Duct Cleaning

If you have ever seen the particles of dust floating in a
sunbeam, you have some idea of how much particulate is
in the air around you. In fact, the average cubic inch of air
contains 100,000 particles. In smoggy cities, this can
reach 5,000,000 particles per cubic inch.

As air passes through the air conditioning and heating
units and ductwork of the home, it is only a matter of
time before those particles begin collecting on the unit
and duct interiors. These accumulated particles will
include anything and everything that floats in the house
or comes in from the outside. Animal and human skin
flakes, ground up stone and dirt particles, hair, mold
spores, bacteria, vehicle exhaust fumes - all of these and
more begin to collect on the duct interiors, fan, cooling
and heating elements, filters, and registers.

If the residents of the home are allergic to any of these
items, they feel the effects of being exposed to allergens
whenever the heating or cooling turns on in the home.

In some instances odors develop in the air handler or
ducts due to the particulate buildup. In other cases, dirt
may begin blowing out of the registers.

Another concern is the buildup of mold or bacteria inside
an air conditioning unit. Such microbial growth is rare in
home systems, but can occur where moisture is present.
Homes in humid climates or near bodies of water are
particularly susceptible. Cleaning removes such growth
and approved disinfectants can be used by a reputable
duct cleaning company to retard or eliminate microbial
contamination.

NOTE: "Streaking" around the registers is not necessarily
a sign of dirty ductwork. This is the normal effect of air
blowing or swirling across a surface continuously.
Residential heating and cooling systems collect dirt.
Streaking may give you an idea of what particulate is
settling in your ductwork, however. Black "sooty" streaks
usually come from vehicle exhaust, whereas whitish or
light gray powdery, dust-like streaking is commonly from
dander (skin flakes).

Having a home heating system cleaned every 3-5 years
will prevent the continuous buildup of dirt and other
particulate in the unit and ductwork.

If air ducts are not
installed, maintained
and operated correctly,
they can become
contaminated with dust
particles, pollen
particles or particles of
other debris. Moisture,
when present,
threatens to provide an
environment for
microbiological growth,
such as mold. Spores
from such growth may
be released into the air
in the home's living
space. Exposure to
contaminants like
these may cause
allergic reactions in
people. That’s why
many people choose to
have their air ducts
cleaned.