Indoor Air Pollution
Understanding Air Quality
Considering most of us spend a large percentage of our time indoors, the quality of our indoor air has become an increasing concern. Unfortunately, the news is not good. Indoor pollution levels are shockingly higher than those of the outdoors. Our energy-efficient, air-tight homes are sealing out fresh air, and trapping "in" pollutants. Many of our workplaces are equipped with those oh-so-natural non-opening windows, and the dampers bringing in fresh air are commonly closed to reduce utility costs.
Airborne particles, which can carry germs and other irritants, are circulated throughout homes and workplaces via the ventilation system. Some of that dust will remain in the ductwork, trapping and holding moisture, and creating an ideal breeding ground for mold and other biological contaminants. So not only can debris in your ductwork reduce air flow as well as heating/cooling efficiency, but it could be causing irritation and even illness. Filters, air cleaners and HEPA-filtered vacuums are all helpful in fighting indoor air pollution. You may want to minimize the use of air fresheners as these only add chemicals to the indoor air. Opening doors and windows as the weather permits may also help. And maybe you have wondered about cleaning your air ducts.
When properly performed, an air duct cleaning can have many benefits. It will remove contaminated dust and debris within your ductwork and air handler. It can help improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. Some customers haveeven reported lower utility costs after duct cleaning, and many also remark on increased air flow. A thorough cleaning definitely has its benefits.
A duct cleaning WILL NOT eliminate dust in your home or workplace. That’s
like expecting to mow your grass, and never have it grow back. Dust is not
borne in the ducts. It is comprised mostly of clothing and carpet fibers,
dirt brought in from outside and other miscellaneous pollutants. Duct cleaning
will remove the existing dust, and a high-efficiency filter will help reduce
the dust coming into your home as it circulates through your HVAC system.
A duct cleaning WILL NOT cure allergies. No conclusive
studies have been performed to scientifically verify the health 
benefits
of air duct cleaning. It may help relieve allergy symptoms as it can reduce
the amount of debris in your system being stirred up and blown into your
indoor environment. A duct cleaning WILL NOT "solve" indoor air
quality problems or keep mold from returning. So many things contaminate
our indoor air – household cleaners, paints, waxes, varnishes, hair
spray, perfumes, pet hair and dander, chemical treatments on fabrics and
carpets, cigarette smoke, dust mite feces, the list is extraordinary. The
air ducts are just one potential source of many possible indoor air quality
problems, but you can think of them as the largest room in your house that
never gets cleaned. If the debris inside your ductwork was coating your kitchen
floor, you would want to clean it up, wouldn't you? Many people simply feel
a proper air duct cleaning is well worth it, and a part of normal household
maintenance.
Air duct cleaning is not a federally regulated industry,
and most state and local authorities place no requirements on licensing or
certifications. Many companies have sprung up using sub-standard equipment,
and untrained subcontractors. These companies may cut corners in cleaning
procedures to complete as many jobs as possible in one day, but often attract
the unknowing consumer because of low prices. Rather than helping improve
the quality of your indoor air, they may cause more problems than they solve.
Another common tactic may involve the "bait and switch" routine.
This is where the consumer schedules for a $99 whole house cleaning, which
becomes the $700 cleaning once the technician(s) arrives. These types of
companies typically find additional charges for things that would normally
be included in the service, or which they should have discussed in advance
over the phone. So make sure your potential service provider is willing to
take the time to explain the cleaning procedure, exactly what is involved
and included, and ask if there is anything that might cause the price to
fluctuate once the cleaning is being performed. It can happen that some type
of hidden construction is discovered during the process, which the technician
could not determine ahead of time, but that is not necessarily the norm.
