What is Air Ducts Cleaning?
Most people are now aware that indoor air pollution is an issue of growing concern and increased visibility. 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, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing Many companies are marketing products and services intended to improve the quality of your indoor air. You 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. These services typically — but not always — range in cost from $450 to $1,000 per heating and cooling system, depending on:
the services offered
- the size of the system cleaned
- system accessibility
- climatic region
- level of contamination
3 Signs that Your Air Ducts Need Cleaning
- Dust and debris during start-up
One of the best ways to tell if your ducts need cleaning is to check how much dust and debris are blown out when starting your heating unit. Sometimes an accumulation of dust will make it seem like your ducts need to be cleaned, so be sure to perform this check only after a fresh filter has been installed. It’s important that your ducts be free of these substances as they can cause issues with energy efficiency and air quality throughout your home. - Mold growth
The appearance of mold is never a good sign. It could mean a number of issues with your ducts (including a moisture problem). It’s important to check for mold for a variety of reasons, most prominently, to protect your health. Mold can cause breathing and other health related problems. If you notice any mold in your ducts, call our duct cleaning service in Winnipeg immediately. - You notice rodents or insects
Wildlife in your ducts is a big problem. If you notice any signs that there might be an infestation in your ducts, it’s definitely time to have your air ducts cleaned by a professional. Look out for small scratches, insect husks and shells along with rodent droppings. All could be signs that you have a couple of unwanted house guests living in your vents.
What to Expect From an Air Duct Cleaning Service Provider
If you choose to have your ducts cleaned, the service provider should:
Open access ports or doors to allow the entire system to be cleaned and inspected. Inspect the system before cleaning to be sure that there are no asbestos-containing materials (e.g., insulation, register boots, etc.) in the heating and cooling system. Asbestos-containing materials require specialized procedures and should not be disturbed or removed except by specially trained and equipped contractors. Use vacuum equipment that exhausts particles outside of the home or use only high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) vacuuming equipment if the vacuum exhausts inside the home. Protect carpet and household furnishings during cleaning. Use well-controlled brushing of duct surfaces in conjunction with contact vacuum cleaning to dislodge dust and other particles.