Air Duct Cleaning FAQ
What is air duct cleaning?
Air duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of the various components of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. A proper cleaning by a professional, reliable air duct cleaning service will include thorough cleaning of the system’s supply and return air ducts and registers, along with the grills, coils, heat exchanger, fan motor and housing, filter, plenum, air cleaner and drip pan.
How do air ducts get dirty?
All kinds of materials, from dust, pollen and bacteria to carpet fibers, insects and pet dander, can enter your home’s air ducts. In addition, the high humidity in Georgia homes can lead to mold and mildew inside ducts.
I have a brand new home. Why would I need my air ducts cleaned?
It’s unfortunate, but construction debris often is a major contaminate of HVAC systems. Materials commonly found in the ducts of new homes include:
- nails
- screws
- drywall dust
- plaster
- sawdust
- wood
- drywall
- soda cans
- lunch bags
Is there a way I can tell if my ducts definitely need cleaning?
You should have your air ducts cleaned whenever any of the following conditions exist:
- You can see considerable amounts of dust and debris in your ducts when you remove one of your registers and look inside.
- You can see mold in any of the components of your HVAC system.
- You can see dust or debris blowing out of your registers.
- You have had rodents or an insect infestation inside your ducts.
How often should I have my air ducts cleaned?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends cleaning air ducts on an as needed basis, whenever any of the conditions mentioned in the previous answer are present. The agency also says, “You may consider having your air ducts cleaned simply because it seems logical that air ducts will get dirty over time and should be occasionally cleaned.” Some factors that might make an initial cleaning or more frequent cleaning a logical choice:
- Water contamination or damage to the home or HVAC system.
- The completion of home renovation work.
- Moving into a new home or previously occupied home.
- Persons living in the house who have allergies or asthma.
- Persons living in the house who smoke.
- Pets living in the house that shed high volumes of hair and dander.
Is it true that indoor air is dirtier than outdoor air?
The EPA states that “a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities.”
Will having my air ducts cleaned make the air in my home cleaner?
Eliminating the dust, debris and other contaminants from your HVAC system helps to prevent these things from being circulated throughout your home. If your air ducts are dirty, cleaning them certainly is a worthwhile task in the overall mission to achieve better indoor air quality. Other important things you should do to improve your home’s air quality include frequent vacuuming and dusting, and at least once a year, have your carpets and upholstery cleaned.
Can dirty air ducts cause health problems?
They certainly won’t help! Here is what some health experts have said:
- Total Health and Better Health magazines have said that one out of six people who suffer from allergies do so because of bacteria and fungi in air duct systems.
- The American College of Allergists has said that at least half of all illnesses are caused by or aggravated by indoor air pollution.
- The American Lung Association estimates that the typical air duct has more germs inside of it than the average chicken coop.
Can having my air ducts cleaned benefit the health of me or my family?
While the EPA says that duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems, removing the contaminants commonly found in homes’ HVAC systems (including mold, fungi and bacteria) can be one way to help protect your family’s health.
Will having my HVAC system cleaned save me money on my heating and cooling bills?
EPA research has demonstrated that cleaning components of the HVAC system might improve its efficiency, lower energy costs and improve its overall life expectancy.
How should an HVAC system be cleaned?
To effectively and properly clean an HVAC system, a professional service provider uses a special vacuum to suck air through the system (instead of it blowing air out) while inserting special tools into the ducts to dislodge dirt and other debris. All the particulates dislodged by the technician’s tools are sucked up by the vacuum and safely removed from the home.
Do you use any chemicals in the cleaning process?
We use an organic, antibacterial solution to rid your system of mold, bacteria and viruses. This solution is safe for pets, people and the environment.
How will I know if my air ducts are really clean after you’ve completed the job?
Our friendly, trained technicians will provide you with ample access to inspect the system after the cleaning has been done. If you have any questions, they will be happy to help. Our goal is to ensure your complete satisfaction with every job we do.
Why should I choose Atlanta Air Duct Cleaning?
Atlanta Air Duct Cleaning has been helping Atlanta residents breathe clean, fresh air for the last 25 years. We’ve built our reputation as the Atlanta air duct cleaners people trust for fast, friendly and affordable duct cleaning. Our bonded, licensed and fully insured indoor air quality technicians have the equipment, experience and expertise necessary to ensure safe air quality throughout your home, and we take that responsibility very seriously.
