Is it necessary to have my air ducts cleaned? Is it even worth it? Does it bring any benefit to my home? These are questions that many homeowners ask. You might be asking these questions yourself right now. Though you might want a 'Yes' or 'No' response, the answer is not as easy as the question.
In this Article we will help you answer the following questions:
· Is it worth having your air ducts cleaned, and when should you do it?
· Is air duct cleaning beneficial?
· Is air duct cleaning a scam? If yes, how can you avoid being scammed?
Is it worth getting your ducts cleaned, and when should you do it?
To many, it’s not that necessary to think about cleaning your air ducts.
Even the Environmental Protection Agency is not clear as to whether air duct cleaning is worth the effort or not. Though the EPA recommend doing it because of some benefits it provides, they are not sure of the exact impact it has on your home and your family’s health.
It is recommended to have your air ducts cleaned every 4-6 years, depending on the size of the house, number of family members, whether you have pets or not, how often you cook, how often you run the ventilation system, etc. These are some cases when you should get your air ducts cleaned.
· Moving into a new home.
If you just moved into a new residence, you should consider having your ducts cleaned. Even if the house is a new construction, the ducts could potentially be dirty from the construction of the house.
· Existence of dust and debris.
Dust and debris are the enemies of your HVAC system. Dust will clog up your air handling unit, and cause decreased air flow and efficiency and shorten the life of the equipment.
· Mold Growth.
When there is significant evidence of mold growth in the ducts and other components of your heating and cooling system, you need air duct cleaning. Remember, it’s not easy to detect mold. You will need a professional HVAC expert to do so. Lab testing is often required to confirm results.
Is it beneficial to clean my air ducts?
Not much research has been conducted to study the benefits of duct cleaning, but just because not much evidence exists to support these claims, does not mean the process is not beneficial.
· Improved indoor air quality.
· Improved air flow.
· No bad odors.
· Lower energy bills
· Increased life of your HVAC unit.
How to avoid air duct cleaning scams?
You should do extensive research on the company. Here are some things to consider:
· Make sure the company is NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association) certified
· Check BBB (Better Business Bureau) accreditation
· Be sure to check if the company is properly licensed. Some states such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, District of Columbia require state Home Improvement Contractor license, some others like Michigan and California require air duct cleaning license. There are states that do not have any particular licensing requirements for the industry: Maryland, Virginia, Colorado, etc.
· Check online reviews on reputable websites: Google, Yelp, Angie’s List, HomeAdvisor, Facebook, etc.
· Don’t fall for bait and switch ads. The cost for air duct cleaning can be $300-$1000, depending on a job. If something is too good to be true, it probably is.
Final Advice.
You will not need to clean your ducts every year, however it is necessary to take care of your HVAC system and make sure it does not get clogged or infested with mold. If you decide to hire professionals, make sure they are certified, licensed and insured.