Air ducts circulate air into every corner of our homes. A dirty duct will also transfer dust and humid air into the environment. This will lead to an unhealthy environment that causes allergic reactions and air-borne diseases for your household.
To avoid this, considering duct cleaning is essential. There are many companies whose primary job is to render such services. But before hiring any, it is necessary to know when you should worry about getting your duct cleaned, the benefits, and how you can choose a reputable duct cleaning company.
How to Know When Your Air Ducts Need Cleaning
Dust in the home consists 50% of our dead skin cells, so they will always be in circulation in our homes. Dirt or specks of dust in the air ducts is nothing to be worried about, but certain cases should be of concern to you. These cases mean your ducts need serious cleaning and it is time for you to reach out to air ducts professional cleaners like DUCTZ of Charleston.
1. Too Much Dirt, Debris, and Dust
When that little speck of dust accumulates into large chunks of debris and dirt, then there is a problem. You might see dust particles being released during air circulation or you may notice that the HVAC units do not function properly as usual. In any of these cases, you may need to have your ducts cleaned, so it would be smart to start looking for experts who provide duct cleaning in Asheville, NC or whichever town you reside.
2. Mold Growth
When the HVAC units become wet, mold might grow on their surface. It is hard to see mold growth, so inquire from your service provider if there is any way to check for mold growth. Also an expert such as a microbiologist can help to determine whether a substance is mold or not.
Send them a sample for confirmation to be sure your ducts have mold growth. Be quick to get rid of the situation before it gets out of hand. You can click on https://www.facilitiesnet.com/hvac/article/HVAC-Systems-and-Mold–2998 to read more about mold in HVAC systems.
3. Vermin and Pests Infestation
Rodents, insects, and bugs can easily get into the ductwork. When this happens, they can damage some components, chew wires, or die inside the HVAC system. Getting a professional duct cleaning service right away will solve the problem.
The Importance of Cleaning Your Air Ducts
The importance of cleaning your air ducts are as follows:
1. It Promotes a Clean Environment
When your ducts are clean, they will circulate clean air which results in a clean environment. But when dirt and dust accumulate in the HVAC system, they circulate tiny dust particles in the air. The particles can find rest on your chair, bed, and dining room. It is also dangerous when you inhale or ingest them.
Since they are tiny and can’t be seen without the aid of a microscope, you will find it hard to discover and remove them. You may decide to clean your house regularly, but if the air duct remains clogged with dirt, you might be wasting your time.
To get rid of dust particles, clean your air ducts. This will contribute to clean surroundings, and there will be a reduction in the number of times you and your family members fall ill.
2. It Removes Bad Odors
Cleaning the air ducts will remove any bad smell in your home. The duct may have been filled with mildew and mold that circulate smelly particles in the air. This air smells so bad and hardly reduces even after spraying air fresheners or leaving the windows opened.
When this smell persists in a home, many people’s first reaction is to start using air freshener permanently. But to solve this, check your ducts for mold growth. When left unattended, mold can smell badly. Cleaning the duct, however, will remove the bad smell in your home.
3. It Promotes Clean Air For Breathing
Accumulated dirt and dust can make it difficult for people to breathe. Those that have asthma or prone to allergic reactions are affected by dirty air. It can lead to an asthma crisis or trigger an allergic reaction in some people.
No one might have asthma in your household, but what if your guests do? We want our friends and family members to be comfortable when they come around, so we should try to clean the ducts. We deserve clean air ourselves. Continually inhaling dirty air can cause infection and air-borne diseases.
4. It Improves Air Flow
When dust, dirt, and mold accumulate in the HVAC system, they block the rate at which air flows through ducts. The blockage causes a limitation in the way air circulates in your home.
Since the reason for your HVAC system is to promote ventilation in the home, this dust and mold growth prevents it from happening. As a result, you want to clean the duct. If there is a slight decrease in the airflow in your home, clean the air duct.
5. It Improves HVAC Efficiency
When you clean the duct properly, air will circulate freely. Therefore, there will be an improvement in the efficiency of the HVAC units.
How to Choose a Reputable Duct Cleaning Company
We have discussed how you can tell when your ducts need cleaning, as well as the importance of doing it. If you want to hire the services of an HVAC cleaning company, how can you know if they are reliable and offer professional services?
1. Ask for Referrals
Referrals are always important when hiring a service. You can choose to ask family, friends, and neighbors that have previously hired the services of duct cleaners. Or you may decide to carry out an in-depth online research to find a company. If you decide to opt for the latter, ensure to do this well.
Do not make research halfway or call just any company you find online. If they have a website, see if there are customer reviews about their services. Since these reviews might not always be true, confirm further using third-party review sites like Trust pilot and Angie’s. Testimonials and customer remarks on these sites are validated to be true, so if you see a highly rated company, you can hire their services with confidence.
2. Confirm Their License
A license is a vital document showing the experience and professionalism of a duct cleaning company. So make sure that the company you choose can offer a license at your request. That is how you can verify their credibility.
3. Consider Insurance
It is important to employ a duct cleaning company that has insurance. Cleaning HVAC systems can be risky sometimes. Therefore, in case of any injury during maintenance and cleaning, the company’s insurance will cover it otherwise; you will end up covering costs you didn’t originally plan for. So try to check if the company is insured.
4. Check Their Certifications
Ensure that the company is NADCA certified. Such certification means that they have air systems cleaning specialists in the team and that they follow the strict guidelines and standards of the NADCA. It also means that they have taken technical courses and have valuable experience in the duct cleaning business.
5. Ensure to Get an Estimate from More Than One Company
Do not just inquire from one company; try to research more than two cleaning companies. Then you can compare their price estimate against each other. If you have a small budget, you will surely hire the services of one that matches your budget. But remember, premium quality services are priceless. So be sure of the reputation and services before hiring any.
6. Know If They Offer Free Inspection
You cannot hire a duct cleaning service without knowing if the system actually needs cleaning. So the company needs to do an inspection first. That way, the company can determine what type of cleaning your duct needs and which materials will be used. Many reputable companies offer free inspections to their customers.
7. Do Not Fall for Special Deals
Special deals such as “$99 cleaning special” are not always true. Depending on the method of cleaning to be used, the size of your HVAC unit, and what the problem is, a company will draft out an estimate for you. So these special deals are hoaxes you should avoid falling for.
8. Ask the Company Some Questions
Asking questions is an important way of gaining information. So ask the company questions such as how they will clean the ducts and what equipment they will use. Will they use flex ducts or chemical biocides?
Some of these chemicals are not approved by NADCA or EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). You wouldn’t want a situation where the duct gets damaged after cleaning. Therefore, ask important questions and hire a reputable company. Want to know more about why duct cleaning is important? You may consider reading this article from the EPA.
Conclusion
Never underestimate the importance of cleaning your air duct system. If you detect poor air circulation, it could be that the ducts are filled with dirt or mold. Try to get to the root as soon as possible. Remember, a well-cleaned duct will promote a cleaner environment, fresher air for breathing, and more importantly, healthier living.
