Yes, duct cleaning reduces the amount of dust circulating from your HVAC system into your living spaces. However, it does not stop dust from entering your home.
Yes—cleaning your air ducts can help reduce dust, but it's not a magic bullet. They often act as hidden highways for circulating dust and air throughout your home, especially when there's a buildup from pet dander, pollen, or renovation debris.
First, there will often be some leftover particles moving through the air for a short time after a professional duct cleaning. During the process, loosened dust that was stuck deep inside the system gets stirred up. Even with careful vacuuming and filtration, a small amount can escape into the air.
ECZEMA. Mold & mildew circulated throughout the air by dirty air ducts can worsen or lead to skin issues including eczema, rashes, and hives.
EPA does not recommend that the air ducts be cleaned routinely, but only as needed. EPA does, however, recommend that if you have a fuel burning furnace, stove or fireplace, they be inspected for proper functioning and serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.
Common Drawbacks of Duct Cleaning
The air now has to re-pressurize to regain its turbulent flow so it can continue to push its way down the duct. It requires about 24′ or two feet to do this. This is the 'Two-Foot Rule?. Ideally, you should allow at least 24′ between takeoffs and at the end of any duct run.
Dirty air ducts can circulate dust, mold spores, bacteria, and other allergens throughout your home, leading to respiratory issues, allergies, and fatigue. If you or your family members frequently experience unexplained health problems, your air ducts could be the culprit.
“The allergens and other substances in dust can increase symptoms in people with environmental allergies and asthma. Allergens in dust can also cause a flare-up of eczema,” she says. While you can't avoid dust entirely, you can minimize it.
Five of the most common include:
All you need is vinegar, olive oil, and a touch of soap to recreate my grandmother's dust-repellant spray recipe. The coating the spray leaves helps more dust propel off surfaces and onto the floor, which means you'll have to clean those hard to dust places a little less.
Neglecting duct cleaning isn't just about dust. Over time, dirty ducts can cause: Higher energy bills – clogged ducts restrict airflow, forcing your HVAC system to work harder. Shorter HVAC lifespan – dirt and debris wear down motors, coils, and fans.
Cold air causes skin to dry out faster than normal, which results in more dead skin cells being shed. If you have pets in the house, dander will also contribute to dust. People tend to stay indoors during the winter, so it stands to reason that dust would end up in the same spaces.
Air purifiers assist in eliminating household dust by helping clean the air at home. These machines are engineered with technology that traps dust before it settles on your furniture and floors. Opt for a HEPA air purifier that captures 99.97% of dust and particles as small as 0.3 microns.
Seven Signs It's Time for an Air Duct Cleaning
Air vent register filters effectively trap the unwanted particles in the air. They reduce the amount of them from air you breath in your home and reduce the amount of dusting a cleaning you have to do. Maintain clean air and a clean home proactively with these filter.
If you can see a substantial amount of dust clinging to the vents in your home, chances are your indoor air quality isn't where it should be for good health. When you allow indoor dust to build to the point that you can see it on your vents, that signifies serious dust and debris buildup inside your ductwork.
Allersearch Allergen Wash laundry detergent will work to remove a broader range of allergens. It is the only anti-allergen wash that will remove animal allergens as well as pollens, molds, and dust mite allergens. If your only concern is removing dust mites from your bedding, De-Mite will do the job.
Silicosis is a lung disease that can develop from breathing in silica dust, usually around mining and construction sites. Symptoms include a long-lasting cough, problems breathing, inflammation in your airways and scarring in your lung tissue. There's no cure.
Duct cleaning is only a waste of money when you do not actually need it. If your duct system has real contaminants, dirty ducts, pest signs, or visible mold, it can be worth it.
Develop Respiratory Infections, Disease
If your air ducts remain uncleaned, these issues could develop into something worse–a lower respiratory infection such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
Signs Your Home is Affecting Your Health
One of the most common mistakes in HVAC duct fabrication is incorrect measurements. Ducts that are too small or too large for the system or the home will lead to airflow restrictions, energy inefficiencies, and increased noise levels.
Simply put, it means you should never set your thermostat for a temperature more than 20 degrees cooler than the outside air. Why not? Most air conditioning systems can only handle a 20-degree difference between the outside and inside air temperatures.
One of the most surprising places they can hide? Your ductwork. That's right: your heating and ventilation system may be more than just a pathway for warm or cool air; it could also be a cozy travel route (and nesting spot) for mice.