What is Air Duct Cleaning?
Most people are now aware that indoor air pollution is an issue of growing concern. Air Medic provides professional services intended to improve indoor air quality. You have probably seen an advertisement, received a coupon in the mail, or been approached directly by a company offering to clean your air ducts as a means of improving your home’s indoor air quality. Professional air duct cleaners such as Air Medic typically — but not always — range in cost from $350 to $1,000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned, system accessibility, system type, level of contamination and type of cleaning process used (e.g., negative air, rotobrush, etc…).
Air duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan cabinet, and the air handling unit housing.
If not properly installed, maintained, and operated, these components may become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen or other debris. If moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth (e.g., mold) is increased and spores from such growth may be released into the home’s living space. These contaminants may cause allergic reactions or other symptoms in people if they are exposed to them. If you decide to have your heating and cooling system cleaned, Air Medic recommends all components of the system are cleaned and is qualified to do so. Failure to clean a component of a contaminated system can result in re-contamination of the entire system, thus negating potential benefits. Methods of duct cleaning vary, although standards have been established by industry associations concerned with air duct cleaning. Air Medic uses specialized tools and equipment to dislodge dirt and other debris in ducts for both residential and commercial applications using high powered vacuums which generate between 2,000 to 5,000 CFM. These powerful pieces of vacuum equipment use HEPA filtration while controlling and collecting the dislodged dirt and debris. Air Medic also cleans to NADCA specs.
In addition, the Air Medic may propose applying chemical treatments (sealants or other encapsulants) to encapsulate or cover the inside surfaces of the air ducts and equipment housings to control potential mold growth or prevent the release of dirt particles or fibers from ducts. They should only be applied, if at all, after the system has been properly cleaned of all visible dust or debris.
Note: Use of sealants to encapsulate the inside surfaces of ducts is a different practice than sealing duct air leaks. Sealing duct air leaks can help save energy on heating and cooling bills. For more information, see EPA’s www.energystar.gov/ducts