When it comes to improving the air quality in your home, hiring an air duct sealing company can be a great way to ensure that your air ducts are properly sealed and maintained. While there is still much debate over the value of regular duct cleaning, there is no evidence to suggest that such cleaning is harmful, provided it is done correctly. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourages homeowners to research the subject before making any decisions. Duct cleaning has never been proven to actually prevent health problems, as much of the dirt in the air ducts adheres to the surfaces of the ducts and does not necessarily enter the living space.
It's important to note that dirty air ducts are just one of many possible sources of particulate matter that are present in homes. Pollutants that enter the home from both outdoor and indoor activities, such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or just moving, can cause greater exposure to pollutants than dirty air ducts. Before cleaning, reconditioning, or replacing the ducts, the cause or causes must be corrected, or else the problem is likely to reappear. If you decide to have your air ducts cleaned, take the same consumer precautions you would normally take when evaluating the competence and reliability of the service provider.
As long as cleaning is done properly, there is no evidence to suggest that such cleaning is harmful. The EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned routinely, but only when necessary. If you decide to clean your home's air ducts or not, preventing water and dirt from entering the system is the most effective way to avoid contamination. If you decide to clean your heating and cooling system, it's important to make sure that the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so.
In addition, the service provider may propose the application of chemical biocides, designed to remove microbiological contaminants, inside ducts and in other components of the system. Some service providers may also suggest applying chemical treatments (sealants or other encapsulants) to encapsulate or cover the inner surfaces of air ducts and equipment housings because they believe they will control mold growth or prevent the release of dirt particles or fibers from the ducts. These practices have not yet been thoroughly investigated and you should be fully informed before deciding to allow the use of biocides or chemical treatments in your air ducts. They should only be applied, if at all, after the system has been properly cleaned of all visible dust or debris. Knowledge about the potential benefits and potential problems of air duct cleaning is limited.
Since the conditions in every home are different, it's impossible to generalize about whether cleaning your home's air ducts would be beneficial or not. On the other hand, if family members have unusual or unexplained symptoms or illnesses that you think might be related to your home environment, you should discuss the situation with your doctor. The EPA has published several publications for guidance on how to identify potential indoor air quality problems and ways to prevent or fix them. Whether you decide to clean your home's air ducts or not, hiring an air duct sealing company can be a great way to ensure that your air ducts are properly sealed and maintained. This can help reduce energy costs by preventing heated or cooled air from escaping through cracks in your ductwork. It can also help reduce allergens and pollutants from entering your home through these cracks. In addition, a professional air duct sealing company can inspect your system for any potential problems that could lead to poor indoor air quality.
They can also provide advice on how best to maintain your system for optimal performance and efficiency. Overall, while there is still much debate over the value of regular duct cleaning, hiring an air duct sealing company can be a great way to ensure that your air ducts are properly sealed and maintained for optimal performance and efficiency.
