To clean the air ducts of a central air conditioning system is a fundamental part of the correct maintenance plan to be executed in the equipment. These actions, changes in air quality in terms of health and comfort, prolonging the life of the equipment, ensuring the proper functioning of the system and optimizing energy efficiency
So, the answer to the question is yes. But it is important to understand the cleaning service of the air ducts involved in many factors to consider and that such a task should be performed by specialists. Although a basic duct cleaning service for a typical house can be executed relatively quickly and at a low cost, the truth is that the actual price and the complexity of the work affected are very conditioned by the amount and type of problems presented by the system of air Central air conditioning.
Normally, incorrectly installed systems and with periodic maintenance, the cleaning of the conductors should be carried out every 4 or 5 years. But the practice requires that at least once a year it is necessary to make an inspection with trained personnel to ensure that the network of drivers does not present pathologies that can affect the performance of the equipment and the quality of the air to breathe.
The factors that condition the cleanliness of the air ducts
The size and type of ducts, the number of sections and grilles that the system has, the level of contamination inside the ducts, the difficulty in accessing the inspection, the amount of personnel needed, the breakdowns of the facilities, the leaks in the unions, and even the geographical area where the house is located are conditions of the type of service that must be deployed to clean the network of air ducts.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Association of Air Duct Cleaners (NADCA) calculate most of the work done within a price range from $ 400 to $ 1,000. And they also have to perform a serious and professional cleaning must include, in addition to the conductors and grilles; inspection of the heat exchanger, the blower, the drain pan, the impeller chamber and the coils. “Call us now and request an inspection of your ducts to ensure the good performance of your A/C system.”
Of all the inconveniences that can be found in the cleaning of the central air conditioning ducts, four factors are punctual and detailed treatment:
– The boilers. Each brand and model modified according to the maintenance that must be performed and for that reason, it is necessary to know its integral operation to perform the cleaning tasks without causing damage to the equipment. The age of the equipment and the state of maintenance can be influential factor in the cleaning strategy.
– The pests. Be they rats, insects or vermin, the nests and excrements that leave in the residual form inside the ducts, a great risk of performance of the equipment and the quality of the air to breathe. In some cases, it is necessary to resort to pest control companies because the use of pesticides must be supervised by specialists.
– Fungi. Similar to what happens with pests, fungi and mold that form inside the ducts without maintenance, can cause serious respiratory problems and unpleasant odors. You definitely have to turn to specialized companies because the cleaning of the affected drivers must be carried out with affected and controlled chemicals.
– The accesses. Both the exterior and the interior can be a condition for correctly executing the cleaning of the central air conditioning ducts. The evaporator, condenser and boiler must have easy access and have a comfortable space for manipulable tools. Similarly, access to attics and the entire network of conductors must be comfortable enough to control the efficiency of the cleaning task.
The task of cleaning a central air conditioning system is a task that must be performed by a professional expert in HVAC systems and with NATE certification. A complete and well executed service must include cleaning of the supply and return ducts, grilles, diffusers, exchangers, drip trays, fans and the air handling unit itself.
The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that all duct cleaners meet the standards of the National Association of Air Duct Cleaners for evaluation, cleaning and restoration; for that reason, it is always convenient to verify that the personnel that will intervene in the cleaning of the air ducts comply with the NADCA references and certifications.
People who are fond of DIY, but without the necessary experience or the right tools, are prone to leave incomplete or poorly executed jobs. This situation causes a new and rapid accumulation of pollen, dust, construction debris and allergens; and in the worst case, irreparable damage to the components of the HVAC system, a situation that ends up making things worse.
Finally, it is important to mention that dust accumulation in an HVAC system is a normal situation. And to know if cleaning of the air ducts is necessary, the first thing is to visually verify the accumulation of dirt, dust or mold in grilles and ducts. Then, the presence of strange odors and lack of performance can be indicators that cleaning is needed.
References:
Link EPA – Full report
Information and suggestions.
Link Home Advisor – Cost guide
A complete guide to approximate costs.
Link Energy Star – Summary
General characteristics.
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