Is Air Duct Cleaning Worth It?

2.10.2010

New York, New York – Yes, according to an Ohio woman who was at first very skeptical about air duct cleaning. She had a change of heart when a friend told her how much her family’s allergies had been improved. After finding a cleaner on “Angie’s List”, the Ohio woman was amazed at the improvement in air quality in her house. The article which is featured on the NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners of America) website offers some some arguments for and against duct cleaning. The details are outlined below.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) takes a slightly reactive approach to air duct cleaning by suggesting that ducts get cleaned when things like mold or pests are cluttering the system. NADCA on the other hand feels that the factors like weather conditions, pets, home cleanliness that can affect your system will determine to some extent how often you need cleaning. The president of NADCA believes that every three to five years is a good time period between cleanings. This recommendation is based on maintaining a clean and efficient system.

A good cleaning, according to NADCA, is one in which the ducts are not simply swept out but looks over every component that makes up the system.

Admittedly, this is not an inexpensive procedure, which can be attributed to the expensive equipment needed to perform it. However, not having your ducts cleaned can cost you more in the long run because dirty systems run with less efficiency than clean systems. The NADCA president has gone so far as to equate duct cleaning to sweeping and mopping your floor, for instance. He says that it sometimes falls into the category of out of sight, out of mind. The air we breathe in our houses is sometimes taken for granted.

The EPA and NADCA agree that whenever you do get your ducts cleaned, it should be done by an experienced professional. Failure to get a person with solid knowledge of these systems will only leave you with particles thrown into the air, or worse, a damaged HVAC system. The EPA further recommends that all cleaners follow NADCA standards. A listing of certified individuals and companies can be found on the NADCA website. The standards were originally developed in 1992 after it was discovered that many HVAC cleaning companies were not taking the proper steps.