When I opened Legacy Custom Builders, Inc. in 1988, I had never heard of a "duct-cleaning" company. In this year's Metro phone book there are 53 companies specifically listed under the category of "Air Conditioning Systems - Cleaning." I want to tell you there is a big difference between the proper cleaning of your air conditioning system and a $250 duct cleaning service. Let me show you the difference. A $250 Wham-Bam Duct Cleaning:  A duct cleaning company pulls up to your home at 10 a.m. They remove the air conditioning supply registers in your home (usually 8-12) and use a brush-headed vacuum system to clean as much of the ducts as they can see and reach. Approximately two hours later, they have packed up, cleaned up, collected their $250 and are headed to the next of four or five similar jobs that day. Nothing has been done to improve the indoor air quality of your home; you have just wasted $250. You could have purchased a shop vacuum and done the job yourself; your ducts wouldn’t be any cleaner or dirtier, but at least you’d have a good shop vac. 

A Proper Cleaning Of Your Air Conditioning System:  Duct cleaning is only one component of a proper system cleaning. The air traveling through your supply ducts will re-circulate to your air handling equipment via the return air. It is extremely important that the return air ducts and/or plenum are thoroughly cleaned and checked for air leaks. I have never inspected an air conditioning system that didn’t have some leaking. After sealing and cleaning the return air components, the evaporative coils in your air handler must be thoroughly cleaned. Some dis-assembly of your air conditioning unit is usually required for this step and should only be completed by an air conditioning specialist. Make sure they use a non-toxic cleaner. Remember, whatever they use will be released into the air after they restart the system.  Your supply ducts should be checked for leaks or disconnected joints. The company doing the work should be using an eight-inch diameter vacuum hose and some sort of duct scrubbing device.

A semi-rigid air hose that uses approximately 200 psi pressure and a multi-directional pressure tip is a good scrubber. what is mass air flow cleanerThe high-pressure air dislodges the dirt from the inside walls of your ductwork and is vacuumed to a large vacuum unit that is usually mounted on a truck. air cleaner amazon ukHandheld units are not adequate and should only be used in areas of limited access.  turbo 2 pre air cleanerThis thorough cleaning and sealing of your return air, evaporative coils, air handler cabinet and supply registers should take two technicians at least half a day on an average-size home with one air conditioning system. Hence, the cost is generally twice what you see advertised by the discount duct cleaning “specialists”. 

So you see, beyond vacuuming the ductwork itself, cracked and unsealed seams and compromised return air systems must also be addressed. However, keep in mind that using the wrong air filter or not changing the filter monthly will promptly undo the cleaning (generally, a one-inch paper pleated filter is safe for all systems). In a properly maintained system, duct cleaning probably isn’t necessary more than every five years.Complete ventilation system air duct cleaning can be a complex and difficult process if you don’t have the right equipment and training. Various methods involve suction, pressure and inserting brushes into the ducts, and the average homeowner doesn’t really have the tools to complete any of the preferred whole-system processes. You can make some difference in the amount of dirt in your air ducts and the overall health of your ducting system between air duct cleanings, however — without costly special equipment. Here’s how to clean the easily reachable components of your air duct system:

1. Prepare some soapy water. Use a bucket, then fill with warm water and an antimicrobial dish detergent or other cleaning product. You may want to use a spray bottle of vinegar or a mold removal spray as well. 2. With the system off, take off one of the registers. Thoroughly clean the register itself, then reach as far as possible inside the ducting to clean all dirt and debris. You may be able to get out some of it with a vacuum before washing what you can reach. 3. Repeat with all ducts in your home. Every bit of debris you can remove is one less bit that can find its way into your home. Of course, you may want to wear a mask because you’ll be stirring up a lot of debris during the process. 4. Inspect ducting for damage. If you find a lot of dirt inside your ducts, there may be holes, cracks or broken seams. Inspect all ductwork you can see by looking inside it with a flashlight. Look at ducts in the attic and the basement to see if exposed ducting has been damaged.

Repair any duct damage you find. 5. Replace the filter. After cleaning all ducts and stirring up so much dust, be sure you change your system filter. It’s a good idea to change the filter every month or as recommended by your regular technician. If this method of cleaning air ducts yourself seems incomplete, that’s because you won’t be able to reach much of your ductwork from the registers, leaving large parts of your system uncleaned. Some action is better than none, however. 
If you want complete air duct cleaning involving special equipment and expert analysis of flaws, holes and damage to your ducts where dirt and pollutants may be getting in, you need professional service. When you rely on experienced technicians with the right equipment, your entire system can be good as new — and any problems that have developed with the ducts can be noticed and corrected.As the heat and humidity begin to overwhelm us, we wonder how we'd survive without air conditioning. It's convenient to turn on the AC as soon as the temperature makes you uncomfortable but doing so could be harmful to more than just your wallet.

Old and poorly-maintained AC units have been shown as factors in many health conditions, including respiratory conditions and the spread of some diseases. Fortunately, it's quite easy to minimize any such risks. Since air conditioning is everywhere now -- in our homes, cars and offices -- it's important to maintain clean units to protect indoor air quality and personal well-being. One popular service you may see advertised is air duct cleaning. While the EPA cannot provide evidence to support the claim that cleaning your home's air ducts every year will reduce health problems, it does recommend having them cleaned if there is visible mold growth or a buildup of dust. Industry professionals also warn against the health problems associated with visible dust and mold. "There are several reasons to have a professional HVAC technician evaluate or clean your air conditioning system each year before you put it into operation," says Steve Beeler, president of RSC Heating and Air Conditioning.

"Most importantly is the health and safety of the occupant." "The indoor section of an air conditioning unit creates condensation all summer long when the air conditioning unit runs, and is a prime catalyst for mold and mildew growth," says Beeler. "As the system lays dormant over winter, the mold can spread and grow and, if not cleaned properly, can create respiratory problems and what some people refer to as a 'dirty sock odor.' The blower wheel and motor also can become dust covered, which is a food source for mold to thrive." Had part of your home renovated recently? That's another good reason to have your air ducts cleaned. Home renovations, especially if the changes were made to remove asbestos or lead-based paint, can cause unwanted debris to get caught inside ductwork. Having this debris cleaned out before you begin using your AC unit for the summer ensures that you don't end up circulating dust and particles from the renovation throughout your home. In addition to having a professional clean you air ducts, there are other steps you can take to make your air conditioner safer.

Read on to learn more about poor air quality and how you can improve it. How Can Your AC Unit Cause Poor Air Quality in Your Home? Most residential AC units recirculate indoor air to save energy. This can negatively impact indoor air quality without a minimum of 15 cubic feet of outside makeup air per minute per person. When basic maintenance such as changing the filters is not performed, airflow is restricted. When filters are dirty they don't stop allergens, pesticides and other outside irritants from entering your home. Window units that are not properly sealed let in outside air, undermining the work of the unit. Your AC unit may have to run more and work harder to keep your house at the desired temperature. How Can You Protect Yourself Against AC Air Pollution? There are many small steps you can take to protect yourself and your family against air contamination caused by a dirty air conditioning unit. Often, it's simply a matter of thinking about it and remembering to act before the summer gets underway.