Welcome to "Healthy House," my column to help you keep your home healthy and safe. In this feature, I'm focusing on Air Duct Cleaning.
Before you fire-up your AC unit after a long winter, consider cleaning your ducts. Spring is a great time to freshen up your home and your indoor air quality too. Who wants to inhale dust, pollen, dirt and mold?
What is air duct cleaning? And why do it?
The EPA warns...If not properly installed, maintained and operated, components in your heating and air system may become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen and other debris. If moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth (mold) is increased and spores may be released into your home's living space. Some of these contaminants may cause allergic reactions or other symptoms in people if the are exposed to them. A proper air duct cleaning will remove these contaminants.
Restricted airflow from ducts results in more energy consumption. By clearing the ducts of debris, the air flows freely through the vent -- thus creating more positive heating and cooling.
Older homes may have more of a dust, debris and moisture build up. Newer homes fall victim to contractors leaving behind sheet rock and building materials inside the ducts that not only restrict air flow but significantly increases the volume of dust released into the home.
Methods of duct cleaning vary. I use the Rotobrush (tm) system. I feel that by entering each duct individually using a rotating brush to gently scrape the sidewalls of the duct and extracting the loose material into a high powered vacuum is the safest and most effective method of cleaning. Each vent cover is cleaned and replaced.
The EPA does not endorse or certify contractors; any company claiming to be certified by the EPA is false advertising.
Do not be fooled by mail offer gimmicks. A typical air duct cleaning runs between $250.00-$1,000.00 depending on the amount of heating systems and air ducts. Understand all the charges prior to hiring a contractor. Work with someone who is fully insured and guarantees their work.
Help improve your indoor air quality and energy consumption this summer. Clean your air ducts prior to running your air conditioning unit.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions regarding air duct cleaning or any other healthy-house concern.
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