coming out of your vents must be clean, too do you think?
Well, actually, no.
Although some duct-cleaning companies may claim the need for duct cleaning is vital to your health but the evidence does not back the assertions. The companies that provide the duct cleaning typically advertise health benefits or claim that the cleaning of ducts can lower your energy bills and increase the efficiency of your system. The ads may even include phrases such as "Studies have proven . . . " But there is no evidence to can support the claims. Even if your ducts appear dirty, cleaning them will not bring any tangible advantages. Actually, the small independent research conducted on cleaning the ducts shows that this process can create lots of dust that it causes more issue than it resolves.
It is logical to clean your ductwork because, in the end you clean and dust your home in general but the reality is that dust that collects in your ventilation system usually remains where it is likely to remain there unless it is disturbed. In most cases dust is harmless and inert but agitating it using cleaning equipment creates more problems.
A little research has been conducted on the results of the process of cleaning ducts. Studies conducted by the government of Canada and the United States and Canada and health professionals who have studied the effects of duct cleaning aren't not recommending against it, but they don't recommend it as a standard procedure.
A study conducted by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency researchers measured the levels of dust and efficiency of HVAC systems in test homes over an entire week of the cooling season. They found that the cleaning of ducts did not substantially improve levels of dust or the efficiency of the system. Based on this report and other independent studies the EPA's official advice on cleaning ducts concludes:
"Duct cleaning" has not been proven to reduce health risks. Studies have not conclusively proven that particles (e.g. dust) levels in homes are increased due to filthy air ducts. This is because a large portion of the dirt that accumulates in air ducts is absorbed by the surfaces of the ducts, but does not necessarily get into the living space. . . . In addition, there isn't any evidence to suggest that a tiny level of household dust, or any other particles in air ducts is a threat in your well-being."
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is a federal agency, conducted a research in the late 1990s to examine two assertions: Cleaning ducts ensures that indoor air is healthier and it lowers energy bills through a better airflow. After analyzing 33 houses in Montreal prior to and following cleaning ducts, the study discovered that there was not a significant improvement in the quality of air and that cleaning ducts alone did not enhance the airflow or efficiency of energy. In some instances, the measured particle levels increased right away following a cleaning. In other instances it was the case that particle levels dropped immediately following cleaning, but then returned to their previous levels within weeks.
"Ideally the interior surface is shiny and bright after cleaning. Duct cleaning might be beneficial to you, for that specific reason. You may not wish to have the air in your home circulated through the ducts that are not as well-maintained as the rest of your home. However, duct cleaning does typically not alter the quality of air that you breathe. Nor does it have a significant impact on airflow or heating expenses."
Researchers from the EPA along with CMHC researchers utilized different methodologies. The CMHC study used a variety of services to clean ducts. The companies weren't made aware that they were part of research, and researchers didn't control for how long they were working or the method used. The EPA study outlined and controlled methods for the homes of a lesser number. Although the industry of duct cleaning claims that both studies are flawed but no other research has refuted the conclusions. While the equipment and techniques used by companies for duct cleaning have evolved in the years since these research was conducted but the air ducts used in the homes aren't.
Change your filter regularly.
Regularly changing your air filters is the best method to keep allergens, dust and other pollutants out of your home. If you have a new system or one in the home you recently moved into, make sure to check your filter every month to see the speed at which it becomes dirty at various seasons. The majority of filters are required to be changed every three or four months.
It's not saving energy, neither.
While not often included in their cleaning offerings, a lot of duct-cleaning firms also clean heat and cooling devices (heat exchangers cooling coils, condensate drain pans and fan motors fan blades, and fan housings).
Another unsubstantiated claim offered by the majority of duct cleaning services and their trade associations is that filthy ducts and equipment overload cooling and heating equipment, which is a waste of energy. It is also intuitively sense that a system that is clean is more efficient and lasts longer. After all this is why the HVAC equipment manufacturer and repair companies advise you to regularly change the filters in your HVAC system. However, the page "Benefits of HVAC Cleaning" on the National Air Duct Cleaning Service Association (NADCA) website extends the benefits of cleaning too far, saying: "According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 25 to 40 percent of the energy used for heating and cooling a home is wasted."
That's misleading.
While a lot of the energy that is used to power cooling and heating equipment is actually lost, this is due to inadequate equipment, poor insulation, leaks in windows and doors, and un-sealed ductwork. While there are some benefits in keeping HVAC systems clean and maintained, the benefits are not that significant and very little energy can be attributed to dirty equipment or ducts.
CMHC researchers discovered that when duct cleaning products also cleaned the blades of the fan blower There was a tiny decrease in particles that are airborne. Cleaning the blower's fan could help enhance the energy efficiency of your system.
The same is in the case of the evaporator coils in your cooling system. Evaporator coils produce condensation, which dehumidifies the air prior to it moving throughout your home. Condensed moisture may create dust particles that adhere to and accumulate over the coils. Cleaning your collector pan (and that draining spout inside the pan) underneath the coils will ensure that dirt doesn't get accumulated and then get dragged in the process. Also, it prevents the accumulation of water under and around the coils. This can create mold issues.
You should also consider the possibility of having your ducts inspected for leaks. Leaks can cause ducts decrease efficiency and can cause air quality problems.
We don't advise hiring a duct-cleaner to complete these tasks because most of them don't understand the right way to go about it as indicated by the ratings of the duct cleaning companies we've obtained from local customers. Think about hiring a top-quality HVAC contractor to complete this type task, or hire for them to do it at the next scheduled service visit. Readers can access Checkbook's HVAC company ratings through Feb. 28
Cleaning is required for certain issues.
In general, you should consider cleaning ducts only as a the event of specific problems that are identifiable. For instance the EPA recommends having air ducts cleaned when there is evidence to suggest:
If you or anyone else in your home is suffering from health issues specific to them like asthma or allergies, you should consult your doctor first. It is crucial to determine the issue so that your physician will be able to suggest alternative methods to cleaning your ducts. Begin by determining if your ducts contribute to the issue (they most likely aren't) and whether having their ducts cleaned will aid (it likely will not). Check out the Air Duct Cleaning Near Me for cleaning your air duct.
If you're concerned about mold, you're not alone.
If you suspect that there is a mold issue, whether due to visible growth or a musty odor that is constantly coming from supply vents, cleaning the ducts won't do any in the end if they don't get rid of the mold. The cause of mold is an issue with moisture and the ducts aren't likely to be the cause. Most likely to be the cause is those cooling system's coils that evaporate which your heating and cooling contractor -- as well as the majority of companies that clean ducts -- will examine and clean. Leaky return ducts may also cause moisture. If you suspect that there is a problem with mold think about having a professional firm inspect the ducts for leaks.
