If you’re concerned about the air quality of your home and you think duct cleaning might help, consider these points before hiring a professional to do the job.

If health problems are a concern and you feel cleaning your ducts may help resolve the problem, keep in mind that there’s no proof that duct cleaning prevents health issues according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Cleaning ducts does remove dirt that can enter the home, but there are other conditions more likely to aggravate health issues and interfere with indoor air quality, such as chemical cleaning products, cooking and smoking.

The EPA also doesn’t suggest routine cleaning of your ducts, but does recommend it if any of the following conditions exist:

• Mold contamination on the hard surface of the ducts or anywhere within your heating and cooling system: Contamination can look like mold, but not actually be mold. You may have a lab test done to determine if it’s truly mold. Without the test, you could pay to clean your ducts when it isn’t warranted. Also be aware that any mold found in your unit, even if not in your ducts, can contaminate the rest of your system. The cause of mold formation needs to be discovered and resolved, or it may re-infest your system.
• Your find rodents or insects in your ductwork: Their entryway is usually through disconnected or torn ducts which should be repaired. They can deposit their droppings in the ductwork, which is then blown into your living space.
• Your ducts are clogged with debris or particles, which can restrict airflow and contaminate your air quality.

For more expert advice about duct cleaning and other issues related to home heating and cooling, please contact the pros at Smoky Mountain Heating & Air. Serving the Asheville area and surrounding communities.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Asheville, North Carolina and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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