Should I Hire An Air Duct Cleaning Service? | Dallas, TX
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Air duct cleaning services are relatively new compared to many other routine HVAC services, so a lot of homeowners wonder if they really need to book an air duct cleaning service. While it is true that not every home will benefit as much as others, there are some really compelling reasons to give a second look into air duct cleaning service in Dallas, TX. Basic common sense makes it easy to see that it is easy for dirt to get stuck to the sides of your air ducts and then blow out into your living space at any time.
There are a lot of different things that can grow inside of your air ducts as well that can pose a problem long past the dirt. Rodents can live in your air ducts, any moisture can cause the growth of mold, and/or damp insulation inside your ductwork can be mildewed or moldy. This is just a shortlist of what can be hiding inside of your ductwork, there are many more possibilities. This is why you shouldn’t discount the value of air duct cleaning service until you see what is inside your Dallas, TX ductwork.
While most homeowners are not jumping to take a look, a routine air duct cleaning service can enlighten you when performed by a professional technician. They can record and report what they see back to you which can give you a pretty good idea if you should book an annual cleaning service or if just occasional cleaning would work for your home. Not every home is constructed the same or in the same area, so some homes (especially older homes) may have dirtier ductwork than others. Still, trying to decide if an air duct cleaning service is for you? This may help.
Who Should Have Their Air Ducts Cleaned?
Homes with Mold
In certain cases, you need to have an air duct cleaning service performed making the choice a bit easier. For instance, if you can see mold growth inside of your ductwork then you need to book an air duct cleaning service in Dallas, TX right away. You never want to breathe air that has been contaminated by mold. In fact, it can cause a lot of health issues to every member of your home Keep in mind that you can’t just clean the area that you can see and consider it okay.
If you can see mold in any area of your ductwork that is a pretty clear signal that it is in other areas of your ductwork that you cannot see as well. You can always ask the air duct cleaning service to show you proof of any mold they find if you want further confirmation that there is indeed mold growing inside of your ducts. They should have no problem providing this proof. While cleaning out your ductwork, the technician will also likely look at the insulation in the ductworks. If moisture has built up at any time in your ductwork there is a good chance that it is moldy as well. Insulation cannot be cleaned in this case and most likely will need to be replaced.
Keep in mind that if mold grows in your ductwork cleaning it alone is not enough. After the air duct cleaning service is complete you need to talk to an HVAC expert about how it appeared in the first place. If you don’t correct the problem that is allowing mold to grow it will return. Most of the time it is linked to moisture which can indicate an issue with your HVAC system or your plumbing system.
Homes With Vermin
The last thing you want to think about is mice in your ductwork, but believe it or not, this is very common. Rodents and insects like to use home ductwork as a convenient way to get from floor to floor undetected. It is not uncommon for homeowners to report seeing mice run out of a floor vent or disappear into a vent before they book an air duct cleaning service.
Outside of setting some traps to catch vermin or insects, you also need to have your ducts cleaned to eradicate any disease or excrement they leave behind. Remember that if you have vermin in your ductwork they are likely leaving plenty of waste behind which is just gathering and creating a health hazard.
Homes with Excessive Dirt
Every home has dirt. Regardless of how new or how clean you keep your home there will be some layer of dirt in your home because no one can reach inside of their ducts and remove it. However, if there is an excessive amount of dirt then something needs to be done. Ducts that are actually clogged because of debris or dirt will force particles into the air from your register. They will also hinder the efficiency of your HVAC system which will force it to work harder driving up your energy costs and affecting the lifespan of your HVAC system. Neither is a great situation to find oneself in.
How Much Does Air Duct Cleaning Cost?
It is hard to give an exact estimate because every single home is different. While this is the leading question among customers thinking about air duct cleaning, a professional service uses several factors to determine the final cost, and therefore it’s impossible to offer a ballpark figure. In general, to calculate a cost Dallas, TX providers will consider the size of the system in question, what climate the home is located in, how easy the ductwork is to access, and how contaminated it is. More important than the cost is the credentials of the person you choose to do your air duct cleaning. You want to ensure they are qualified to work on HVAC systems and properly licensed as HVAC professionals.
What All Is Included with an Air Duct Cleaning Service?
Every company has its own definition of what air duct cleaning includes, so if you have any additional questions it is best to ask, but in general air duct cleaning usually includes all components of forced air systems. This would encompass the grilles, registers, return air ducts, supply air ducts, cooling and heating coils, drip pans, air handling unit house, fan housing, and fan motor. Some of these components are the backbone of your entire HVAC system, so once again it is extremely important to ensure that you choose a registered HVAC technician to clean your air ducts so that your HVAC system is not harmed in the process.
Air duct cleaning is important for two reasons: to maintain your system and to prevent the growth of mold or spores. If an HVAC system is not properly maintained it will not reach its full lifespan, and HVAC systems are not cheap. Replacing an HVAC system prematurely can severely hurt your budget and is something you want to avoid at all costs. The small costs of cleaning it annually versus installing a new unit are easily realized.
It is also important to keep an eye on your HVAC system to ensure that moisture is not being released at any junction. If there is an area of your HVAC system that is exposed to moisture mold, mildew, and spores will grow which can create a lot of problems for household members. Keep in mind that these need to be removed carefully so that the system is not re-contaminated in the process leaving you in a worse situation than the one you started with. Specialized tools and powerful vacuums are generally used by HVAC techs to avoid this result.
What to Expect During Air Duct Cleaning Service
If you have already set up a time for an air duct cleaning service, you may be curious about what to expect. The process is fairly straightforward so you can expect the HVAC professional to clean out every aspect of your HVAC system. You should be aware that this will require them to have access to pretty much every room in your home. You also should have all registers and supply/return air ducts easily accessible.
In order to get started, your cleaning professional will need to open all access doors and ports to ensure that the entire system is properly cleaned. They will also inspect the length of your system to ensure that there is no asbestos anywhere in your HVAC system. Commonly this can be found in the register boots or insulation in older homes. If they find asbestos the service will not be able to take place because asbestos cannot be handled by anyone but special contractors. At this point, you will have a different issue that will need to be resolved before any air duct cleaning can take place.
Once it is established that your HVAC system and ductwork are asbestos-free, the cleaning can commence which will include the use of vacuum equipment to pull particles out of the ductwork and exhaust them outside of your home. Before disturbing anything, however, the technician should protect nearby household furnishings and carpet with protective covers.
From time to time the technician may need to use special tools and brushes to remove dust or other particles that are stuck to the slides of the ductwork. They will do this carefully guiding the particles towards the vacuum so that once they are removed they are directly disposed of.
Throughout the air duct cleaning service, the technician should be careful to carefully re-insulate or seal any access holes that they run across while cleaning the ductwork. If they notice any areas that are not properly sealed they should take the appropriate measures to fix the weak points.
How to Keep Your Ducts Clean
After paying for an air duct cleaning service, your objective should be to keep your air ducts clean so that you don’t need another service anytime soon. There are a few basic steps that can help you do this. First, you should make it a point to pay for the best air filter that fits your specific HVAC system. Paying extra for a high-efficiency air filter is worth it when you consider it will save you money on your energy bills and help you avoid the cost of an air duct cleaning service again.
Choosing the right filter alone is not enough however, you also need to make sure you change your filters on a regular basis. Try to make it a point to change your HVAC filter every time you change the oil in your car. If you notice clogs forming on your filters this is a sign that you will need to change them more often than you currently are.
If you do any renovation or construction work in your home that creates a large amount of dust in your home then you need to make sure you turn off the HVAC system and cover all supply and return registers to prevent the dust from infiltrating your system. Allow the dust from the job to settle and then fully clean it up before opening up your registers and turning your HVAC system back on.
Finally, the best way to keep a handle on dust build-up in your home is by regularly vacuuming and dusting your home. Purchase a highly rated HEPA vacuum cleaner to help draw the dust out of the air so that you don’t leave too much behind to settle in your registers.
Are you ready to book an air duct cleaning service in Dallas, TX? One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas is an HVAC company with highly trained technicians that also offers air duct cleaning service. We would be happy to schedule a time for an estimate and inspection so that you can breathe easier in your home.