Why Clean Your Air Ducts?
Did you know that a typical six-room home can produce up to 40 pounds of dust and dirt every year? It might not sound that bad until you consider that unhealthy bacteria, fungi, mold, and dust mites thrive in that dust and dirt. In fact, as many as 19,000 dust mites can inhabit just one gram of dust (approximately the weight of a paperclip) and they are the most common cause of allergies from house dust according to The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
In addition to dust, dirt, and allergens, dirty air ducts lead to wasted energy and higher utility bills. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 25 to 40 percent of energy used to heat and cool a home is wasted because of contaminants in the heating and cooling system that force it to work harder and shorten the life of the system. When the system is clean, however, it doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the desired temperature, and, as a result, the system works more efficiently and less energy is used.
The “Lungs of Your Home”
A home’s heating and cooling system is often referred to as the “lungs of a home.” The system takes in air and breathes it out. While it’s not visible, people and their pets generate a large amount of air pollutants, such as dust, pet dander, and even chemicals.
These contaminants are pulled into the HVAC system and then re-circulated throughout your home around five to seven times every single day, resulting in a build-up of contaminants in the duct work. Not surprisingly, the EPA estimates indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. This can lead to serious issues for people with allergies, respiratory conditions, and autoimmune disorders, particularly in children and the elderly.
How Do You Know if Your Air Ducts Need Cleaned?
Because the buildup of dirt, dust and allergens is hidden behind vent covers, it can be difficult to know if air ducts need cleaned. Experts recommend that air ducts be cleaned every two to five years depending on the number of people and pets living in the home, but there are other red flags homeowners can watch for to determine if a professional duct cleaning is necessary, including:
- Streaks of dirt at juncture points
- Open spaces where the duct work enters and leaves the furnace or air conditioner
- Visible mold growth inside the ducts, registers, or other components of the HVAC System
- A musty, moldy smell when the heating or cooling system kicks on
- Signs of rodents and/or insects
You may also need to have your air ducts cleaned if you’ve recently remodeled your home or if you’ve experienced a fire or flood in the house.
Preventing Dirty Air Ducts After They’re Cleaned
ServiceMaster Restoration by Advanced is specially trained to clean air ducts. Additionally, it offers an APCO UV system that can be installed following an air duct cleaning to keep the indoor air quality in a home up to a higher standard. After spending the time and money involved in having a professional clean the air ducts, it is a good idea to ensure they stay clean as long as possible. The APCO UV system sanitizes the air, keeps the ducts and home cleaner longer and sanitizes the air, and deodorizes the entire house all year long.
With the installation of an electrostatic filter, which works by charging the dust particles in the air that are then attracted to metal plates in the machine, as well as an APCO UV system following a duct cleaning, clients breathe in healthier air overall. Not only will duct cleaning will help protect your family from 29 different allergens discovered in air duct systems, it will minimize time spent dusting and vacuuming, as well as help save you money on your utility bills. Has it been more than two years since your air ducts have been cleaned? If so, call us at (866) 379-4968 and we can discuss your situation and ways we can assist you.
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