Why Should I Have My Home Air Ducts Cleaned?

If you are thinking about the question, “Why should I have my home air ducts cleaned?” you are in good company. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA) the majority of people in the United States think about getting their air ducts cleaned…but never do it. Our homes are all different and the conditions within them are different; however, the air ducts accumulate pollutants over time.  Air Duct Cleaning Is Just About Typical Air That Flows In And Out, Right?  Wrong. This is not merely a question of the air that flows from outside your windows to inside the home or vice versa; this is also about the circulation of pollutants that are pulled in via the HVAC systems we have. During the winter months, we often have indoor re-circulated air flows because our windows are typically closed. Indoor air pollution can irritate the air ways of our respiratory systems or exacerbate allergies or nasal conditions. Additionally, depending on environmental conditions, air ducts may contain mold spores that are invisible to the eye, but can grow behind walls and in obstructed areas that we can’t see. Given the Cleveland, Ohio wet weather, it would be wise for all homeowners to have air duct cleaning in Cleveland as a guard against accumulated dust, dirt, bacteria, pollen, lint and allergens.  Is Indoor Air Pollution Really A Legitimate Problem?  Perhaps in the early 1800s in America, indoor air pollution wasn’t a problem. Or, perhaps because of the constant burning of wood in wood stoves or outside wood fires, it was. Perhaps heavy tobacco smoke contributed to the poor air quality or the fact that most people who had glass windows didn’t ever open them because of the common fear that sickness that could come in through a window open to the outdoors. We don’t know for sure if indoor air pollution was a recognizable issue in the generations past. However, we do have credible information now and that is why air duct cleaning has become a solution for what is a probable trigger of some common ailments.  As we age, we become more susceptible to air quality issues and, over time, some of these pollutants can affect our quality of life. Consider the following common triggers that have been tied to indoor air quality as pollutants move through home air ducts: tobacco smoke, gas furnaces, kerosene space heaters, fireplace smoke, animal dander, mold, dust mites, spray from insecticides, cleaning agents, and solvents. There are other, more serious, triggers, such as airborne lead, but these are less common than most of the others. All of these should be considered as possible triggers for air quality and related health issues.  I Use My Air Purifier So I Don’t Need To Clean My Home Air Ducts, Do I?  We’re glad you asked! While home air purifiers or cleaners hold various claims of air purification attached to them, the truth is they are not considered to be a viable solution for a “whole house” air flow system. The EPA offers the following regarding popular air cleaners and air purifiers:  “Ion generators and ozone generators are types of air cleaners; others include mechanical filter air cleaners, electronic air cleaners (e.g., electrostatic precipitators), and hybrid air cleaners utilizing two or more techniques. Generally speaking, existing air cleaners are not appropriate single solutions to indoor air quality problems, but can be useful as an adjunct to effective source control and adequate ventilation. Air cleaning units alone cannot adequately remove all pollutants typically found in indoor air. The value of any air cleaner depends upon a number of factors, including its basic efficiency, proper selection for the type of pollutant to be removed, proper installation in relation to the space, and faithful maintenance. Drawbacks, varying with type, may include inadequate pollutant removal, re-disbursement of pollutants, deceptive masking rather than removal, generation of ozone, and unacceptable noise levels.” The information provided by the EPA suggests that air purifiers or cleaners carry potential risks of re-introducing pollutants into a room or masking pollutants rather than removing them. With this information, we can consider whether it is better to try to clean the air with cleaners or purifiers that have limited usage in one room of our home, or clean the air ducts of our entire home to cover the home in one annual cleaning.  Should you have your home air ducts cleaned? I suggest that, after reviewing this information and considering the wet Cleveland weather, you consider employing a reliable air duct cleaning company to annually visit your home to clean the air ducts. The cost for this service is reasonable and the best companies in Cleveland will often provide a discount for annual cleanings. In the process, you may want to ask for a mold check-up and any alerts they may see regarding home problems that could be addressed before they become larger issues. Here’s to your good health!