How Often Should I Get My Air Ducts Cleaned
EPA 402-Thou-97-002, October 1997
On this folio:
- Summary
- What Is Air Duct Cleaning?
- Deciding Whether or Not to Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned
- Suggestions for Choosing a Duct Cleaning Service Provider
- What to Wait of an Air Duct Cleaning Service Provider
- How to Decide if the Duct Cleaner Did a Thorough Job
- How to Prevent Duct Contamination
- To Forbid Dirt from Inbound the System
- To Prevent Ducts from Condign Wet
- Unresolved Bug of Duct Cleaning
- Does duct cleaning forbid health problems?
- Are duct materials other than bare sheet metal ducts more likely to be contaminated with mold and other biological contaminants?
- Should chemic biocides exist practical to the inside of air ducts?
- Do sealants forestall the release of dust and dirt particles into the air?
- To Acquire More than About Indoor Air Quality
- To Acquire More About Air Duct Cleaning
- Other Useful Resources
- Consumer Checklist
Summary
Knowledge virtually air duct cleaning is in its early stages, so a blanket recommendation cannot be offered as to whether y'all should have your air ducts in your home cleaned. The U.S. Environmental Protection Bureau (EPA) urges y'all to read this document in it entirety as it provides of import data on the field of study.
Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually forestall wellness problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (eastward.chiliad., dust) levels in homes increase because of muddy air ducts. This is because much of the dirt in air ducts adheres to duct surfaces and does non necessarily enter the living space. It is important to go on in mind that dirty air ducts are only one of many possible sources of particles that are present in homes. Pollutants that enter the home both from outdoors and indoor activities such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or just moving around tin can cause greater exposure to contaminants than dingy air ducts. Moreover, there is no prove that a light amount of household grit or other particulate thing in air ducts poses whatever risk to your wellness.
You lot should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if:
In that location is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.grand., canvass metallic) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system. There are several important points to empathise apropos mold detection in heating and cooling systems:
- Many sections of your heating and cooling arrangement may non be attainable for a visible inspection, so ask the service provider to bear witness you whatsoever mold they say exists.
- You should exist aware that although a substance may wait similar mold, a positive determination of whether it is mold or not tin can be made only by an adept and may crave laboratory assay for final confirmation. For virtually $l, some microbiology laboratories tin tell you whether a sample sent to them on a clear strip of sticky household record is mold or simply a substance that resembles it.
- If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy it cannot be finer cleaned and should exist removed and replaced.
- If the atmospheric condition causing the mold growth in the starting time identify are non corrected, mold growth will recur.
Ducts are infested with vermin, e.m. (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.
If whatever of the conditions identified above exists, it usually suggests 1 or more underlying causes. Prior to whatsoever cleaning, retrofitting, or replacing of your ducts, the cause or causes must be corrected or else the problem will likely recur.
Some research suggests that cleaning heating and cooling system components (e.thousand., cooling coils, fans and heat exchangers) may improve the efficiency of your system, resulting in a longer operating life, as well as some energy and maintenance price savings. Nevertheless, picayune evidence exists that cleaning simply the ducts will improve the efficiency of the system.
You may consider having your air ducts cleaned merely because it seems logical that air ducts will get muddy over time and should be occasionally cleaned. Provided that the cleaning is done properly, no show suggests that such cleaning would be detrimental. EPA does non recommend that the air ducts be cleaned routinely, simply merely as needed. EPA does, however, recommend that if yous take a fuel called-for furnace, stove or fireplace, they be inspected for proper performance and serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.
If yous do determine to have your air ducts cleaned, take the same consumer precautions you commonly would in assessing the service provider's competence and reliability.
Air duct cleaning service providers may tell yous that they demand to apply chemical biocide to the inside of your ducts as a means to kill leaner (germs) and fungi (mold) and prevent future biological growth. They may too propose the application of a "sealant" to prevent grit and dirt particles from being released into the air or to seal air leaks. Y'all should fully understand the pros and cons of permitting application of chemical biocides or sealants. While the targeted utilize of chemic biocides and sealants may be appropriate under specific circumstances, inquiry has not demonstrated their effectiveness in duct cleaning or their potential adverse health effects. No chemical biocides are currently registered by EPA for use in internally-insulated air duct systems (encounter Should chemical biocides be practical to the inside of air ducts?).
Whether or non you decide to accept the air ducts in your dwelling house cleaned, preventing water and clay from inbound the system is the most effective style to foreclose contamination (see How to Prevent Duct Contamination).
What is Air Duct Cleaning?
About people are at present aware that indoor air pollution is an issue of growing concern and increased visibility. Many companies are marketing products and services intended to amend the quality of your indoor air. You lot have probably seen an advertisement, received a coupon in the post, or been approached directly by a company offering to clean your air ducts as a means of improving your home's indoor air quality. These services typically — but non e'er — range in cost from $450 to $1,000 per heating and cooling system, depending on:
the services offered
- the size of the organisation to be cleaned
- arrangement accessibility
- climatic region
- level of contagion
If you determine to have your heating and cooling system cleaned, it important to make certain the service provider agrees to make clean all components of the system and is qualified to do then.
Duct cleaning mostly refers to the cleaning of diverse heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and render air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate bleed pans (baste pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air treatment unit housing (See diagram).
If not properly installed, maintained and operated, these components may become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen or other debris. If moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth (due east.one thousand., mold) is increased and spores from such growth may exist released into the home's living infinite. Some of these contaminants may cause allergic reactions or other symptoms in people if they are exposed to them. If you decide to accept your heating and cooling system cleaned, it is important to make sure the service provider agrees to clean all components of the organization and is qualified to exercise and then. Failure to clean a component of a contaminated arrangement can consequence in re-contamination of the entire arrangement, thus negating any potential benefits. Methods of duct cleaning vary, although standards have been established past industry associations concerned with air duct cleaning. Typically, a service provider will use specialized tools to dislodge dirt and other debris in ducts, then vacuum them out with a high-powered vacuum cleaner.
In addition, the service provider may propose applying chemical biocides, designed to kill microbiological contaminants, to the inside of the duct work and to other organization components. Some service providers may also suggest applying chemic treatments (sealants or other encapsulants) to encapsulate or encompass the inside surfaces of the air ducts and equipment housings because they believe information technology volition command mold growth or forestall the release of dirt particles or fibers from ducts. These practices accept yet to exist fully researched and you should be fully informed before deciding to let the utilize of biocides or chemical treatments in your air ducts. They should only be applied, if at all, subsequently the system has been properly cleaned of all visible dust or debris.
Note: Use of sealants to encapsulate the within surfaces of ducts is a different practice than sealing duct air leaks. Sealing duct air leaks can help salvage energy on heating and cooling bills. For more than information, see EPA's Free energy Star website.
Deciding Whether or Not to Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned
Knowledge about the potential benefits and possible problems of air duct cleaning is express. Since conditions in every abode are different, it is impossible to generalize about whether or non air duct cleaning in your habitation would exist beneficial.
If no one in your household suffers from allergies or unexplained symptoms or illnesses and if, subsequently a visual inspection of the within of the ducts, you see no indication that your air ducts are contaminated with big deposits of dust or mold (no musty scent or visible mold growth), having your air ducts cleaned is probably unnecessary. It is normal for the return registers to become dusty as dust-laden air is pulled through the grate. This does not indicate that your air ducts are contaminated with heavy deposits of dust or droppings; the registers can be easily vacuumed or removed and cleaned.
On the other hand, if family unit members are experiencing unusual or unexplained symptoms or illnesses that you retrieve might be related to your home environment, you should talk over the situation with your doctor. EPA has published the following publications for guidance on identifying possible indoor air quality problems and ways to prevent or prepare them.
- Indoor Air Quality: An Introduction for Health Professionals
- The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality
You may consider having your air ducts cleaned only considering information technology seems logical that air ducts will get dirty over time and should occasionally be cleaned. While the debate nigh the value of periodic duct cleaning continues, no evidence suggests that such cleaning would exist detrimental, provided that it is washed properly.
On the other hand, if a service provider fails to follow proper duct cleaning procedures, duct cleaning can cause indoor air problems. For example, an inadequate vacuum collection arrangement can release more than dust, dirt and other contaminants than if you lot had left the ducts alone. A devil-may-care or inadequately trained service provider can damage your ducts or heating and cooling system, mayhap increasing your heating and air conditioning costs or forcing you to undertake difficult and costly repairs or replacements.
You should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if:
There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (east.g., canvass metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling organization. At that place are several of import points to understand concerning mold detection in heating and cooling systems:
- Many sections of your heating and cooling system may not be attainable for a visible inspection, so enquire the service provider to show you whatsoever mold they say exists.
- Y'all should be aware that although a substance may await like mold, a positive determination of whether it is mold or not can be made simply past an proficient and may require laboratory analysis for concluding confirmation. For about $50, some microbiology laboratories can tell you whether a sample sent to them on a articulate strip of pasty household record is mold or but a substance that resembles information technology.
- If yous take insulated air ducts and the insulation gets moisture or moldy it cannot exist effectively cleaned and should be removed and replaced.
- If the weather condition causing the mold growth in the outset place are not corrected, mold growth will recur.
Ducts are infested with vermin, e.1000. (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.
Other Important Considerations
Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts or go down after cleaning. This is considering much of the dirt that may accumulate inside air ducts adheres to duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living infinite. It is important to keep in mind that dirty air ducts are only one of many possible sources of particles that are present in homes. Pollutants that enter the home both from outdoors and indoor activities such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or only moving around can cause greater exposure to contaminants than muddy air ducts. Moreover, there is no testify that a low-cal corporeality of household dust or other particulate affair in air ducts poses whatsoever risk to health.
EPA does non recommend that air ducts be cleaned except on an as-needed ground because of the continuing uncertainty most the benefits of duct cleaning under most circumstances. EPA does, however, recommend that if you take a fuel burning furnace, stove, or fireplace, they be inspected for proper operation and serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. Some research likewise suggests that cleaning dirty cooling coils, fans and heat exchangers can improve the efficiency of heating and cooling systems. Nonetheless, little evidence exists to indicate that just cleaning the duct system will increase your organization's efficiency.
If you recollect duct cleaning might be a good idea for your home, but yous are not sure, talk to a professional. The company that services your heating and cooling system may be a adept source of advice. You may also want to contact professional duct cleaning service providers and ask them virtually the services they provide. Remember, they are trying to sell yous a service, so ask questions and insist on complete and knowledgeable answers.
Suggestions for Choosing a Duct Cleaning Service Provider
To detect companies that provide duct cleaning services, check your Yellow Pages under "duct cleaning" or contact the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) at the address and phone number in the information section located at the stop of this guidance. Do not assume that all duct cleaning service providers are equally knowledgeable and responsible. Talk to at least three different service providers and get written estimates before deciding whether to have your ducts cleaned. When the service providers come to your home, ask them to show you the contagion that would justify having your ducts cleaned.
Practise not hire duct cleaners who make sweeping claims about the wellness benefits of duct cleaning — such claims are unsubstantiated. Do non hire duct cleaners who recommend duct cleaning as a routine part of your heating and cooling arrangement maintenance. You should also be wary of duct cleaners who claim to be certified by EPA. Note: EPA neither establishes duct cleaning standards nor certifies, endorses, or approves duct cleaning companies.
Do not allow the utilize of chemical biocides or chemical treatments unless you lot fully understand the pros and the cons (See "Unresolved Issues of Duct Cleaning).
Check references to exist sure other customers were satisfied and did not feel whatsoever problems with their heating and cooling arrangement afterwards cleaning.
Contact your county or city office of consumer affairs or local Amend Business Bureau to determine if complaints have been lodged confronting whatsoever of the companies y'all are because.
Interview potential service providers to ensure:
- they are experienced in duct cleaning and have worked on systems like yours;
- they will use procedures to protect you, your pets and your home from contagion; and
- they comply with NADCA's air duct cleaning standards and, if your ducts are constructed of cobweb glass duct board or insulated internally with fiber glass duct liner, with the Northward American Insulation Manufacturers Association'due south (NAIMA) recommendations.
Ask the service provider whether they concord whatever relevant country licenses. As of 1996, the post-obit states require air duct cleaners to concord special licenses: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Texas. Other states may require them likewise.
If the service provider charges by the hr, request an approximate of the number of hours or days the job will have, and find out whether there will be interruptions in the work. Brand sure the duct cleaner you choose will provide a written agreement outlining the full price and scope of the job before work begins.
What to Wait From an Air Duct Cleaning Service Provider
If yous choose to have your ducts cleaned, the service provider should:
Open access ports or doors to allow the entire organization to be cleaned and inspected.
Inspect the system before cleaning to exist sure that there are no asbestos-containing materials (e.one thousand., insulation, annals boots, etc.) in the heating and cooling system. Asbestos-containing materials crave specialized procedures and should not exist disturbed or removed except by specially trained and equipped contractors.
Use vacuum equipment that exhausts particles exterior of the home or use only high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) vacuuming equipment if the vacuum exhausts inside the dwelling.
Protect carpet and household furnishings during cleaning.
Use well-controlled brushing of duct surfaces in conjunction with contact vacuum cleaning to dislodge grit and other particles.
Use merely soft-bristled brushes for fiberglass duct board and canvass metal ducts internally lined with fiberglass. (Although flex duct tin as well be cleaned using soft-bristled brushes, it can exist more economical to only replace attainable flex duct.)
Take care to protect the duct work, including sealing and re-insulating any access holes the service provider may have made or used then they are airtight.
Follow NADCA'due south standards for air duct cleaning and NAIMA's recommended exercise for ducts containing fiber glass lining or constructed of cobweb glass duct board.
How to Determine if the Duct Cleaner Did A Thorough Job
A thorough visual inspection is the best way to verify the cleanliness of your heating and cooling system. Some service providers utilize remote photography to document conditions inside ducts. All portions of the system should be visibly make clean; yous should not exist able to detect any droppings with the naked centre. Show the Post-Cleaning Consumer Checklist to the service provider before the piece of work begins. After completing the task, ask the service provider to testify you each component of your system to verify that the job was performed satisfactorily.
If you answer "No" to whatsoever of the questions on the checklist, this may signal a problem with the job. Ask your service provider to correct any deficiencies until you tin answer "yes" to all the questions on the checklist.
| Post Cleaning Consumer Checklist | Yes | No | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | Did the service provider obtain access to and clean the unabridged heating and cooling system, including ductwork and all components (bleed pans, humidifiers, coils and fans)? | ||
| Has the service provider adequately demonstrated that duct work and plenums are clean? (Plenum is a space in which supply or return air is mixed or moves; tin exist duct, joist infinite, cranium and crawl spaces, or wall cavity.) | |||
| Heating | Is the estrus exchanger surface visibly clean? | ||
| Cooling Components | Are both sides of the cooling coil visibly make clean? | ||
| If you bespeak a flashlight into the cooling curlicue, does calorie-free smoothen through the other side? It should if the scroll is clean. | |||
| Are the coil fins directly and evenly spaced (equally opposed to being bent over and smashed together)? | |||
| Is the coil drain pan completely clean and draining properly? | |||
| Blower | Are the blower blades make clean and free of oil and droppings? | ||
| Is the blower compartment complimentary of visible grit or debris? | |||
| Plenums | Is the return air plenum free of visible dust or debris? | ||
| Exercise filters fit properly and are they the proper efficiency as recommended by HVAC system manufacturer? | |||
| Is the supply air plenum (directly downstream of the air treatment unit) free of moisture stains and contaminants? | |||
| Metallic Ducts | Are interior ductwork surfaces free of visible debris? (Select several sites at random in both the return and supply sides of the system.) | ||
| Fiber Glass | Is all cobweb glass material in adept condition (i.e., free of tears and abrasions; well adhered to underlying materials)? | ||
| Admission Doors | Are newly installed admission doors in canvass metallic ducts attached with more than just duct tape (e.g., screws, rivets, mastic, etc.)? | ||
| With the system running, is air leakage through access doors or covers very slight or non-existent? | |||
| Air Vents | Have all registers, grilles and diffusers been firmly reattached to the walls, floors and/or ceilings? | ||
| Are the registers, grilles and diffusers visibly clean? | |||
| Organization Operation | Does the system role properly in both the heating and cooling modes afterward cleaning? | ||
How to Forestall Duct Contagion
Whether or not you determine to take the air ducts in your home cleaned, committing to a skilful preventive maintenance programme is essential to minimize duct contagion.
To prevent dirt from entering the arrangement:
Apply the highest efficiency air filter recommended past the manufacturer of your heating and cooling organization.
Modify filters regularly.
If your filters become clogged, change them more often.
Be sure you practice not take whatever missing filters and that air cannot bypass filters through gaps effectually the filter holder.
When having your heating and cooling system maintained or checked for other reasons, be sure to inquire the service provider to clean cooling coils and drain pans.
During construction or renovation work that produces grit in your home, seal off supply and return registers and do not operate the heating and cooling system until after cleaning up the dust.
Remove dust and vacuum your home regularly. (Apply a high efficiency vacuum (HEPA) cleaner or the highest efficiency filter numberless your vacuum cleaner tin can accept. Vacuuming can increase the amount of dust in the air during and after vacuuming also equally in your ducts).
If your heating organisation includes in-duct humidification equipment, be sure to operate and maintain the humidifier strictly as recommended by the manufacturer.
Whether of not you decide to have the air ducts in your home cleaned, committing to a good preventive maintenance program is essential to minimize duct contamination.
To prevent ducts from becoming wet:
Moisture should not be present in ducts. Controlling moisture is the most constructive way to prevent biological growth in air ducts.
Wet can enter the duct organisation through leaks or if the organisation has been improperly installed or serviced. Research suggests that condensation (which occurs when a surface temperature is lower than the dew point temperature of the surrounding air) on or near cooling coils of ac units is a major factor in moisture contamination of the organisation. The presence of condensation or high relative humidity is an important indicator of the potential for mold growth on any type of duct. Controlling moisture can often be difficult, but here are some steps you lot tin can take:
Promptly and properly repair any leaks or water damage.
Pay particular attention to cooling coils, which are designed to remove water from the air and can exist a major source of moisture contagion of the system that can pb to mold growth. Brand sure the condensate pan drains properly. The presence of substantial standing water and/or debris indicates a problem requiring immediate attention. Check any insulation near cooling coils for wet spots.
Make sure ducts are properly sealed and insulated in all non-air-conditioned spaces (e.g., attics and crawl spaces). This will help to foreclose moisture due to condensation from entering the system and is of import to make the system piece of work every bit intended. To prevent water condensation, the heating and cooling organisation must be properly insulated.
If yous are replacing your air conditioning system, make sure that the unit is the proper size for your needs and that all ducts are sealed at the joints. A unit that is too big will wheel on and off frequently, resulting in poor moisture removal, peculiarly in areas with high humidity. Also make certain that your new arrangement is designed to manage condensation effectively.
Unresolved Issues of Duct Cleaning
Does duct cleaning prevent health bug?
The lesser line is: no one knows. There are examples of ducts that accept become badly contaminated with a diversity of materials that may pose risks to your wellness. The duct system can serve as a means to distribute these contaminants throughout a home. In these cases, duct cleaning may make sense. However, a light amount of household dust in your air ducts is normal. Duct cleaning is not considered to be a necessary part of yearly maintenance of your heating and cooling system, which consists of regular cleaning of drain pans and heating and cooling coils, regular filter changes and yearly inspections of heating equipment. Inquiry continues in an effort to evaluate the potential benefits of air duct cleaning.
In the meantime
Educate yourself about duct cleaning by contacting some or all of the sources of information listed at the stop of this publication and asking questions of potential service providers.
Are duct materials other than bare sail metal ducts more likely to exist contaminated with mold and other biological contaminants?
You may be familiar with air ducts that are constructed of sheet metal. Yet, many modern residential air duct systems are constructed of fiber glass duct board or sail metal ducts that are lined on the inside with fiber glass duct liner. Since the early on 1970's, a significant increment in the use of flexible duct, which generally is internally lined with plastic or some other type of material, has occurred.
The use of insulated duct material has increased due:
- to improved temperature control
- energy conservation
- reduced condensation
Internal insulation provides amend acoustical (noise) command. Flexible duct is very depression cost. These products are engineered specifically for use in ducts or as ducts themselves, and are tested in accord with standards established by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the National Burn Protection Association (NFPA). Many insulated duct systems have operated for years without supporting significant mold growth. Keeping them reasonably clean and dry is more often than not adequate. However, there is substantial debate nearly whether porous insulation materials (e.thou., fiber glass) are more than decumbent to microbial contamination than blank sheet metal ducts. If plenty dirt and wet are permitted to enter the duct arrangement, in that location may be no pregnant difference in the rate or extent of microbial growth in internally lined or blank canvass metal ducts. Even so, handling of mold contamination on blank sheet metal is much easier. Cleaning and treatment with an EPA-registered biocide are possible. In one case fiberglass duct liner is contaminated with mold, cleaning is not sufficient to prevent re-growth and there are no EPA-registered biocides for the treatment of porous duct materials. EPA, NADCA and NAIMA all recommend the replacement of wet or moldy fiber drinking glass duct material.
In the meantime
Experts practise concord that wet should not be present in ducts and if moisture and clay are present, the potential exists for biological contaminants to grow and be distributed throughout the home. Decision-making moisture is the most effective way to preclude biological growth in all types of air ducts.
Correct whatsoever h2o leaks or standing water.
Remove standing h2o under cooling coils of air handling units by making certain that drain pans slope toward the drain.
If humidifiers are used, they must exist properly maintained.
Air handling units should be constructed so that maintenance personnel take easy, direct admission to heat exchange components and drain pans for proper cleaning and maintenance.
Cobweb glass, or any other insulation material that is moisture or visibly moldy (or if an unacceptable olfactory property is present) should be removed and replaced by a qualified heating and cooling system contractor.
Steam cleaning and other methods involving moisture should not be used on whatever kind of duct work.
Should chemical biocides exist applied to the inside of air ducts?
Air duct cleaning service providers may tell you that they need to utilize a chemical biocide to the inside of your ducts to kill bacteria (germs) and fungi (mold), and forbid future biological growth. Some duct cleaning service providers may advise to introduce ozone to kill biological contaminants. Ozone is a highly reactive gas that is regulated in the outside air as a lung irritant. However, there remains considerable controversy over the necessity and wisdom of introducing chemical biocides or ozone into the duct work.
Among the possible problems with biocide and ozone awarding in air ducts:
- Picayune research has been conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of near biocides and ozone when used within ducts. Just spraying or otherwise introducing these materials into the operating duct organization may crusade much of the cloth to be transported through the system and released into other areas of your home.
- Some people may react negatively to the biocide or ozone, causing adverse wellness reactions.
Chemical biocides are regulated past EPA under Federal pesticide law. A product must be registered by EPA for a specific utilize earlier it tin can be legally used for that purpose. The specific use(s) must appear on the pesticide (e.yard., biocide) characterization, along with other important data. It is a violation of federal law to use a pesticide product in any mode inconsistent with the label directions.
A minor number of products are currently registered by EPA specifically for apply on the inside of bare sheet metal air ducts. A number of products are as well registered for employ as sanitizers on difficult surfaces, which could include the interior of bare sheet metal ducts. While many such products may exist used legally inside of unlined ducts if all label directions are followed, some of the directions on the label may be inappropriate for use in ducts. For example, if the directions indicate "rinse with h2o", the added wet could stimulate mold growth.
All of the products discussed above are registered solely for the purpose of sanitizing the smooth surfaces of unlined (bare) sail metal ducts. No products are currently registered as biocides for use on fiber glass duct lath or fiber glass lined ducts, so information technology is important to determine if sections of your system comprise these materials earlier permitting the awarding of whatever biocide.
In the concurrently
Before allowing a service provider to apply a chemical biocide in your duct piece of work, the service provider should:
Demonstrate visible prove of microbial growth in your duct work. Some service providers may attempt to convince you lot that your air ducts are contaminated by demonstrating that the microorganisms constitute in your home grow on a settling plate (i.e., petri dish). This is inappropriate. Some microorganisms are always nowadays in the air, and some growth on a settling plate is normal. As noted earlier, only an skillful can positively place a substance equally biological growth and lab assay may be required for terminal confirmation. Other testing methods are non reliable.
Explain why biological growth cannot exist removed by concrete ways, such every bit brushing, and further growth prevented by controlling wet.
If y'all make up one's mind to permit the use of a biocide, the service provider should:
Show you lot the biocide label, which will describe its range of approved uses.
Utilize the biocide only to un-insulated areas of the duct system after proper cleaning, if necessary to reduce the chances for re-growth of mold.
Ever utilise the product strictly according to its label instructions.
While some depression toxicity products may exist legally applied while occupants of the home are nowadays, you lot may wish to consider leaving the premises while the biocide is existence applied as an added precaution.
Do sealants foreclose the release of grit and dirt particles into the air?
Manufacturers of products marketed to coat and encapsulate duct surfaces claim that these sealants prevent dust and dirt particles inside air ducts from existence released into the air. As with biocides, a sealant is often practical by spraying information technology into the operating duct system. Laboratory tests point that materials introduced in this manner tend not to completely glaze the duct surface. Application of sealants may also affect the acoustical (noise) and fire retarding characteristics of cobweb glass lined or constructed ducts and may invalidate the manufacturer's warranty.
Questions near the safety, effectiveness and overall desirability of sealants remain. For example, little is known nigh the potential toxicity of these products under typical utilise conditions or in the event they catch burn.
In addition, sealants take yet to exist evaluated for their resistance to deterioration over time which could add particles to the duct air.
In the meantime
Most organizations concerned with duct cleaning, including EPA, NADCA, NAIMA and the Sheet Metal and Ac Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) practice not currently recommend the routine use of sealants to encapsulate contaminants in any type of duct. Instances when the utilise of sealants to encapsulate the duct surfaces may be appropriate include the repair of damaged fiber glass insulation or when combating fire harm within ducts. Sealants should never be used on wet duct liner, to cover actively growing mold, or to cover droppings in the ducts, and should only exist applied later on cleaning according to NADCA or other appropriate guidelines or standards.
To Learn More than About Indoor Air Quality
U.S. Environmental Protection Bureau
Role of Radiation and Indoor Air
Indoor Environments Segmentation (6609J)
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
The following EPA publications are bachelor on this web site, some tin can exist ordered from NSCEP. (see too: Publications and Resources)
- The Within Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality
- Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals
- Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home
- Ozone Generators that are Sold as Air Cleaners
To Larn More About Air Duct Cleaning
National Air Duct Cleaners Clan (NADCA)
1120 Route 73, Suite 200
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
Phone: (855) Get-NADCA • (856) 380-6810
Electronic mail: info@nadca.com
Website: NADCA
Detect a NADCA professional duct cleaner virtually you.
North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA)
44 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 310, Alexandria, VA 22314
Telephone: (703) 684-0084
Website: NAIMA
Website: NAIMA Fellow member Company Listing
"Cleaning Gristly Glass Insulated Air Duct Systems; Recommended Practice", NAIMA Pub. No. AH122, 40 pages (Cost is $7.50 for a printed version, no free copies available.)
Other Useful Resource
For a free list of land consumer protection offices:
Land Consumer Protection Offices
For more information on biocides:
Antimicrobial Information Hotline
Phone: (703) 308-0127 / Fax: (703) 308-6467
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST
E-mail: Info_Antimicrobial@epa.gov
Website: Regulating Antimicrobial Pesticides
The Antimicrobials Data Hotline provides answers to questions apropos current antimicrobial issues (disinfectants, fungicides, others) regulated by the pesticide constabulary, rules and regulations. These cover interpretation laws, rules and regulations, and registration and re-registration of antimicrobial chemicals and products. The Hotline besides provide information wellness & safety bug on registered antimicrobial products, product characterization and the proper and safe use of these antimicrobial products.
Consumer Checklist
Learn as much as possible about air duct cleaning earlier you decide to take your ducts cleaned by reading this guidance and contacting the sources of information provided.
Consider other possible sources of indoor air pollution commencement if y'all suspect an indoor air quality problem exists in your home.
Have your air ducts cleaned if they are visibly contaminated with substantial mold growth, pests or vermin, or are clogged with substantial deposits of grit or debris.
Ask the service provider to testify you whatever mold or other biological contagion they say exists. Get laboratory confirmation of mold growth or decide to rely on your own judgment and common sense in evaluating apparent mold growth.
Get estimates from at least iii service providers.
Check references.
Ask the service provider whether he/she holds whatever relevant state licenses. As of 1996, the following states require air duct cleaners to agree special licenses: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Texas. Other states may too require licenses.
Insist that the service provider give you knowledgeable and complete answers to your questions.
Discover out whether your ducts are fabricated of sheet metal, flex duct, or constructed of fiber glass duct board or lined with fiber glass since the methods of cleaning vary depending on duct type. Remember, a combination of these elements may be nowadays.
Permit the application of biocides in your ducts only if necessary to control mold growth and only after assuring yourself that the product volition exist applied strictly according to label directions. As a precaution, you and your pets should leave the bounds during application.
Do not permit the use of sealants except under unusual circumstances where other alternatives are not feasible.
Commit to a preventive maintenance program of yearly inspections of your heating and cooling organisation, regular filter changes, and steps to prevent moisture contagion.
Source: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/should-you-have-air-ducts-your-home-cleaned
Posted by: sebringsittand.blogspot.com
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