Air Duct Cleaning Tips for Madison & Milwaukee WI Residents
Since conditions in homes vary, it is impossible to generalize about whether or not air duct cleaning for your home will be beneficial. We have summarized the key points below, however, please note that the EPA urges you to read this document in its entirety as it provides important information on the subject.
Does air duct cleaning improve health or reduce house dust?
Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts… there is no evidence that a light amount of household dust or other particulate matter in air ducts poses any risk to your health.
(EPA) United States Environmental Protection Agency
Does dust on my registers prove I need duct cleaning?
It is normal for the return registers (that pull the air in) to get dusty as air is pulled through the grate. This does not indicate that your air ducts are contaminated with heavy deposits of dust or debris; the registers can be easily vacuumed or removed and cleaned.
(EPA) United States Environmental Protection Agency
If dust is present in my air ducts, is it a possible fire hazard similar to the lint build-up in my dryer duct?
Unlike dryer duct cleaning, there is no potential fire hazard affiliated with the cleaning of the air ducts for your heating and conditioning system. Dust does not accumulate in air ducts as lint does inside your dryer duct. More importantly, any sub-micron particles that might get through your filter, will pass through the furnace so fast that there is not chance for accumulation or fire. Not so with a dryer. Dryer fires often occur, and many ignite inside the machine. Having a trained appliance professional clean both your dryer and dryer duct periodically is a smart safety practice for your home.
What if I seem to feel worse indoors more than outdoors?
If you or a family member is experiencing unusual or unexplained symptoms or illnesses that you think might be related to your home environment, you should discuss the situation with your doctor. You should review these helpful publications to get started on the best path.
Conclusion
1. We feel the EPA’s position on air duct cleaning is accurate. Because it has never been proven that air duct cleaning in Madison or Milwaukee WI or anywhere else can prevent health issues or reduce dust levels in homes, it is likely that when you clean the surfaces of the grates (dirty registers) in your home and change your filter when needed, you will likely see an equivalent improvement close to what you would see if you had your air ducts cleaned.
2. If, however, the thought of dust (seen or unseen) in your home, gives you insomnia, it’s probably worth it to spend the money and get the air ducts cleaned. Lack of sleep can definitely cause more problems than $600.00 to $1,400.00 air duct cleaning businesses charge for the full service. But do your research before calling anybody. You may be told you need to sanitize your ducts, among other things.
3. Do not neglect the periodic cleaning of your entire clothes dryer and dryer duct system. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), “the most likely items to ignite first in a dryer related fire, are clothing near the dryer, as well as dust, fiber, lint, etc. This can be any place that collects dust and lint, such as within the dryer chassis, on the lint screen, around the dryer or in the dryer duct that carries the lint from the dryer to the outside of the home.”
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