As the
term suggests, air duct cleaning Plano generally refers to the cleaning of various
heating and cooling system components of forced air systems in your home. This
includes the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers.
Also
included are the heat exchangers’ heating and cooling coils, condensate drain
pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.
As it is,
many people are now aware that indoor air pollution is an issue of growing
concern and increased visibility. There are now many companies that are
marketing products and services intended to improve the quality of your indoor
air.
Cleaning
reminders
If you
decide to have your heating and cooling system cleaned, it important to make
sure the service provider is qualified to do so, and agrees to clean all their components
in cleaning your air duct system.
There are sections
of your heating and cooling system that may not be accessible for a visible
inspection. A service provider can do the job.
Knowledge
about the potential benefits and possible problems of air duct cleaning is
limited, though. Since conditions in every home are different, it is also impossible
to generalize about whether or not air duct cleaning in your home would be
beneficial.
Backfire
If not
properly installed, maintained and operated, the equipment of the service
provider and their other components may become contaminated with particles of
dust, pollen or other debris from their last projects. The problem begins when
they bring it into your homes.
If
moisture is present in your system, the potential for microbiological growth
(e.g., mold) is increased and spores from such growth may be released into the
home's living space.
Chemical
treatments
Some
service providers may also suggest applying chemical treatments (sealants or
other encapsulants) to encapsulate or cover the inside surfaces of the air
ducts and equipment housings.
They
believe it will control mold growth or prevent the release of dirt particles or
fibers from ducts.
Caution
However,
these practices have yet to be fully researched and you should be fully
informed before deciding to permit 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.
Some
considerations
You may
consider having your air ducts cleaned simply because it seems logical that air
ducts will get dirty over time and should occasionally be cleaned.
While the
debate about the value of periodic duct cleaning continues, no evidence
suggests that such cleaning would be detrimental, provided that it is done
properly.
Cleaning
can be hazardous
On the
other hand, if a service provider fails to follow proper duct cleaning
procedures, duct cleaning can cause indoor air problems.
For
example, an inadequate vacuum collection system can release more dust, dirt and
other contaminants than if you had left the ducts alone.
A careless
or inadequately trained service provider can damage your ducts or heating and
cooling system, possibly increasing your heating and air conditioning costs or
forcing you to undertake difficult and costly repairs or replacements.
