Most people are now aware that indoor air pollution is an issue of growing concern and increased visibility. Many companies are marketing products and services intended to improve the quality of your indoor air.
Whether your concern is your home or office, if you suffer from allergies, have constant or frequent headaches, suffer from acute asthma, smell of mold, or if you find you have to dust more often, then you MAY need a State Licensed Air Conditioning Contractor to clean your air system and air ducts.
The EPA states In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors unquote.
It has also been concluded that 50 percent of all illnesses are either caused by, or aggravated by, polluted indoor air. Even in new homes and offices there is as much dust if not more due to construction activity as compared to older homes or offices.
Over time, pollutants, mold and bacteria from dirt, pollen, tobacco smoke, pet hair and dust mites collect in the ductwork of your home’s heating and cooling system. Every time your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump runs, these potentially hazardous particles blow through the vents and spew into the air that your family breathes. It’s UNSANITARY and UNHEALTHY.
Why air duct cleaning?
1. Cleaning your air ducts reduces household allergens.
2. It eliminates harmful molds and other pollutants from spreading throughout the home or office.
3. Cleaning reduces the frequency of dusting.
4. Not only will you breathe cleaner air, you can increase the amount of air flow reducing your electric bills.
5. Studies have shown that polluted air in your home or office can cause or increase sickness
Should you decide to have your air ducts clean, remember to find a company who knows what to do. I highly recommend a company who is a State licensed air conditioning contractor as they have a working knowledge, training, and are better to evaluate your air and heat system.
Information to help you make an informed decision about air duct cleaners
Use only Companies that use High Efficiency Particulate Air filtered Vacuums, with a minimal of 2,300 Cubic feet per minute of vacuum power. The MORE Cubic feet per minute of vacuum power the better cleaning you will get. You should verify this with a copy of the manufacturer’s specification sheets.
Check the requirements of your particular state. Many states, Florida is one such state, requires that that whenever a company opens the air handler to clean or disassemble any portion of the air system, they are required by law to have an Air Conditioning or Mechanical state contractors license. And to assure that your air system is properly opening and partial disassembly is required. Cleaning systems by non-licensed Duct Cleaners could be ILLEGAL, dangerous and could be damage your air system. Ask whoever is going to clean your air system that they provide proof of their State Air Conditioning or Mechanical Contractors License.
Just cleaning the Air Ducts is not enough! They company should clean the interior of the air handler and the coils. They should also disassembly the blower fan to be properly cleaned. In most states opening and or dissembling the air system can only be done legally by a State Licensed Air Conditioning Company.
Just cleaning the vents or just part of the system is a waste of money and will not minimize contaminates within the air duct system. The company must clean all the duct work and that can only be accomplished by interior with special air duct cleaning agitating tools while the entire system is under negative pressure with a power vacuum of at least two thousand or more manufacturers rated Cubic feet per minute power.
Air filters should be promptly replaced or cleaned after the system is completely cleaned. Some houses and offices may require more frequent changing of filters, specially designed filters, or a special filtration system installed due to the families with allergies, sensitivity to air pollution, respiratory illnesses, number of pets, dirt, and foot traffic.
In order to minimize a re-occurrence of contaminates in your air system, the company that cleans your air ducts, should have a legal State Air Conditioning Contractor’s Business License and the ability to properly determine, provide and install additional indoor environmental equipment based on your system, your special needs and budget.
If you like to know more about Indoor Air Quality, please click on this link indoor air quality
