Home Air Ducts: Do You Really Need to Clean Them?

There used to be a time when people didn’t think much about indoor air pollution. But, as more individuals are becoming both health-conscious and energy-efficient, it has become more of a concern. In fact, according to many reports, indoor air quality is one of the top five environmental concerns for the EPA and there are over 87 percent of Americans who are not aware of the fact that the air that they may be breathing inside of their homes could actually be more polluted than the air that is outside of it.

So when it comes to the question of if it’s a good idea to clean the air ducts within your house, being that they are used to provide ventilation in your home, the answer is a definite “yes”; mostly because cleaning your air ducts is a top way to remove indoor air pollution.

In the effort to encourage you to have your air ducts cleaned on a regular basis, we have provided you with some of the things that clean air ducts can protect you from and also a few things to keep in mind before hiring a professional to come over to do the job too.

The Benefits of Clean Home Air Ducts

Although we’ve already mentioned that clean air ducts can reduce indoor pollution, more specifically it’s a good idea to have them cleaned out because they can prevent you and your family from having certain respiratory issues. That’s because when air ducts are dirty that increases the chances of debris going into the air and when that gets into our system, it can lead to allergic reactions and certain sinus and lung infections. Also, a dirty air duct can have vermin inside of them, which makes your house vulnerable to rodents and insects. And finally, it can also keep your HVAC unit from working efficiently.

What You Need to Know About Hiring Someone to Clean Your Air Ducts

So as you can see, it’s only going to work to your benefit to have your home air ducts clean. Not just because of how it can help to protect your health but it can also reveal if your HVAC unit may have some air conditioning and high humidity issues due to clogged ducts or leaks. Just make sure that in choosing a professional to do the job that you keep certain things in mind. It’s important that you look for an air duct professional who comes with plenty of experience and several references. Make sure that they don’t use toxic chemicals during the cleaning process and that their procedures will protect you and your pets during the cleaning process.

How You Can Maintain Your Ducts in Between Cleanings

There are things that you can do in between your scheduled cleanings to keep your ducts in good condition. Change your filters every 90 days. Keep your coils and drain pans cleaned. And be sure to use a vacuum to remove dust and debris from the ducts. For more information on caring for your air ducts, visit EPA.gov and put “air ducts” in the search field.