Air Duct Cleaning: Is It Worth It?
November 22, 2021
For most homeowners, the last thing on your mind in today's crazy world is whether or not your ducts are dirty. Like most services for your home, what matters most is who you get to do the job.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends you have a qualified and licensed technician check every component of your HVAC system during a duct cleaning service. For the best result, be sure whomever you hire is certified and you trust them to complete the service correctly. Let's break down what you can do to ensure you get the most value out of your service.
What Makes Air Duct Cleaning Necessary?
Your air ducts allow your system to deliver hot or cold air throughout your home without using multiple units. The EPA says that if ducts are not cleaned, "components may become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen or other debris. In addition, if moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth (e.g., mold) is increased, and spores from such growth may be released into the home's living space.”
Mold growth and poor indoor air quality can lower the quality of life for every member of the household. If you or someone living in your home has repository issues, you should take the time to ensure your ducts are clean, or they could be at risk of a negative reaction.
What Is Air Duct Cleaning?
The best thing you can do to avoid high service fees without the results when getting your air ducts cleaned is to know what exactly the service entails. According to the EPA, your technician should be inspecting the following components of your forced-air system:
- The supply and return air ducts and registers
- Grilles and diffusers
- Heat exchangers
- Heating and cooling coils
- Condensate drain pans (drip pans)
- Fan motor and fan housing
- The air handling unit housing
Be sure to ask if all these tasks will be completed during your service. If not, there are many reliable contractors that will meet every need.
Deciding Whether or Not to Have Your Ducts Cleaned
When making this decision, it's important to remember that every home and situation is different. For example, if you've had your ducts inspected without issue and no one living in your home suffers from allergies or respiratory diseases, you probably don't need to have them serviced. On the other hand, if someone in your home is at risk and you start to notice symptoms, it's most likely going to be beneficial.
The EPA states that if you have any of the issues below, it’s a good idea to have your ducts cleaned immediately.
- Evidence of substantial mold growth inside ducts or other components of your heating and cooling system.
- Ducts are infested with vermin, e.g. (rodents or insects)
- Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris, or particles are released into the home from your supply registers.
Worth It?
Cleaning your air ducts is an essential service, as long as you're getting it done by a thorough, certified professional. It's also important to remember that if you've had your ducts inspected and there are no significant issues and no one in your family is at risk, then it may not be necessary. However, if you think your home's ducts might be due for a service, give Mohr AC a call for an honest assessment.