Expect to see a reduction in the need for dust removal. Expect to see a reduction in reactions to environmental allergies, such as dust, dust mites, pollen, and similar allergens, while you're inside the house. Expect less bacteria, dust, dust mites, and other debris to circulate throughout the house through the duct system. Once everything is out of the ducts, the technician will check and disinfect every corner of the system.
This will remove any remaining dust, allergens or bacteria. It will also create a healthier environment inside the ducts, which means that there will be no more mold growth and will improve air quality. You may consider cleaning air ducts simply because it seems logical that air ducts get dirty over time and should be cleaned from time to time. As long as cleaning is done properly, there is no evidence to suggest that such cleaning could be harmful. The EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned routinely, but only when necessary.
However, the EPA recommends that if you have an oven, stove, or chimney that burns fuel, they be inspected to make sure they are working properly and serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. Duct cleaning methods vary, although industry associations concerned with air duct cleaning have established standards. Knowledge about cleaning air ducts is in its early stages, so a general recommendation cannot be given as to whether air ducts in the house should be cleaned. Providers of air duct cleaning services can tell you that they need to apply chemical biocides inside ducts as a means to kill bacteria (germs) and fungi (mold) and prevent biological growth in the future. If sufficient dirt and moisture are allowed to enter the duct system, there may not be a significant difference in the speed or degree of microbial growth in internally lined or bare metal foil ducts.
On the other hand, if a service provider doesn't follow proper duct cleaning procedures, duct cleaning can cause problems with indoor air. Air duct cleaning service providers may tell you that they must apply a chemical biocide inside the ducts to kill bacteria (germs) and fungi (mold) and prevent their biological growth in the future. If no one in your household has allergies or unexplained symptoms or illnesses and if, after a visual inspection of the inside of the ducts, you don't see any signs that the air ducts are contaminated with large deposits of dust or mold (there is no musty smell or visible mold growth), cleaning the air ducts is probably not necessary. This is because much of the dirt that can accumulate inside air ducts adheres to duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living space.
Most organizations dealing with pipeline cleaning, including the EPA, NADCA, NAIMA, and the National Association of Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors (SMACNA), do not currently recommend the routine use of sealants to encapsulate contaminants in any type of duct. Whether or not you decide to clean your home's air ducts, it's essential to commit to a good preventive maintenance program to minimize pollution of the ducts. Whether or not you decide to clean your home's air ducts, preventing water and dirt from entering the system is the most effective way to prevent pollution (see How to Prevent Duct Contamination). Whether you decide to clean your home's air ducts or not, it's essential to commit to a good preventive maintenance program to minimize duct pollution.
Some service providers may also suggest applying chemical treatments (sealants or other encapsulants) to encapsulate or cover the interior surfaces of air ducts and equipment housings, as they believe this will control the formation of mold or prevent the release of dirt particles or fibers through the ducts. Cleaning the air ducts can be considered simply because it seems logical that the air ducts become dirty over time and that they should be cleaned from time to time. In a while. While many of these products can legally be used inside uncoated ducts if all instructions on the label are followed, some of the instructions on the label may not be suitable for use on ducts.
