Why Clean Your Ducts

• Children are more likely than adults to be affected by polluted air; they breathe faster, inhale more air per unit of body weight and are closer to the ground where concentrations are higher. (Department of Consumer Affairs)
• Among the top five reasons for emergency room visits in 2008 was Colds/Flu and Asthma attacks for children under 10. (Wolters-Kluwer Health)
• One out of every six people who suffer from allergies does so because of the direct relationship to the fungi and bacteria in the air duct systems. (Total Health & Better Health Magazine)
• 90% of heating and cooling system failures are caused by dust and dirt. (Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service)
• The elderly, asthmatics and people with respiratory problems, such as allergies and lung diseases, are more sensitive to pollutants. (Department of Consumer Affairs)
• One millimeter of dirt on a heating or cooling coil can decrease it's efficiency up to 21%. (Environmental Protection Agency)
• Most fiberglass furnace filters are only 7% effective in stopping dirt, dust, pollen, etc.

(American Society of Heat, Ref., Ac. Engineers)

• Most people spend 60 to 90% of their time indoors. (American Lung Association)
• 50% of all illnesses are either caused or aggravated by polluted indoor air.(American College of Allergists)
• The average six-room house collects 40 pounds of dust each year. (Discover Magazine)
• Air pollution contributes to lung disease, which claims close to 361,000 lives in America every year and is the third-leading cause of death in the United States. (American Lung Association)
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ranks poor indoor air quality among the top five environmental risks to public health. (E.P.A.)

From NADCA.com

Are there any health benefits that come from HVAC system cleaning?
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems have been shown to act as a collection source for a variety of contaminants that have the potential to affect health, such as mold, fungi, bacteria, and very small particles of dust. The removal of such contaminants from the HVAC system and home should be considered as one component in an overall plan to improve indoor air quality.

Will HVAC system cleaning reduce our home energy bills?
Research by the U.S. EPA has demonstrated that HVAC system cleaning may allow systems to run more efficiently by removing debris from sensitive mechanical components. Clean, efficient systems are less likely to break down, have a longer life span, and generally operate more effectively than dirty systems.

How often should residential HVAC systems be cleaned?
Frequency of cleaning depends on several factors, not the least of which is the preference of the home owner. Some of the things that may lead a home owner to consider more frequent cleaning include:
-  Smokers in the household
-  Pets that shed high amounts of hair and dander
-  Water contamination or damage to the home or HVAC system
-  Residents with allergies or asthma who might benefit from a reduction in the amount of indoor air pollutants in the home’s HVAC system
-  After home renovations or remodeling
-  Prior to occupancy of a new home.

For the complete list of NADCA Residential Consumer FAQ's visit: NADACA

A study conducted by Allergy Consumer Review (reported at www.allergyconsumerreview.com/air-purifiers-furnace-filters.html) found that HVAC cleaning reduced airborne particulates by about 75% and contributed significantly to a reduction of allergy and illness symptoms in the building. Read the entire report here:
From PlanetServices.com: When HVAC systems need cleaning:Out of sight, out of mind is not a good excuse for avoiding the task. (http://www.plantservices.com/articles/2009/052.html)

According to the EPA:

You should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if:
- There is substantial visible mold growth is present in hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system.
- Ducts are infested with vermin (e.g., rodents or insects)
- Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.

For more information read: Should I Have My Air Ducts Professionally Cleaned?
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pdfs/airducts.pdf

Read also at EPA.gov: The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/hpguide.html

Download the ASHRAE Guide to Indoor Air Quality
http://cms.ashrae.biz/iaqguide/

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Do I really need my air ducts professionally cleaned?
A: You can't afford not to! Duct cleaning performed by experienced Productive Technicians can:
•  Improve the indoor air quality of your home
•  Lower utility costs by improving airflow.
•  Extend the life and improve the efficiency of your heating and air conditioning system
•  Improve the health and well being of you and your family.

Q: How often should I have the ductwork cleaned?
A: Typically every 3 to 5 years. However, this frequency depends on the individual circumstances.
Reasons to consider more frequent cleanings would include:
•  Residents with allergies or asthma
•  Smoker in the household
•  Hair and dander from pets
Other reasons to clean your ducts might include:
•  Water or smoke contamination to the home
•  Renovations or remodeling
•  Purchasing an existing home
•  Occupancy of a newly constructed home (construction debris)