Healthy Indoors Magazine
Issue link: https://hi.iaq.net/i/475354
Healthy Indoors 41 T his article is about DUCT cleaning, not duck cleaning! OK, I just couldn't resist the graphic puns, but after over 27 years of being involved in the HVAC hygiene industry, I think it's fitting. So, just what IS duct cleaning, and why should you be con- sidering it as part of a proactive mainte- nance program for your home or commer- cial space? "Duct Clean- ing" refers to the cleaning of heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems, includ- ing their associated air ducts and components. HVAC systems that sup- ply air to occupant spaces generally incorpo- rate some form of filtration to remove varying degrees of airborne debris and contaminants from the delivered air. If It Has Filters, Why Do You Need to Clean It? Here's the thing about many of the filters being used on many of the systems out there: They're not very good. If you can hold a clean filter up and look right through it (like with a typical 1" hardware store fiberglass variety shown on the previous page), it isn't stopping most of the fine particles you're likely concerned about breath- ing in. In most cases, some debris will even- tually accumulate within your HVAC systems, filters or not. Most systems have their filtration located near the blower fan in the air handling unit, although some smaller residential systems have a filter located over a central return air grill instead. In any case, debris builds up over time. The dust and debris that gets drawn into HVAC ductwork and the air handling unit itself is compounded by moisture (both moisture that's drawn in from the ambient environment and what is undesirably carried-over from any AC cooling coils and drain pans), as well as a de- terioration of internal insulation, gasketing, and metal components. The presence of cor- rosive chemicals, biological contami- nants or other adverse environ- mental conditions can further serve to affect the hygiene of a building's HVAC system(s) and contribute to degraded indoor air quality (IAQ). The bottom line is: For an assortment of rea- sons, HVAC systems become contaminated over time, leading to poten- tially compromised IAQ and increased energy consumption. That said, duct cleaning represents only one piece of the indoor environ- mental managementpuzzle. The Solution to Indoor Air Pollution? Before he took to speaking to empty chairs, Clint Eastwood nailed it with his quote in the movie Magnum Force back in the 1970s when he said, "A man's got to know his limitations..." An industry's got to know its limitations, too. Air duct cleaning will not solve all the IAQ problems in a building, despite the claims from some practitioners. It's only one piece in the puzzle... perhaps an important one, but none-the-less, just a piece. I see this card played all the time in both the commercial and residential markets by duct cleaning service providers that are over-selling their service. Responsible, knowl- edgeable firms don't make excessive benefits claims, period. Run Away--Part 1 While I'm on that rant, if I see one more resi- dential duct cleaning promotional piece with a picture of a dust mite in it, I'm going to lose it... seriously. It's like another bad Kevin Bacon movie, only with the tremors in your HVAC and wallet. Cleaning your ductwork doesn't rid your Air Duct Cleaning Continued