When it comes to maintaining air ducts, proper cleaning and upkeep is essential. Without it, moisture can build up and create mold and mildew, leading to a variety of issues. Your HVAC system will have to work harder to get the same results, resulting in higher energy costs. Uneven cooling and heating of rooms can also be a consequence of not cleaning air ducts regularly.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has yet to make a general recommendation on whether or not you should clean the air ducts in your home. Studies have not been able to conclusively demonstrate that particle levels in homes with dirty air ducts are higher than those with clean air ducts. This is because much of the dirt in the air ducts adheres to the duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living space. It's important to note that dirty air ducts are just one of many possible sources of particulate matter present in homes.
Contaminants from outdoor and indoor activities, such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or simply moving around, can cause greater exposure to contaminants than dirty air ducts. Before ducting is cleaned, modernized, or replaced, the cause or causes must be corrected, or else the problem is likely to recur. Some research suggests that cleaning the components of heating and cooling systems (e.g., heating coils, cooling coils, fans and heat exchangers) may improve system efficiency and reduce indoor pollutants. You can consider cleaning the air ducts simply because it seems logical that they will become dirty over time and need to be cleaned from time to time. As long as the cleaning is done correctly, there is no evidence to suggest that such cleaning is harmful.
The EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned routinely, but only when necessary. If you decide to clean your air ducts, take the same consumer precautions you would normally take when evaluating the competence and reliability of the service provider. Whether or not you decide to clean your home's air ducts, preventing water and dirt from entering the system is the most effective way to prevent contamination. If you decide to clean your heating and cooling system, it's important to ensure that the service provider is committed to cleaning all components of the system and is qualified to do so. In addition, the service provider can propose the application of chemical biocides designed to remove microbiological contaminants. Some service providers may also suggest applying chemical treatments (sealants or other encapsulants) to encapsulate or cover the inner surfaces of air ducts and equipment housings because they believe they will control mold growth or prevent the release of dirt particles or fibers from the ducts. These practices have not yet been thoroughly researched and you must be fully informed before deciding to allow their use. Since conditions in every home are different, it's impossible to generalize about whether cleaning the air ducts in your home would be beneficial or not.
On the other hand, if family members have unusual or unexplained symptoms or illnesses that you think could be related to your home environment, you should discuss it with your doctor. The EPA has published several publications as guidance on identifying potential indoor air quality problems and ways to prevent or solve them. It's important to note that dirty air ducts are just one of many possible sources of particulate matter present in homes. In conclusion, while there is still debate over whether regular duct cleaning has any value at all, there is no evidence suggesting that such cleaning is harmful when done correctly. On the other hand, if a service provider doesn't follow proper procedures for cleaning air ducts, it can cause problems with indoor air quality.
