Have you ever noticed that your indoor air quality (IAQ) is poor? Perhaps you walk indoors and struggle to breathe easily and the condition abates when you go outside? Maybe your home is dusty and it seems to need cleaning more often than the homes of friends and family? The source of these problems can be a dirty ductwork system which contains a host of contaminants, including: dust, dirt, mold growth, vermin droppings and more. These contaminants enter the air as it passes through the duct work and they are distributed throughout the home. This can happen multiple times in a single day and it may affect your health. In this article we will take a closer look at what happens when you hire a local HVAC specialist to clean your air ducts and vents.
What is the Scale of the Problem?
Many homes have poorer air quality than the polluted air outdoors. There are a number of possible causes, including: a dirty air filter, mold spores, pollen, bacteria, dust, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and more. The problem with poor IAQ is that you may not notice a problem beyond the air tasting stale. This is especially true if the problem has persisted for a long time and we tend to get used to most situations over time. The people that will immediately notice poor IAQ are asthma sufferers, people with allergies and anyone with a pre-existing breathing condition. When the air ducts and vents are professionally cleaned many homeowners are amazed at the freshness of their indoor air.
Why Hire a HVAC Professional?
It’s tempting to “save money” by hiring a handyman or performing some DIY cleaning. There are times when developing DIY skills is a great way to learn more about your home and save money. But, beyond vacuuming the openings of the vents it’s impossible to clean deeper into the air ducts without special equipment. A professional is less likely to damage the duct work as they clean and they can identify air leaks or other problems. When you hire a local HVAC specialist it’s important to choose a company with a solid reputation. There are less reputable companies that “clean” in an hour and yet there is more dust after they’ve left. All legitimate air duct cleaning contractors should follow the National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA) standards for cleaning services.
How is Air Duct and Vent Cleaning Done?
A simple vacuum cleaner will not be up to the task and the correct method will use negative pressure air duct cleaning. This is a methodical process that will take longer than an hour, but it’s very thorough and the results are worth the wait. The cleaning procedures for tilers, plenums, registers, air handlers and evaporator coils are tried and tested. The cleaning methods employed by NADCA accredited contractors are known as source removal techniques. The air ducts are cleaned with compressed air tools and by hand where possible. The contaminated dirt and debris is extracted with a powerful vacuum unit. Your local HVAC specialist will follow four clearly defined steps to clean dirty air ducts and vents. They are:
1. Air Duct Inspection
This is a visual inspection of the air ducts that lead to the return and supply registers. This step can be taken by yourself to confirm that buildup of dirt, dust and other contaminants in the air ducts. The technician can go further with a camera system that will show the true extent of the dirty buildup before cleaning commences. At this time the technician will search for air leaks, cracks and breaks that degrade the efficiency and cleanliness of the HVAC system. Basic repairs can be made at this stage, but these will be temporary and in many cases it’s cheaper to replace duct work that’s in bad shape.
2. The Creation of Negative Pressure
The cleaning contractor will have a portable vacuum collection device to suck out the contaminants. Some HVAC duct cleaners even have a truck mounted vacuum to scrub the ducts clean. The vacuum collection device is hooked up to the duct that’s located closest to the air handler. An access hole is cut, the hose is inserted and a seal is created around the hole. The technician will seal the registers with a cover to make the vacuum more effective. The vacuum is turned on, negative pressure is created and the particulates will be sucked free. The duct cleaning process is carried out on the supply and return sides separately.
3. Debris Agitation
The duct work is now under negative pressure, each register is uncovered, the ducts there are cleaned and then the cover is replaced to maintain the pressure. This process takes time, a quick burst of air will not suffice and this is another way to identify a professional. Rotating brushes, handheld vacuum cleaners and compressed air tools are used to dislodge the dirt and debris.
4. Duct Work System Cleaning
The other HVAC components should be cleaned to improve the IAQ, improve energy efficiency and to extend the lifespan of the system. These components include: the air handler blower motor, condensate drain pan and the evaporator coil. The air filter should be cleaned or replaced with a fresh unit as required.
In Conclusion
Negative air pressure duct cleaning is a job for a HVAC professional and it may take some time. But, there may be many years of accumulated debris in the duct work and it can be hard to remove without thorough cleaning techniques. According to NADCA, this cleaning process should take around 3-5 hours. This may vary depending on the size of your home, temporary repairs and other factors. This type of duct work cleaning will cost more than a poor quality cleaning job performed by a handyman or bad contractor. But, the ductwork will be very clean, it will stay cleaner for longer and the air will be fresher.
If you need to schedule duct work cleaning, contact your local heating and cooling specialist today.