If you want to enjoy cleaner air, you need to make sure that your home’s air ducts are clean. Dusty air ducts can be harmful to your health and cause allergies. Mold growth can also be a problem in your ducts. You may be wondering if you should hire a professional air duct cleaner. This article will help you learn more about air duct cleaning, including the costs involved.
EPA Doesn’t Recommend Regular Air Duct Cleaning
While the EPA doesn’t recommend air duct cleaning regularly, they do recommend it in certain situations. When a home or business’ air ducts are dirty, the HVAC system can become contaminated, which in turn can lead to mold growth and release spores into the air. To prevent these problems, facility managers should take preventative measures to keep ducts clean. This includes changing filters regularly. You should change them more often if they become clogged.
If you suffer from allergies or asthma, you may want to contact your doctor and discuss the pros and cons of duct cleaning. Your physician can recommend other treatments and determine whether duct cleaning will help or worsen your symptoms. However, you should always seek a doctor’s advice before making any decisions about duct cleaning.
If you’re concerned about health hazards, consider hiring a company that uses environmentally friendly products. Some companies advertise that they use “green” products, but many of them do not label the chemicals used. Most sanitizers and anti-microbials that are used in duct cleaning have not been evaluated by the EPA. This makes it difficult to know if these chemicals are safe for your health.
Dusty Air Ducts Can Cause Allergies
A home’s air ducts can trap dust, allergens, and other particles that affect your health. These particles can irritate your allergies and lead to pulmonary issues. Moreover, dusty air ducts can block your airways, making it harder for your body to get the proper amount of oxygen it needs. It could even cause dizziness or loss of consciousness.
Besides triggering allergies, unclean air ducts also spread pollen and dust. This is because pollen enters your home through open windows and gets dispersed by your HVAC system. Other allergens may include mold, which can grow anywhere inside the home and releases airborne spores that can cause allergic reactions.
If you already suffer from allergies, cleaning your air ducts is an effective way to prevent flare-ups. These allergens can irritate your sinuses and trigger an allergy attack. The most effective way to prevent this from happening is to clean your air ducts on a regular basis.
Mold Growth In Air Ducts
Mold growth in air ducts can be a serious health risk for homeowners. This fungus spores are invisible to the naked eye, but they can cause a variety of symptoms, including headaches, itchy eyes, and irritated noses. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you should immediately inspect your air ducts and take remedial action.
Keeping your home clean and dry is the best way to prevent mold growth in your air ducts. You should also make sure your air ducts are well-ventilated. And you should repair any leaks as soon as you notice them. Using a professional mold testing kit is a good way to ensure that the ducts are clean.
Mold growth in air ducts usually begins in an air conditioning system, where it disseminates throughout the air ductwork of your home. Other types of mold can affect your home’s air ducts, too. Acremonium Mold is widespread and tends to accumulate near damp areas of the ducts. Alternaria Mold, meanwhile, is another type of mold that is not easily spotted and needs a constant supply of water to thrive.
Cost Of Professional Air Duct Cleaning
Professional air duct cleaning is not cheap, and it is recommended to have it done at least every five to seven years to improve the efficiency of your HVAC system. The cost depends on the size of the ductwork, the number of vents, and the level of contamination. Dirty ducts will not only lower the efficiency of your system, but they can also cause health problems.
The price for cleaning your air ducts varies considerably, so it is best to ask around before hiring a professional. Many pros charge by the number of vents, while others charge per square foot. You can also ask for a free estimate to determine the cost. Some professionals offer a flat rate for cleaning only a few vents, while others offer a package rate if you need to have the whole overhang cleaned.
When hiring a professional air duct cleaner, it is important to choose someone with a proven track record. Many reputable companies are members of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association. You can check the NADCA’s website to find a company in your area. The website also lists the employees and business history of each company.
