Air Duct Cleaning - 5 Myths

Air Vent Cleaning is shrouded in mystery. The dos/don'ts, coulda and shouldas. We all know the importance of clear quality air for ourselves but we also often over-look air vent duties. The closest we get to cleaning dust and debris which might affect our lungs is the dust and dirt embedded in our carpets and resting on our furniture surfaces.

So with it being an often overlooked service of course many misconceptions creep into the public conscious. Here are a few of the common ones.

1. You need to use chemicals to remove all the bacteria from a dirty duct.

This is false. In fact there is no proven need to use chemicals what so ever. So question your service providers use of them before letting them commence with work. Many chemicals that would be useful at removing dirt from flat metal would be dangerous to your health if breathed in and could be un-useful in a residential environment. As would the usage of Ozone which can be dangerous to your health and is usually used to fumigate large unoccupied spaces.

2. You rarely need to hire air duct cleaners.

Whilst you might not need a full service every year, or even every three years - once you strike a relationship up with your tried and tested service provider you should have your ducts inspected once a year. They can see and run tests not possible by the client and keep a check on the air quality being produced by your forced air system.

3. Air ducts can only collect debris in an air conditioning system.

Incorrect. Air ducts will get dirty in ANY forced air system. Be in a fresh air ventilation system, a hot air pump system, heat exchanger, heat system etc. Anything in which air travels through duct work and works by way of a forced air system is susceptible to collecting dirt and debris.

4. Only an air conditioning system with a de-humidier can produce bacteria.

While it is true moisture in the system is the number one cause for concern (as moisture trapped in dust is a positive breeding ground for germs) virtually ALL air conditioning systems have a drip tray which collects water that is produced when the hot air removed from the room passes over the coil. If for whatever this trays drain away becomes blocked or obstructed water could enter the air tight duct system and cause air quality problems.

5. Unclean air ducts have no effect on general health.

While there are differing opinions over the importance of regular air duct cleaning there is no doubt bacteria in a forced air system growing as mould can decrease the quality of breathable air and become a risk to our health, causing us to feel run down, headaches, "flu" like symptoms and even act as a trigger for asthma in young children.