The Ames Air Duct Cleaning specialists will prove to you that the money you spend to get the HVAC ductwork cleaned, will be a good investment. You will see and feel the results. Once you see the before and after pictures and breathe the clean air, you will be a believer. Let’s take a look at the reasons “why” you should clean your air ducts, the “methods” used to clean the ductwork and what to look for in a good air duct cleaning company.
4 Reasons Why You Should Clean Your Air Ducts
1. Rid your home of indoor air pollutants.
The CDC says that, “People spend approximately 90% of their time indoors so the risks to health associated with air pollution is greater from being indoors rather than the outdoors.
Today’s homes are built more “air tight” so to make heating and cooling the homes cheaper. The problem is the house can’t bring in enough fresh air to flush the stale, polluted air out of the homes. Homes today are required to run a “fresh air” vent line from the outside to the HVAC unit to try and draw in fresh air from the outside.
While this is a good thing, it might not be enough to get rid of indoor pollutants. There are two types of indoor pollutants: (1) chemical and (2) biological.
Chemical pollutants include things like carbon monoxide from heating and cooking appliances, VOCs from cleaning supplies, cosmetics, paints and varnishes, plastics, etc.
Biological pollutants include molds, bacteria, pet dander, dust mites, pollen and viruses. When these pollutants are present, there are respiratory issues to deal with and sometimes the asthmatic responses can be life threatening.
By cleaning the HVAC system, you cleanse out those pollutants inside the system.
2. Clean out mold and mildew
Mold spores are constantly floating in the air and when they combine with moist, warm air and dust, they colonize and form visible mold. This is dangerous to breathe and needs to be eliminated. To eliminate it, you need to get rid of the causes and then thoroughly clean and disinfect affected areas.
You will find mold typically forms around the A-Coil and the supply vents because that is where condensation can form when cold air meets warm air. Make sure to keep the A-Coil drip pan clean and free of clogs. Make sure to keep all vents open as the HVAC system was designed to heat and cool the entire house.
3. Remove newly remodeled or construction dust and debris
The sanding of sheetrock produces dust that floats through the air and gets sucked into the HVAC system through cold air returns. If a quality filter isn’t used, that sheetrock dust will go through the filter and coat the blower motor and the underside of the A-Coil. As air is continually forced through the system, so is the dust. It contaminates the air and dust settles on furniture, making dusting an everyday thing.
Contractors are also notorious for dropping wood blocks, sawdust, nails and screws and other small items in the floor vents. Accident or not, it happens and those floor vents need to be cleaned out. A good air duct cleaning will remove those items and restore the system to new.
4. Remove pet hair and dander
Homes with long-haired pets will be the victim of pet hair and dander as long-haired pets shed their hair. The more pets you have, the more shedding. That pet hair and dander floats into the air and is pulled into the cold air return system of the HVAC. It sticks to the walls of the ductwork and it coats the filter.
As air passes over these contaminated ducts and filter, it picks up the micro dander and circulates it through the house. If you have family members with allergies, this can be a trigger. You need to clean the air ducts and change the filter more regular than a house without pets.
The Two Most Common Methods of Air Duct Cleaning
While there are a few different methods in the air duct cleaning industry, the most common two will be explained here. These are the most widely accepted and both are based upon utilizing three ingredients, (1) an agitator, (2) a collection system and (3) a push method. Basically, that means you need something to break the dust and debris off the ductwork, something to collect the dust and debris (vacuum system) and (3) some way to push the dust and debris to the vacuum.
Outside of the “pushing” and “collection” parts of the process, the “agitation” aspect is the difference between the two. With the brush system, a rotating brush is forced through the vent lines and trunk lines and the rotation of the brush breaks the dust and debris off the ductwork.
The rods and whips system uses high compressed air to whip the dust and debris off the ductwork. This system is preferred by many because it can be used in all types of vent lines whereas the brush system has limits with some flexible vent lines.
Ames Air Duct cleaning uses the rods and whips system. We also use a portable vacuum system instead of a truck mount because we don’t want to drag a large hose through peoples’ homes. In the winter time this is a good thing.
Sanitizing Is Not Necessary
Some companies will try to upsell sanitizing with an air duct cleaning. Not necessary. The best air duct cleaners don’t need to sanitize if they cleaned the ductwork properly. We only use sanitizer for mold issues or if pets have urinated in floor vents. Don’t pay for unnecessary sanitizing.
The Best Air Duct Cleaners Do This
The best air duct cleaners will take before and after pictures to prove to you that your air ducts are clean. Not only that, they will allow you, in fact, they will encourage you to walk around and watch them.
They will invite you to ask questions. They will show you the parts of the system they are cleaning so you can see first-hand the work being done.
They will also guarantee their work! If you get a company that won’t provide the above, don’t hire them.
Ames Air Duct Cleaning always allows the above and we have a guarantee. We don’t want paid if you aren’t happy. We know what we are doing and we will prove it to you.
Call us today to get a free quote: 515-514-7810