Sadly, if you asked most homeowners this question they’d likely respond “never.” This couldn’t be further from the truth. Ducts are very vulnerable to a number of different problems that can and will occur without proper cleaning at least once every two or three years. Let’s examine those problems that can affect your ducts, and how duct cleaning can solve for them.
Airborne Pollutants
The air inside your home is actually full of microscopic particles. Not all of these particulates are harmful, but there are more than a few varieties that can be. Dust and pollen, along with insect dander, are lung irritants that can set off allergy attacks in people. Also common are several forms of viruses and bacteria, which can infect and sicken people who are exposed to them. Mold spores are also present fairly often, which can cause illness. These pollutants have an ideal habitat inside your ducts, as they are dark and often undisturbed by the occupants of the house. They build up over time until your heater or air conditioning system is turned on, at which point all those pollutants are blown out of the vents and circulated throughout your house.
Duct Cleaning
Duct cleaning is conducted to remove these airborne pollutants from your home, to increase your indoor air quality. Depending on the type of ducts, the HVAC technician can either suck the debris out of them with a special vacuum or brush them out with a set of brushes. Once the ducts are sufficiently cleaned, a chemical solution is occasionally applied to kill off any remaining germs or other biological contaminants.
Duct cleaning is often paired with duct sealing, to make sure that the ducts are both clear and properly insulated. The average forced air heating system loses about 30% of its heat to leaks in the ductwork, so it’s quite important to seal any leaks that are found during the cleaning process.
If you haven’t had your ducts cleaned in a few years, schedule an appointment today with SPS Mechanical Inc. and let us take care of it. We provide professional duct cleaning services throughout the Cherry Hill area.
