Is the air in your home clean? All of us breathe air when we are inside the home and most people are unsure about how clean the air inside their home is. Just like the air outside your home has several contaminants and pollutants, the air inside your home also have several contaminants. So if you breathe this air full of contaminants, the health risks increase multifold. You will be prone to various respiratory diseases, which can further get aggravated and take the form of allergy, asthma, persistent cough, nausea, headaches, and even fatigue. The root cause of these illnesses is the contaminants who have found their way into your home because your air duct or HVAC system is dirty.

Reduce health risks by cleaning Ducts

Contaminants in the air duct or your ventilation system are in different forms like fungi, Mold, allergens and bacteria. Allergens like pollen, dust, and pet dander are quite common and can get inside the HVAC system in your home, which will circulate it right into the air that you breathe. Such a scenario will pose higher health risks and create negative health consequences on a long-term basis. According to the American College of Allergy almost 50% of illnesses are caused by pollutants that exist in the air inside your home due to improper vent cleaning.

As a result, it is important to clean your HVAC system on a regular basis. It is not only the health perspective in question here but a clean air duct system will provide higher performance as compared to a dirty system. Efficient running of your air duct or HVAC system will help in reducing your energy bills. Cleaner air duct systems will have a longer lifespan and will have less technical problems. So there are many more advantages of having a clean HVAC system other than the fact that it will keep the air in your home cleaner.

Factors That Affect Cleaning

Vent cleaning is a must and needs to be done on a regular basis. The industry standards recommend that you should have an expert inspect your air ducts and vents once every two years, and also initiate vent cleaning once every 5-7 years. Of course there is no harm in initiating a vent cleaning process once every 3-4 years also but all this depends on the conditions within your home.

On the other hand the NADCA or National Air Duct Cleaners Association does not recommend any specific time frame for air duct cleaning. According to them air duct cleaning should be initiated by a homeowner when they feel it is necessary and have outlined certain factors that will lead to frequent vent cleaning. According to them, vent cleaning becomes necessary within a short period of time if:

1.Smoking is done in the house
2.There are pets in the house that shed hair and dander
3.There is damage or water contamination in the home or to the HVAC system
4.NADCA also recommends air duct cleaning prior to occupancy of a new home.

Cleaning Methods

The most effective way of air duct cleaning is by using source removal methods. A powerful vacuum cleaner is used as a part of this method and it can suck air with dirt from your air duct and ventilation system. There are certain devices, which are inserted into the air ducts like brushes, skipper balls and air whips to dislodge any dirt or debris that is stuck to the inner surface of the ventilation system.

You can choose a duct cleaning contractor who is an expert in vent cleaning and will be able to clean your piping, registers, ductwork, and blower motor. These professional vent cleaning experts also use vacuums mounted on trucks, which can clean according to NADCA standards. The vacuums mounted on trucks are very powerful cleaners.

You need to be careful while hiring air duct cleaning contractor. You can start with several contractors who will inspect your air duct and ventilation system and then offer you their best quote. You need to make sure that the air duct cleaning contractor visually inspects the air ducts and the various components of your HVAC system before offering you a cleaning solution.

If you hire NADCA contractors then you will be rest assured that your vent cleaning process will be based on NADCA guidelines. Check the license of the vent cleaning company and ask for at least 3 references. Last but not the least; don’t hire someone who offers you the lowest price because that will translate into inadequate cleaning.

Most people have become concerned about the increase in air pollution. We often associate air pollution with the outdoors, but indoor air pollution has become a growing health concern. The air quality in our homes and offices can have an affect on our health. Polluted indoor air can cause a host of problems such as breathing difficulties, allergies, and sinus problems. One method of reducing air pollution is to clean the air ducts.

Health Risks and Dirty Air Ducts

Air ducts can be found in such places as homes, schools, office buildings, hotels, retail establishments, apartment buildings,etc. Contaminated air ducts are often a major a major source of indoor air pollution. Air ducts can provide the perfect environment for the accumulation of allergens, bacteria, fungi, dust, dust mites, mold, and other organisms. Every time a heating and cooling unit runs, pollutants can be pulled in and over time, they will accumulate and flourish. Eventually, these contaminants are blown into rooms where they are inhaled by the occupants. The result will be the development of illnesses and severe allergic reactions.

Poor indoor air quality can cause or contribute to the development of chronic respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, lung disease, headaches and migraines, dry eyes, nasal congestion, nausea, insomnia, and tiredness. Biological pollutants such as moulds, bacteria, viruses, pollen, and animal dander reduce air quality which can cause serious illness.

Duct Cleaning Benefits

Cleaning your air ducts is a great method of improving the quality of indoor air. It improves air circulation, eliminates the built-up of contaminates, and improves the quality and function of heating and cooling systems. Duct cleaning involves the cleaning and disinfection of the components of a heating and cooling system. This normally includes supply and return air ducts and registers, grills and diffusers, heat exchangers, heating and cooling coils, drip pans, fan motor, fan housing and air handling unit housing. If not properly maintained, the components will become contaminated with dirt and other microorganisms.

Moisture in ducts is a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi which can cause respiratory illnesses when inhaled. If there are mice or rats running through the ducts, they will often leave their droppings in the ducts. Air blowing the droppings can result air contamination and may lead to serious health problems.

Duct Cleaning technicians have the experience and tools to thoroughly clean and disinfect ducts. There are professional cleaners that can clean a variety of ducts such as commercial, residential, and industrial ducts. The outcome will be a cleaner and less dusty home or building because there will no longer be any dust blowing into rooms. The chance of an indoor allergic reaction will be greatly reduced. Dust mites feed on debris found in air ducts. When you eliminate the debris, you will eliminate the dust mites. Newly constructed homes may also need a duct cleaning.

Materials such as plaster and drywall particles, wood, dust, insects and insulation can accumulate in ducts during construction. Removing these contaminants will make breathing in your new home much easier. New homes are now being built to be more energy efficient. This means that they are more air tight. Dirty air ducts in an energy efficient home can seriously affect the health of the occupants.

If left unclean for a long period of time, your air duct system could be a major source of dust and contaminants. For businesses, hiring a professional duct cleaning service once or twice a year will greatly improve the health of employees, clients, and customers. Cleaning home ducts will benefit homeowners, their children, and their pets

Find More Duct Cleaning Business Articles

Sometimes we take the simple act of breathing for granted. We don’t have to worry about it or think about it, it happens automatically. What happens, though, when what you once thought was a natural function of air into and out of your lungs becomes difficult? Asthma, the common cold virus, dust, mites, pollen, pet dander and the like can all make it extremely hard to breathe, and rarely are we aware of how frequently we come into contact with some or all of those pollutants like those mentioned. Even the tidiest homemaker is likely to have at least microscopic organisms like mold and germs in her house. Why? No matter how clean your house is kept, unless you clean your air ducts and vents, contaminants get into your home through your HVAC – your heating and cooling system.

If your heating and cooling ducts and vents are dirty or contain bacteria, mold, fungus or dander, or any kind of other pollutants, these vents and ducts will carry those impurities right into the air you and your family breathe in every day. We have all heard of the dangers of mold and mildew, and we all know what it is like to experience the temporary breathing difficulties associated with something as simple as the common cold. Think about how debilitating it could be to have a more permanent respiratory condition such as asthma, bronchitis, or a persistent allergy-induced cough. If you don’t properly clean your air vents and air ducts, you are subjecting yourself and your children to an increased likelihood of suffering from one or more of these distresses.

To make sure everyone stays as healthy as possible, you should routinely have your AC ducts and air vents professionally cleaned. Some estimates put the percentage of illnesses caused by contaminants in the air as high as 50%; it is simply logical that cleaning your air ducts and vents may help everyone in your household feel better each and every day of their lives.

However, the health benefits to people are not the only advantage to keeping your HVAC ducts and vents spic and span. A clean heating and air system can also help keep our environment healthy. That’s right, the cleaner your ducts and vents, the better your system is likely to run. The better your system runs, the less energy is used, and that is a great way to support our world. When your energy usage decreases, the thickness of your wallet increases because your utility company will get less of your hard-earned money. Also, clean machines run better than dirty ones and therefore last longer. Making sure your air ducts and vents are regularly maintained is likely to add years to the life of this major appliance.

Who Should Have these Air Ducts and Vents Cleaned? The simple answer is everyone, but there are also some lifestyle choices that increase your need for air duct and vent cleaning. If you or someone in your household is a smoker, you should definitely tie to it that your ducts and vents get inspected and have a thorough cleaning done regularly. Similarly, if your family enjoys the friendship of a canine or feline friend who sheds hair – don’t they all? – You should definitely have your system cleaned. Hair and dander can accumulate in the air ducts and vents and adversely affect your system’s performance and your family’s health. In addition to smoke and pet hair, water can also wreak havoc on the air ducts and vents in your home. Where there is water that is allowed to sit and fester, mold and mildew cannot be far behind, so if your house has had some type of water damage, be sure to seek the advice of a professional duct and vent cleaning company.

How exactly do these professional cleaning companies clean your forced air ducts and air vents? The process of air duct cleaning can be similar to cleaning your carpet. A trained professional uses a device similar to a huge vacuum cleaner that can “inhale” the dirt and germs out of your air vents and ducts. Sometimes the duct or vent-cleaning contractor will have this vacuum machine hooked to the company’s truck, so you don’t even have to worry about using your electricity. In addition to cleaning ducts and vents, most professional cleaners will also clean the other components of your system.

Whenever you decide to hire anyone to perform work on something as costly as an air- conditioning system, you should use research and caution. Air duct cleaning specialists and vent cleaning specialists have a trade-related organization to which they may belong and that sets the standards for the work. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association, or NADCA, sets forth guidelines for both HVAC systems and personnel, it is wise to check out a cleaning professional through the NADCA to get the peace of mind that comes from knowing you are following the proper rules about protecting your cooling and heating unit and your family’s health. Asking a company to provide the names and contact information for people they have serviced before is also recommended. Another good idea is to make sure the cleaning professional you have chosen has an appropriate existing license

Once you have your air ducts and vents inspected and decided on when and where to have them cleaned, you can sit back, relax in your favorite armchair, and breathe easy.

Getting the ducts cleaned isn’t exactly at the top of most people’s priority list, even if they have had a recent reminder of the benefits. To know if you need them cleaned there are several considerations to take into account.
The first question is can you take a deep breathe in your house easily? If you have absolutely no problems breathing indoors then you either have good air or are used to it. A better measure is if you notice what it feels like to breathe outdoor air when you walk outside. Getting your ducts cleaned will make the air in your home much easier to breathe, and will have the greatest effect on those with breathing sensitivities. Some people cite a lack of scientific consensus on the efficacy of duct as proof that the benefits are over-stated, but this has more to do with the average business size. As small, local businesses there aren’t many duct cleaners inclined to sponsor a study.
Cats and dogs in the home are the next concern. Animals slough off their skins cells twice as fast as humans, and there is their hair coming off as well. So having pets in the home will make it ougher for your to breathe, and all that good stuff gets into and through the ducts. Animal dander is in fact one of the main allergens there is, so it’s important to keep it out of general circulation if possible. Besides, have you ever gotten a lungful of dog fur filtered air? No matter how much you love them (and their smell) are you sure you want your house to smell like that? Maybe you would like that smell But your guests will feel differently.
How about the occupancy level? Humans have the same effect on air quality as animals – the more there are, the dirtier the air is . Human skin in the number component on houselhold dust, adn it stands to reason that ther more people there are, the more if it will be in the ducts. But also, people have the habit of dropping things down the ducts as well, be it garbage, grit from their shoes, or the odd wrapper or piece of food. It’s a simple correlation – the more occupants in a house, the dirtier the ducts get.
There is also the question of ambient humidity. We’ve received many calls from people who have decided to peek under the carpet in the basement and found mould all over the floor and wondered if it was inthe ducts too. Walls and floors don’t usually present much of a repair problem, but getting the ducts in order requires a professional with the proper training and equipment. We advise people to have their ducts cleaned regardless, as there doesn’t need to be a visible mould infestaiton for it to potentially threaten your health.
There are a few other majors points to think about too – if you’ve done some work on your house recently, if you’ve put in a new furnace, if you smoke indside, if your cold air vents are on the floor, and others too.
It boils down to wanting to live in a clean home. Nowadays most people don’t think their home is clean unless it is clean in its’ entirety, and for that to be true the ducts have to be clean as well. At what intervals you have your duct cleaned will depend on the issues raised above, but if you have never had it done you should start right away.
So the answer to “Should I have my ducts cleaned?” is yes, although how often you get the service done spends on the conditions in your home.

When a furnace is running, air is traveling through the air ducts and being blown throughout the home or building. In these ducts, dirt, dust, pollen, dust mites, and other pollutants accumulate over time. As well, if the ducts become humid, there will eventually be significant growth of bacteria, mold, and other organisms. The air along with the pollutants are blown through the duct system and distributed in the rooms where people and pets eventually become ill. According to the USEPA, “the levels of some hazardous pollutants in indoor air have been found to be up to 70 times greater than in outdoor air.” People who have such conditions as allergies and bronchial problems such as asthma are susceptible to serious reactions. To keep the air in your home or businesses clean, one should have their air ducts cleaned at least twice a year.

If you have pets, they carry dander which can accumulate in the ducts. As well, home or building renovations, smoke from cigarettes, dust accumulating on the furniture and windows, dirty air vents, and particles floating in the air are all signs that it may be time to clean your ducts. Physical symptoms of poor quality air resulting from dirty ducts include: constant sneezing, chest congestion, insomnia, fatigue, headaches, and shortness of breath, watery and runny eyes, and constant coughing. Having your ducts cleaned will remove the contaminants that end up in the rooms, decrease the amount of dust and dirt build up, and help people live and breathe better.

The path of metal air ducts will generally start in the basement and stretch throughout the home or building. A professional duct cleaning company will use special machine to thoroughly clean the entire duct system. A regular home duct cleaning will take an estimated three to four hours. Many duct service companies will use the most current cleaning technology, including special small robots that travel through the ducts and clean. Not only will cleaning the ducts improve the health of the home, it will also decrease energy costs as cleaning will improve how the system runs. It will not work so hard resulting in a more energy efficient system.

Due to the increase in poor quality indoor air, there is now a state called ‘Sick Building Syndrome.’ This syndrome means that the indoor air quality is so poor that people residing in the buildings are becoming sick. Causes of ‘sick building syndrome’ can include toxins, chemicals, pollutants, dust mites, mold, mildew, bacteria, viruses, and dirt in the air. The result of this syndrome is more people enlisting the services of professional duct cleaning companies.

The world has now become a much more polluted environment. We no longer are able to seek comfort by breathing quality air in our homes without performing some type of cleaning. Because there can be so many air born pollutants in buildings and homes, it has become vital to have one’s air ducts cleaned. By having your ducts cleaned by an experienced and certified duct cleaner, you will eliminate all of the harmful contaminants that can affect the heath of your family.

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Air ducts are passages which are contained within air conditioning units through which air is moved. They are used as part of an AC unit in order to regulate the internal temperature of an enclosed space like a room or an office.

We spend a great deal of time based inside our own houses and as such we will all be subjected to indoor allergens and irritants contained within a dirty home. Continued exposure to these problems has been shown to trigger asthma attacks or allergic reactions in certain people. One effective way of reducing the number of indoor air pollutants is to ensure that you carry out regular air duct cleaning on your AC unit. For many New Yorkers, AC units are, of course, an absolutely essential item, but, if they are not maintained and looked after correctly, they can also become a place in which mold, bacteria and dust particles are assemble. This means that, when the air is circulated through the system and back into your household, it can contain a number of unseen problems.

Regular air duct cleaning also has other advantages, most notably in terms of improving the overall efficiency of the system which will contribute towards reduced utility bills. A build up of debris within the air ducts of a dirty AC unit will reduce its ability to cool the air to a particular desired temperature. By contrast, a clean ductwork system will allow efficient running of the heating and cooling systems provided by your AC unit. The basic principle is that, if there are contaminates located within ductwork, these will prevent the usual operation of the system. It will then have to work much harder in order to create the internal environment for which it has been programmed.

If you suspect that your AC unit is running at less than its optimum efficiency, then it is usually best to contact a trained professional in order to provide a full, cleaning service. In the US, the industry is regulated by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (or NADCA in its abbreviated form), and so it is advisable to check with your local AC unit maintenance team that they are in possession of this accreditation. This will enable you to be provided with certain expectations regarding the standard of service which you can expect to receive when you hire one of their team to carry out this specialized piece of work.

If you are interested in finding out more information about AC unit manufacturers, retailers and suppliers which are based in the vicinity of your home or place of business, then a good starting point would be a visit to the following website: http://mikesairconditioning.com. From here, you will have a number of handy links to these businesses at your fingertips and you will be able to choose from a range of different services located and active in the New York City area. If you contact them soon, you will be able to begin making savings on your bills right away.

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Homeowners nowadays are having a hard time maintaining their homes. It is because of the busy lifestyle that they are no longer give attention to details. Perhaps air duct cleaning is not on top of the list. Who would have thought of taking time to clean something that is not even visible? Homeowners tend to oversee the importance of cleaning them. Unless they can experience bad quality of air circulating their homes, they will make time to clean it. Why not maintain a clean air duct before it could go worse?

Be responsible enough to maintain the house you are living in. This will make you save more money than paying for major repair. It is not a good idea to give attention only for repairs. You need to keep the air duct clean, like anything around you. Taking care of the things around your household will benefit you and your family in the long run. Do not wait for something serious to happen because it will be difficult for you to repair it. Regular cleaning will do the work for you. It allows you to save on time, effort and resources.

The air inside your household came from ducts. It is possible for the ducts to be a passage of dirt and dust. Small particles like cotton and fiber may build up inside the duct. Homeowners usually disregard this idea and do not make a daily habit of cleaning it. It is important to take in consideration that this can be hazardous.

Particles that accumulate inside the duct can clog the air passage. This means the air cannot circulate well. If the air passage is clogged the more energy it will use to push the air. A bad condition of air duct will eventually become less and less efficient. It will all lead to more expenses such as high energy cost and high amount of repair cost. Disregarding the importance of air duct cleaning is not a wise thing. You end up spending more. Also, a clogged air duct is not environment-friendly.

Clogged air ducts means the machine will exert more effort to force the air. The unusual performance of the machine due to the clog will end up destroying the device. If the parts of the machine are destroyed, replacing them one by one can cost a fortune.  Forgetting to clean them regularly is like getting ready to spend for a major repair. The motor, igniters, and thermostat may not work at all and must be replaced. Responsible household owners should set aside a time allotted in cleaning the air ducts. After all, this is a responsibility that will not take too much of your time.

Maintaining clean air ducts can make your house a more comfortable place to stay in. Air ducts helps the air inside the household regulated especially during summer and winter months. It keeps your body temperature regulated.  A healthy body needs to be comforted by a clean and well maintained house. Insects and other pest can intrude the duct outlets. If you want a safe air around your homes, then you should consider cleaning the air ducts.

If you are allergic to dust then forgetting to maintain clean air ducts can make you sick. Allergens can build up inside so they can be trapped and stay inside the ducts. They can spread inside your home that is why air duct cleaning must be taken into consideration. Visit http://mikesairconditioning.com and find out how easy and affordable it is to maintain a clean air duct.

There are many considerations to take into account when looking to find an air duct cleaning company. Take a few minutes now to look for the best. Take into consideration all of the different options that are available as well as what it is that they will be doing for you so to make the best decision. Look at all of the angles.

Consider how it is you will start your search for an air duct cleaning company. Will you go to the traditional yellow pages, or will you go to the web to be able to find the answer to your quest. In the phone book, you will be able to immediately find listings for places near you, as well as locate phone numbers and possibly more information. If you opt to do a web search on possible companies, you may be able to find out a great deal more about the company than simple numbers and location.

By taking advantage of what the web has to offer, you may be able to find customer reviews for the company you are looking at as well as a listing of hours or other services that are available. You may be able to locate the company on the web with a full-blown webpage that will list everything about the company including rates and testimonials that people have left about the company. You may also be able to search the web for reviews on the air duct cleaning companies you are looking at that may not all be favorable.

Take into consideration what types of services offered by the company as well. See if they provide a guarantee of the work performed or if they are trying to procure a service contract for an extended period. See how long it will take them to perform the tasks and what type of equipment will be in use. The goal is to find out what type of work they will be doing and are they willing to stand behind it or are they simply looking to get their foot in your door and hope to be able to stay for a while.

Look into the Better Business Bureau in regards to any company you may be considering for air duct cleaning. Here you will be able to see if there have been any formal complaints filed against the company as well as if anyone has given praise. In many cases if there is no news with the bureau, that is good news. Most people will only contact them if they have had a problem as opposed to if they have done well.

Use your best judgment and make a decision to work with someone whom you believe you can trust. It is all about what you feel you will be able to get out of the company and the quality of work you want them to provide that will be able to appease you. Remember to do your research and to know who it is you will be hiring before hiring them.

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Best answer:

Answer by Lucky
If you want to keep mold and dust out of your house get them cleaned.

What do you think? Answer below!

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Back in the 1980′s the use of robots was becoming quite widespread for many and diverse applications in industry. They became popularized on TV and in movies and were being newly tasked with many jobs to cut down on labor costs and increase precision in the production of many items. This included using the robot duct cleaning technology in residential, industrial and business office applications.

About the same time that robots were coming into their own, there was a new awareness of some of the problems posed by building HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems. You might recall the big scare that occurred surrounding what was newly termed Legionnaire’s Disease, when so many people got sick while attending a conference of the American Legion in Philadelphia in 1976. It was later determined that the bacteria responsible for making so many people ill had been lurking in the building’s air duct system.

If not completely and regularly cleaned of dust and debris, air ducts can become host to a variety of problem causing bacteria and fungi that, left untreated, can cause illness to those exposed to the environment within the building. Some of the symptoms can include tiredness, fever, chills, loss of appetite and headache, among others. The air duct cleaning industry then found a new employment for robotics that was a big help in educating clients. They started using small robots with cameras to travel throughout the air duct systems and make a video of just was up there in those hidden areas. This could be shown to a prospective customer as proof positive that a real problem existed in their facility.

But that was just the beginning. Since these machines had become so useful in identifying the problem with the HVAC systems, maybe they could be further adapted to help fix the problem too. And that’s just what happened.

After all, getting into an air duct to clean it was no easy feat, especially ducts with a small diameter. Pressurized air was typically employed for cleaning, with an attachment at the end of a long hose. But this set-up was kind or hit or miss, especially with all the nooks and crannies, bends and corners that air ducts often have. It was better than not cleaning them at all, but still left a result that was less than ideal.

To address this shortcoming, a new robot was developed to actually do the cleaning. Outfitted with bristle brushes, cameras and lights, this little gadget went to work like a mad demon. Run by remote control, with a TV monitor for viewing where it was going and where it had been, this little guy is awesome.

Use of the robot saves big on labor costs and makes the job quicker and easier. With adjustable brushes moving on all sides it’s possible to clean all duct surfaces in one shot. And these machines are designed to get into all the corners that, until now, had been practically impossible to accomplish.

There is really no better way to clean air duct systems. And you’ll certainly breathe easier after the job is done. If you want it done fast and you want it done right, using the robot duct cleaning method is the only way to go.

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