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Don’t Trust Your Indoor Comfort to Just Anybody
The ads are on telephone poles, in the back of your newspaper, or on social media. CLEAN YOUR DUCTWORK, one ad reads. And what’s the problem? For a few bucks, your friendly neighborhood handyman will come over and remove dust and dirt from your HVAC system. Sounds good, right?
Don’t fall for it.
Hiring unlicensed HVAC contractors or service workers to clean your HVAC system may seem like a way to save money, but the truth is that it usually leads to serious problems and costly fixes. As the Environmental Protection Agency describes it, “Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts. This is because much of the dirt in air ducts adheres to duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living space.”
Duct Cleaning Disasters
Ductwork is a major part of any central heating and air conditioning system. Made of a thin inner vinyl lining with a “slinkee” style stainless steel spring embedded inside, ductwork is typically wrapped in pink fiberglass and then encased in a second layer of vinyl. Duct cleaning machines are either vigorous enough to tear the vinyl itself, or so soft they can’t strip out any embedded dirt. And here’s another problem: you probably won’t know the ducts are damaged until you notice your energy bills are higher than last year, or that the dust and debris you’re breathing in is because your ductwork is now unsealed.
The fact is that HVAC comes with air filters that trap dust and irritants that may pass through your system. If you’re worried about air quality, you can change your air filters quickly, cheaply and easily. If you’ve recently remodeled or repainted, you may want a licensed tech to examine your system. However, ordinary HVAC usage does not result in the kind of irritant accumulation that would merit cleaning. Protect your equipment, your energy bills and your air quality. Leave any maintenance or inspections up to the pros.
If you’re concerned about indoor air quality beyond what a HEPA grade filter can provide, Air-Tro can help with sensibly priced, effective air sanitation upgrades that will help you breathe more easily and provide an extra measure of safety and cleanliness to your indoor comfort. In 2024, there are far more effective ways to ensure air quality within your home than ductwork cleaning scams. Avoid problems, and go straight to the experts.
To protect your home and investment, always hire licensed and insured professionals for your HVAC needs. Have questions? Call us to evaluate the problem.