If you're like most people, you may not be aware of the risks associated with not cleaning your air ducts. But the truth is, not cleaning your air ducts can have serious consequences. From mold spores to allergens, there are a variety of contaminants that can be circulated through your home's ventilation system if you don't clean your air ducts regularly. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that people read up on the subject of air duct cleaning, as knowledge about it is still in its early stages.
Studies have not conclusively proven that cleaning air ducts can prevent health problems, and there is no evidence that a small amount of household dust or other particles in air ducts poses any health risk. Before cleaning, reconditioning, or replacing the ducts, the cause or causes must be corrected, or else the problem is likely to reappear. Some research suggests that cleaning the components of the heating and cooling system may improve system efficiency. As long as cleaning is done properly, there is no evidence to suggest that such cleaning is harmful.
The EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned routinely, but only when necessary. If you decide to have your air ducts cleaned, take the same consumer precautions you would normally take when evaluating the competence and reliability of the service provider. Pollutants that enter the home from both outdoor and indoor activities can cause greater exposure to pollutants than dirty air ducts. It's important to note that dirty air ducts are just one of many possible sources of particulate matter that are present in homes. Whether you decide to clean your home's air ducts or not, preventing water and dirt from entering the system is the most effective way to avoid contamination.
If you decide to clean your heating and cooling system, it's important to make sure that the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so. The EPA recommends that if you have a furnace, stove, or fireplace that burns fuel, they be inspected for proper functioning and maintained before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. Some service providers may also suggest applying chemical treatments (sealants or other encapsulants) to encapsulate or cover the inner surfaces of air ducts and equipment housings. These practices have not yet been thoroughly investigated and you should be fully informed before deciding to allow the use of biocides or chemical treatments in your air ducts. They should only be applied, if at all, after the system has been properly cleaned of all visible dust or debris. On the other hand, if family members have unusual or unexplained symptoms or illnesses that you think might be related to your home environment, you should discuss the situation with your doctor. The EPA has published several publications for guidance on how to identify potential indoor air quality problems and ways to prevent or fix them. In conclusion, it's important for homeowners to understand the risks of not cleaning their air ducts.
While knowledge about air duct cleaning is limited and there is no general recommendation as to whether you should clean your home's air ducts or not, it's important to note that dirty air ducts are just one of many possible sources of particulate matter that are present in homes. As long as cleaning is done properly, there is no evidence to suggest that such cleaning is harmful.
