Air Duct Cleaning

Your home’s air ducts connect to your HVAC system, essentially carrying all air in your Birmingham, AL, home to and from your lungs back to the HVAC system. Air ducts are the paths traveled by the air, meaning it’s optimum for the traveling air to be as clean as possible, as the air can pick up any particles or debris in the ducts and carry it straight to you. Having clear air ducts can contribute to good indoor air quality (IAQ), which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states is a prime concern in relation to pollutants these days. The professionals at Western Sales and Services are here to clean your home’s ducts, so contact us with any questions you may have.

When to Have Your Ducts Cleaned

The EPA prompts homeowners to consider having their air ducts cleaned if:

• There’s substantial mold visible on the hard surfaces of your ducts (inside and/or outside) and HVAC system.
• Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust, debris, or particles, such as a result of a remodeling job.
• Ducts are infested with rodents or insects.

In addition to these circumstances, if someone residing in your home suffers from allergies, asthma, or chronic illnesses, if there are pets in your home, if someone smokes, if there’s been water contamination in your home, or if there has been a remodeling or home-renovation project, having your ducts cleaned may help improve your home’s IAQ, thereby helping anyone with these issues. The rule of thumb from the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA)––which is the leading nonprofit association of companies engaged in the cleaning of HVAC systems––is “if your air ducts look dirty, they probably are.” Although there’s no scientific data that air duct cleaning improves IAQ, the EPA does recommend having your air ducts cleaned if you fall under any of the reasons cited above. And many people who do have their ducts cleaned swear by the difference, especially those suffering from allergies.

What’s Involved in Air Duct Cleaning

Your air ducts are part of a larger system, and, according to the NADCA’s cleaning standards which all duct cleaners should follow, the entire HVAC system should be cleaned during the process. Elements cleaned should include the air ducts, coils, drain pan, blower motor and assembly, heat exchanger, registers, grills, and air filter. There are two parts to the cleaning: breaking the contaminants loose and then collecting the contaminants. The air duct professionals will use brushes and the like to break any particles and debris free of the system and will then sweep in with their hoses and suction to follow up. Feel free to ask your cleaner if you can take a look before and after the job, and you’ll be amazed by the difference.

Having your air ducts professionally cleaned can give you peace of mind, cleaner air to breathe, and help your HVAC system work more efficiently by removing the dust and debris that builds up in your home’s duct work. Call Western Sales and Services at 205-787-8674 today to discuss how our professionals can help you and your home.