Air Duct Cleaning Facts
Introduction To Air Duct Cleaning
The air ducts and vents that are designed specifically as
an air cleaning system could well be making us ill. This is
because dirty air ducts, without thorough and regular cleaning,
literally become a breeding ground for allergens. These allergens,
including dust mites, animal dander, and pollen, not only inflame
existing allergies but can cause difficulties in breathing and a
multitude of diseases. Subsequently, the air cleaning system in
our home also circulates these allergens around the home.
Duct Cleaning Improves The Energy Efficiency Of Your Air Cleaning System
Duct cleaning can actually improve the energy efficiency of your home. The
household dust and other contaminants that are attracted into the air ducts
can easily and readily find their way from the air cleaning system into the
HVAC system within your home. This dust build up can have a serious impact
on the energy efficiency of your system. The EPA (Environmental Protection
Agency) has noted that a build up of less than half an inch of dust can
decrease energy efficiency by nearly a quarter. Regular air duct cleaning
can, therefore, help to improve or prevent the decline of your home?s energy
efficiency.
Duct Cleaning Improves The Working Efficiency And Life Of Your HVAC System
A dust build up within your HVAC system may also lead to a shortened life and
decreased working efficiency. The same build up of allergens and other potential
air pollutants mean that the HVAC system needs to work harder in order to
be effective. The result is a greater wear and tear on the system that can
only truly be prevented through effective and regular air duct cleaning.
HEPA-Filtered Vacuums Used In Duct Cleaning
HEPA (High-efficiency Particle Air) filtered vacuums are the most common
tool for cleaning the air cleaning system in a home. Also referred to as
negative air collectors, HEPA-filtered vacuums can be used safely within
the home because they create a negative air pressure and ensure that all
of the debris to be collected is passed into the vacuum and does not enter
the living space.
The Use Of None HEPA-Filtered Vacuums For Duct Cleaning
An alternative to the use of HEP-filtered vacuums is the use of none
HEPA-filtered vacuums. This type of vacuum filters the debris and
potentially contaminated air into an area that is not occupied.
Typically this means exhausting the vacuum outdoors. None HEPA-filtered
vacuums are usually used for cases where larger debris is found.
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association
NADCA, or the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, was formed in
1989 in light of the fact that air duct cleaning is currently an
unregulated industry. NADCA now works extremely closely with the
Environmental Protection Agency and has developed industry standards
on the cleaning process and has also developed a certification program.
Because the industry is unregulated, it is not necessary for an air duct
cleaner to gain this certification, but the EPA recommends using a service
provider that has gained this helpful certificate.
Why Bother With Air Duct Cleaning
The air cleaning system in your home is designed to provide you with a
constant flow of healthy air that is free of contaminants. However,
without regular and thorough cleaning it is quite possible that it
is literally spilling out allergens and toxins into the atmosphere
around you. While air duct cleaning is not even considered a part of
the regular maintenance and cleaning of your air cleaning system or
HVAC unit, it is strongly recommended that you at least have your
system checked and tested, if not cleaned on a regular basis.