Need Duct Cleaning? Here’s What You Should Know.

Everyone wants to make sure that they have clean air circulating through their home. A popular HVAC maintenance item that homeowners consider to improve home air quality is duct cleaning. You might have even seen horrifying pictures of dusty air ducts online and scrambled to call an HVAC professional. But not so fast– air duct cleaning may not be as good an idea as it intuitively seems. Here’s what you should know before ringing up your HVAC company.

What Is Duct Cleaning?

Duct cleaning is the cleaning of the inside of the air ducts that carry air to and from your heating and cooling components of your HVAC system. Professionals use specialized tools to dislodge dirt in the ducts before they are vacuumed out. If this is not done properly you can do more harm than good.

Air ducts can be contaminated with mold, bacteria, pollen, dust mites, chemical residue, and other household pollutants. A malfunctioning HVAC system, ineffective air filters, improperly installed ductwork, and moisture buildup all can cause air duct contamination.

Is Duct Cleaning Necessary?

While it’s true that air duct cleaning can have health benefits and increase the quality of the air you breathe, it’s not always a smart or necessary practice. In fact, duct cleaning can pose a health risk because it could cause mold or dust particles to be dispersed in the air around your home.

According to the EPA, there is no evidence that a light buildup of dust has any impact on indoor air quality. This is because buildup usually remains in the duct and doesn’t get carried out of the ducts once it’s become stationary inside. It is only really necessary if there is an excessive amount of buildup, or some other concern such as substantial mold growth or an insect infestation.

ALLRED: The Best HVAC Company In Washington

At ALLRED, we won’t try to upsell you on services that you don’t actually need. The truth is, duct cleaning is not a crucial part of HVAC routine maintenance. If you’re worried about the air quality of your home or experiencing HVAC system issues, give us a call. Our team of experienced technicians are equipped to inspect your system and ensure that everything is running smoothly. Contact us today for a free quote.