Why Should You Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned?

2.10.2010

New York, New York — According to the North American Duct Cleaner’s Association (NADCA), your air ducts gather an accumulation of dirt and other airborne particles. There are also additional factors that can increase the amount of particulate that collects in your ducts. These include things such as pets, home renovation, cigarette or cigar smoke, and more.

There are a couple of ways that you as a home owner can tell if your ducts are in need of cleaning. First, you can take a screwdriver and remove either a floor or wall register. Then you can either use a mirror and flashlight to inspect your duct(s) or use a digital camera to take a picture. Generally, if you are able to see dirt and debris, you need to consider having your ducts cleaned. Also, as NADCA points out, “air duct cleaning” is a misnomer and by that they mean that you should have your entire HVAC system cleaned because if there are still parts that are dirty, the entire system could become re-contaminated. Air duct cleaning not only means cleaning the ducts themselves and the registers, but also includes the units fan, housing, and motor.

NADCA strongly encourages that if you choose to have your system cleaned, then you select a member of NADCA to do it. It is not because they are self-indulgent, but because their organization has a stringent code of ethics that all technicians are required to abide by. NADCA members can be found on their website by zip code or the name of a person.

The Proper Process

There are two key elements of any inspection and cleaning process: the breaking up of the contaminants and the collection of the contaminants.

• Breaking up the Contaminants – To begin, the cleaner will use some form of an agitation device to loosen things. This can include things such as brushes or industrial air blowers and a cleaner should also use contact vacuuming.
• Collecting the Contaminants – While the cleaning is in progress, the system will be placed under “continuous negative pressure” in the form of a vacuum. Cunningham Duct Cleaning uses a truck mounted vacuum that pulls air at 15,000 CFMs to pull contaminates from your ducts directly to the truck without ever posing a threat to your home cleanliness. This collects contaminants that were loosened during the first phase as well as to gather any other contaminants that may become airborne.

While the cleaning of your HVAC system is not overly complicated, each job is unique. When possible, the existing openings, like registers and duct end caps, should be used for duct access. However, in order for a system to be properly cleaned, additional openings may need to be created at the technician’s discretion. That process, along with the need that follows for proper closure, is one reason why skilled craftsmen should be involved.

The equipment used in the cleaning of your HVAC system can vary, but both truck-mounted and portable vacuums are used to sufficiently clean your system. Also, while chemicals such as sanitizers, disinfectants, and deodorizers are used in order to control microbial growth in your system, they are used only after mechanical surface cleaning has been done. Chemicals used in HVAC duct work must be approved by the epa.

The cleaning of your system is a worthwhile investment in terms of the health and well-being of the people living in the house. Between cleanings, it is important that you regularly change your air filters (your contractor should be able to recommend some) and that you have your home system inspected every two years to check for problems.

Call Cunningham Duct Cleaning Co. today at 631.665.6400 to set up an appointment.