Do all homes need an air duct cleaning or inspection? You've likely heard of these services—but you might not be sure if they're necessary. Take a look at what homeowners need to know about air ducts, indoor air quality, HVAC efficiency, system inspections, and professional cleaning services.
Do All Air Ducts Require Regular Cleaning?
The answer to the question depends on the ducts and the home. A brand-new home with a brand-new HVAC system won't require a duct cleaning. Likewise, a newer home or a home with a newer HVAC system (including newly installed ducts) also won't require a routine cleaning.
Even though new homes and systems usually won't require these services, some special situations may make a duct inspection or cleaning necessary. A new home or system with odd odors that come from the vents, a pest problem in the ducts, or multiple pets may require these services. Likewise, your home may need these services after exposure to pollutants, exposure to environmental contaminants, or after water damage that has entered the HVAC system.
But unlike newer homes, the ducts of older homes have had years or decades to accumulate chrome, gunk, and contaminants. If the previous owners (or the owners before them) failed to care for the HVAC system, didn't change or clean the air filter regularly, never or rarely had routine heating and cooling checkups and cleanings from a professional contractor, had pets, had a dusty home, never or rarely cleaned the vents, or did not remove pests from ducts promptly, a cleaning service can help.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that homeowners should consider cleaning the HVAC system's air ducts if mold growth is on the ducts or parts of the heating and cooling system, the ducts have a rodent or other pest infestation, or excessive amounts of dust or debris are present.
Do Your Home's Ducts Need an Inspection Before a Cleaning?
If you're not sure whether to schedule a cleaning service or not, start with an inspection. This service can help you to find the culprit behind odd HVAC odors, strange indoor air scents, or unexplained allergies that only happen inside of your home. They can also help you to spot potential problems in the heating or cooling system.
While you can easily see into the first foot or first feet of the ducts, the rest of the sheet metal labyrinth is a mystery to you. Mold might be growing deep inside the ductwork, pests might have nested out of view, or the most inner parts of the system might have substantial debris or dust accumulation.
A professional inspection contractor can look deeper into the air ducts than you could. This in-depth look allows them to spot problems, clogs, or any other issue that you will need to address. Not only can a duct inspection find areas that require a cleaning service, but it can also locate gaps, cracks, wear, and other damage.
Any break in the system allows air to leak out, increasing the HVAC system's energy needs. The result is decreased heating and cooling power, excessive wear, and higher utility bills. A duct inspection and repair service can help your heater or air conditioner to work at peak performance. Along with utility cost savings, this can reduce or even eliminate HVAC repair and wear-related expenses.
Should You Clean Your Own Air Ducts?
Like air duct inspection, air duct cleaning is not a DIY project to try out. Even though it might seem like you could save money by cleaning your home's ducts yourself, it's unlikely that you could reach deep enough into the system to remove all of the debris.
A professional cleaning contractor has the skills, experience, and equipment necessary to eliminate dirt, debris, pest droppings, pet fur, mold, and anything else in your home's air ducts.
Do you need to schedule a duct cleaning or inspection service? Contact
CJ Services Inc for more information.
