As the National Air Duct Cleaners Association maintains, “because they get dirty!” (NADCA).
In addition to normal accumulations of dust and dirt found in all homes through regular use, several other factors can increase the need for air duct cleaning:
Some occupants are more sensitive to these contaminants than others. Allergy and asthma sufferers, as well as young children and the elderly tend to be more susceptible to the types of poor indoor air quality that air duct cleaning can help to address.
The EPA adds that you should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if there is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system.
There are several important points to understand concerning mold detection in heating and cooling systems:
If any of the conditions identified above exists, it usually suggests one or more underlying causes. Prior to any cleaning, retrofitting, or replacing of your ducts, the cause or causes must be corrected or else the problem will likely recur.
“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.”
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) also states, “air duct cleaning is a misnomer” (NADCA.com). The hold that the entire HVAC system should be cleaned and that failure to clean all components of the system can result in re-contamination of the entire system, thus minimizing the benefits of cleaning. “Just as you wouldn’t only clean half of your living room floor, you also would not want to clean only part of your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system” (NADCA.com). NADCA recommends cleaning the entire HVAC system, including the following components:
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If not properly installed, maintained, and operated, these components may become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen or other debris. If moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth (e.g., mold) is increased and spores from such growth may be released into the home’s living space. Some of these contaminants may cause allergic reactions or other symptoms in people if they are exposed to them.
If you decide to have your heating and cooling system cleaned, it is important to make sure the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so. Failure to clean a component of a contaminated system can result in re-contamination of the entire system, thus negating any potential benefits.
Our dedication to quality assurance helps ensure and promote a higher standard of performance than other Chicagoland air duct cleaning. Quality assurance also provides a means of consumer education. This page will walk you through the basics of air duct cleaning and the difference that being a National Air Duct Cleaners (NADCA) member makes.
We perform work in accordance with NADCA Standards, ensuring your home receives a thorough cleaning.
NADCA Standard:
A company must meet stringent requirements in order to be a member of NADCA. The company must:
As a NADCA certified company, we follow a strict code of ethics that, when combined with the NADCA standard, provides a higher level of assurance to our customers.
Below are the NADCA & Duct Heroes of Ethics:
EPA’s “Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned?”:
http://www.epa.gov/PR_Notices/prdraft_hvacr_2006.htm
NADCA’s “Why Choose a NADCA Member?”:
http://nadca.com/residential/why-nadca