Indoor Air Quality Overview | Duct Cleaning

Duct Inspection, Cleaning & Sealing!!!!!

Our Customer asks us all the time, “Should I have my ductwork cleaned?”

Now, Country Comfort Heating & Cooling can inspect the inside of the ductwork with a video probe that only requires a very small opening. This allows us to “Take a look inside without cutting a big hole in the ductwork”

Duct Sealing

Beyond the health and environmental benefits of living in a green home, many local and state governments, utility companies and other entities across the country offer rebates, tax breaks and other incentives for adding eco-friendly elements to your life. Properly sealing ductwork results in several benefits. It improves comfort by increasing the rate at which air is delivered to a space; it can prevent safety problems caused by carbon monoxide gas leaking from water and space heating equipment; and it improves indoor air quality by reducing the infiltration of dust, humidity, and outdoor fumes and odors. It also saves energy. The most cost-effective time to seal ducts is when an HVAC system is first installed in new construction, because the ducts are easily accessed. However, ductwork can also be sealed in existing buildings.

HVAC efficiency studies show that anywhere from 10% - 30% of cool and heated air is completely wasted due to ductwork leakage, so whether you’re a business owner, contractor or homeowner, making sure that your HVAC system is functioning at its best is extremely important. Every bit of air that escapes your space is literally money wasted and many utility companies now offer rebates for the sealing up ductwork for residential properties and even have special incentives for small businesses. Check with your local utility company for more information as to the specifics of these incentives and availability.

Improperly sealed ductwork can have a direct affect on your health. Not only is duct leakage an enormous waste of energy, but it also allows for unconditioned, dirty air to be pulled back in causing a whole host of problems you might have never thought of. Aside from hindering your HVAC systems ability to heat and cool, this air can introduce dangerous dusts, molds, microbes and even radon gas into your space. This is such case that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency attributes ductwork leakage as a measurable contributor to lung cancer and respiratory illnesses.

Did you also know that sealing up your ductwork can actually help the environment? A lot of the energy we use in our homes comes from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain and global warming. In short, the less energy we use to condition our homes, the less air pollution we generate, so by sealing up your ductwork and reducing the amount of energy necessary to comfortably heat or cool your space, you can directly fight global warming and reduce air pollution. It’s a win-win situation since you save money AND help the environment.

Cleaning the Dirty Ducts

Over time, the duct system in your home may become contaminated with particles of debris, dust and pollen. In addition, the potential for microbiological growth is increased when moisture is present. These contaminants in the duct can be distributed throughout the home, and may cause reactions or other symptoms when exposure occurs.

The EPA recommends that you have your duct system cleaned if it is dirty. You should consider having the ducts cleaned if there is visible mold growth inside the surface, ducts are infested with vermin (rodents or insects) or if your ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust, debris and particles that can be released into the home.

Various types of duct cleaning machines and technologies are in use by heating & cooling contractors and other service professionals. The entire system, including ducts, plenums, registers, the blower, and the indoor coil should be cleaned during the process. Special chemicals are sometimes used to treat biological growth. In addition, some duct service professionals offer a sealing process, which makes the duct system less prone to contamination, while also eliminating energy-wasting leaks.

Biological contaminants include molds, mildew, bacteria, viruses, animal dander, dust mites, pollen, plant debris, and insect waste. These pollutants can cause allergic, toxigenic and even pathogenic reactions, depending on the cause, its concentration, the amount of exposure, and the susceptibility of the occupants.

Adverse health effects from exposure to this funk can be irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, shortness of breath, dizziness, lethargy, digestive problems and fever. Standing water, wet surfaces, and water-damaged material in dark spaces serve as ideal breeding grounds for many of these contaminants, especially in the warm confines of a typical home.

Call Country Comfort for a quote on cleaning & sealing your ductwork Email us today…

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