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There are numerous conflicting claims about the value of cleaning air ducts. Many of the naysayers will generalize the service as largely unnecessary, or as a way for cleaning companies to offer “great deals” to homeowners that don’t actually need the service or don’t know any better. And it’s true, these solicitor-types do exist. To make things worse, they hide poor services behind supposedly cheap rates designed to undercut actual professionals.
Even though it’s not a task that needs to be performed with regular frequency, having your air ducts cleaned by the Pros is absolutely worth it under the right circumstances. In order to help you better understand the service, here’s a breakdown of air duct cleaning and some of the most common warning signs that it’s time to have a professional assess the cleanliness of your system.
When that moment arrives, Jiffy offers Professional Duct Cleaning Services that are designed around doing the job right.
When Should Air Ducts Be Cleaned?
A duct cleaning professional can help you to identify any existing or potential contamination issues in your HVAC system. That’s why it’s important to have your system assessed before committing to anything. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)¹, the most common indicators that your air ducts need cleaning are:
- Your ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of matted dust, pet hair and/or debris, to the point where you can see particles coming through the vent grilles. This is especially common after a renovation or home maintenance work.
- You’ve seen or heard signs of vermin (rodents, insects, etc.).
- There is visible mold growth in the ducts themselves or on other parts of your system.
It’s important to note that a moderate amount of dust build-up in your air ducts is normal and not detrimental to your home on its own. True professionals know this, which is why they will first try to evaluate the cleanliness of your entire system instead of simply vacuuming your vents and calling it a day.
What Does Duct Cleaning Entail?
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) suggests that proper duct cleaning involves much more than vacuuming vents. It’s really about addressing the cleanliness of the HVAC system as a whole. Failure to do so will result in a negation of any incomplete efforts. This means addressing areas like the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers, heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.¹
Furthermore, proper duct cleaning should focus on both breaking contaminants loose and thoroughly collecting the contaminants:
Breaking Contaminants Loose: The process involves using tools to agitate the sources of dirt and contamination within the heating and air conditioning system and preparing them for removal. These tools can include agitation brushes, air whips, compressed air nozzles, high-quality vacuums and more.
Collecting the Contaminants: This is a crucial step in the cleaning process. Ineffective collecting practises can allow the now-agitated contaminants to flow freely into the home when the system is turned back on. Quite obviously, this would render the entire cleaning process useless. During collection, the entire HVAC system is placed under continuous negative pressure to prevent the spread of contaminants. Continuous negative pressure allows very fine particles to be removed from the system as they become airborne.²
A Note on Mould
Out of everything that can build up in the ducts of your HVAC system, mould presents the biggest health concern to the members of your home. According to the USEPA, the primary cause of mould or fungi infestations in your duct system is moisture. Moisture most often presents itself in your home’s HVAC system through leaks or if the system has been improperly installed, sealed or serviced.
Regardless of the cause, mould thrives in dank, dirty conditions, which should be reason enough to have your system assessed and, if needed, serviced for cleanliness. Some signs that you may have mould in your ducts are³:
- A moldy or musty smell in the house, especially around the vents or when the air conditioner unit is on.
- Visible mold growing in or around vent grilles, inside air ducts, or drip pans. Where there is some mold, there is often more.
- In extreme cases where mold can run rampant in the home, hay fever-like allergic symptoms can arise. Individuals with respiratory issues like asthma may also experience difficulty breathing.⁴
Jiffy Also Offers Mould Remediation Services >>
Air Quality
Over time, dander, dust, chemicals and other pollutants will inevitably build up and circulate through a home’s HVAC system. Even though dirty air ducts don’t always bring about poor air quality in your home, addressing the cleanliness of your HVAC system on an as-needed is still very advisable. This is especially true in homes where inhabitants have respiratory issues or are prone to allergic reactions.
That said, it’s important to stress that duct cleaning is only effective if the cleanliness of the whole HVAC system is taken into account. Your air quality doesn’t stand a chance of improving unless the service is thorough. This is why duct cleaning should always be left to trained professionals.
So, is Cleaning Air Ducts Worth It?
Absolutely. Just because it’s a job that doesn’t have to be performed at the frequency of other household tasks, doesn’t mean it lacks importance. Duct cleaning can have lasting benefits, just as categorically ignoring the service can have negative consequences in the home. When it comes to duct cleaning, it’s important to remember the following three things:
- Always have your HVAC system assessed for overall cleanliness prior to the start of any job.
- Have a Pro explain to you the nature of the job and the work that’s involved.
- Duct cleaning is only effective if your HVAC system’s various components are serviced as a whole.
Book an Air Duct Cleaning Professional With Jiffy
If you believe it’s time for a thorough cleaning of your air ducts, book duct cleaning services with Jiffy today and breathe a little easier. Our Pros will assess your duct situation, ensure that you fully understand the scope of the services, and complete the job to a high standard.
Booking couldn’t be simpler. Simply fill in your order details and location, identify the timing that works best for you and we will dispatch the nearest Pro at the requested time. All of our rates are competitive and preset, so you’re always in the know about what’s owed for the job you’re booking. Sign up with Jiffy today and see how easy home improvement can be.
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