How Necessary is Air Duct Cleaning?

Air ducts are the circulatory system of your home, and just like the human circulatory system, they benefit from some care. Because they’re out of sight for most homeowners, you may not spend much time thinking about them. But they can become dirty or clogged due to the volume of air (and airborne particulates) they carry. Many HVAC companies offer duct cleaning, but will it really help your home?

The answer depends on your specific circumstances. While the interior of ducts is often dusty, dust which adheres to the sides of the ductwork generally doesn’t harm your indoor air quality too much — after all, if it’s stuck to the duct, it’s as removed from your airflow as it would be after being caught by an air filter or electrostatic air cleaner. But there are other cases where professional air cleaning might be worth the time and expense. Here are a few:

• If your ducts are clogged — by shed pieces of insulation, for example — in a way which obstructs airflow (or, worse, could be drawn into the inner workings of your furnace or A/C), the obstruction should be cleared as soon as possible.
• If your ducts are visibly shedding dust into your living areas, your ducts may be a good candidate for professional cleaning.
• If mold, mildew, or fungal colonies have established themselves inside your ductwork, they should be cleared out to protect the health of your family and visitors.
• If rodents, birds, or other small animals have inhabited your ductwork, cleaning (and sealing) your ducts can get them out and deter them from coming back.
• If you or any of your household members have severe allergies or other respiratory ailments, cleaning your ducts and investing in other air cleaning appliances may help you manage them.

If you’d like to learn more about the health of your Lorain home’s air ducts, give Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning a call today!

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air duct cleaning and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.

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