Air duct cleaning is a process that can help enhance the performance and life expectancy of your HVAC system. It can also reduce the risk of hazardous diseases, but it is not always possible to do a visual inspection. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not usually recommend air duct cleaning, but they do suggest that you inspect and service ovens, stoves, and chimneys before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. Studies suggest that cleaning dirty cooling coils, fans, and heat exchangers can improve the efficiency of heating and cooling systems, but there is little evidence to suggest that simply cleaning the duct system will increase efficiency. You may have seen advertisements or received coupons in the mail offering air duct cleaning services as a way to improve indoor air quality.
When service providers visit your home, ask them to show you the contamination that would justify cleaning the ducts. If you've recently purchased a home or are unsure if previous homeowners changed filters regularly, now is a good time to clean your ducts and tune up your system. Cleaning dirt and debris from HVAC components will improve the efficiency of the HVAC system. The EPA states that no research has conclusively demonstrated whether cleaning ducts prevents health problems. Since every home's conditions are different, it's impossible to generalize about whether cleaning your home's air ducts would be beneficial or not.
Products used for air duct cleaning should be tested in accordance with standards established by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This is because much of the dirt in the air ducts adheres to the duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living space. Sealants should never be used on wet duct lining, to cover actively growing mold, or to cover debris in ducts. They should only be applied after cleaning in accordance with NADCA or other appropriate guidelines or standards. Manufacturers of products marketed to coat and encapsulate duct surfaces claim that these sealants prevent dust and dirt particles inside air ducts from being released into the air.
In some cases, it may be appropriate to use sealants to encapsulate duct surfaces, such as when repairing damaged fiberglass insulation or combating fire damage to ducts. Whether you decide to clean your home's air ducts or not, it's essential to commit to a good preventive maintenance program to minimize duct contamination. Cleaning the accumulations inside the ducts will allow the system to deliver and extract air smoothly and effortlessly, eliminating the need to operate under pressure.
