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Coming Clean About Duct Cleaning:
Jon Ellowitz | July 2, 2009
Our everyday comfort often relies on the durability and functionality of a vast network of ducts that run in the walls, in the ceiling, and even below us through the floor. The vents you see in your home or office are the exits of ducts that bring cool air from an air conditioning system, or warm air from a heating system. In order to function properly, these ducts need to be clean and free of any obstructions. But dust particles and pollen are floating through the air, and through the atmosphere just outside your home or office. Lint, dirt, dander, and pollen ultimately find their way into the ducts. They build up to form formidable obstructions. These blockages make the passageway smaller, and therefore constrict the amount of air that can freely flow through the system. There is a number of negative consequences resulting from this problem.
 A vacuum is often used to clean larger ducts.
When the ducts are blocked, the system has to try harder to push the same amount of air through. This means that it is actually expending more energy to do less. A parallel in the medical world would be a clogged artery: a tube conveying liquid — in the case of ducts, it’s gas—is obstructed, often with dire effects. The results here are a larger energy bill because of clogged filters and longer run times, a possibly unpleasant work or living environment, and the additional hurt of miserly employees.
Obstructed duct systems can contribute to what’s called “sick building syndrome.” The cold air in the ducts can cause the built-up debris to become moist. If the wet debris sits unattended for extended periods of time, mold will begin to grow inside the duct system. Consequently, the mold produces spores that flow with the air through the duct, and the air brings those allergens out into your environment. “Sick building syndrome” exacerbates the allergies of inhabitants or employees. And for those who do not suffer particularly from allergies, the air from these ducts is still unhealthy, because it contains dust, lint, dander, and mold.
There are two ways to clean ducts that suffer from obstructed passageways. Either a brush or a vacuum is used—but these are not ordinary brushes or vacuums, and they take a professional to operate. Whether a brush or vacuum is used depends on the size of the duct.
For smaller ducts in which a person could not entirely fit, a professional uses a special brush. These are circular for circular ducts, and more rectangular for square or rectangular ducts. The brush is attached to a long, flexible rod, much like the tool a plumber uses to unclog a drain. Then the professional typically uses a vacuum to collect the loosened debris.
For larger ducts, big enough to fit an entire person, a professional actually climbs into the duct. He or she uses a vacuum — often with a sweeping attachment — to clean up the debris and reopen the passageway. This professional travels the length of the problematic section of the duct vacuuming foreign materials. This method is sure to restore your heating or cooling system to optimal performance levels. You’ll no longer pay for your system to be malfunctioning. All of a building’s systems need periodic attention and clean-up. Your duct system is no exception.
Business owners, building owners, and homeowners: You may want to consider periodic duct-cleaning. Especially if you own or operate older buildings with older duct systems.
A key element to the duct-cleaning process is planning ahead. Even if you’re unsure whether your duct system suffers from an obstruction, it is wise, prudent, and fiscally responsible to hire a professional to clean out your system. And if no cleaning is needed, the professional may offer valuable consultation in terms of how often you should consider cleaning your ducts. This practice is as much preventative as it is responsive. When you have an obstructed duct system, you want to clean it up. But you also want to avoid that obstruction in the first place. Additionally, be sure to sufficiently research the cleaning service provider you choose. The EPA warns that even a professional may fail to properly follow duct-cleaning procedures. This could actually cause indoor air problems. If not handled correctly, a vacuum could release more dirt and debris than it cleans up. Or a service provider could accidentally damage your duct system, which would increase your service costs.
Clear duct systems provide better air quality, a precaution against fire hazards, and are very cost-efficient because it takes less money to run a clean system than to run a dirty one. But you must be sure of your service provider.
Be proactive, avoid health hazards, and especially benefit your finances. Clean those ducts! And remember to make sure you change your filters on a regular basis, too.
April 01, 2009 by "stay safe ~ concord carpenter"
DRYER DUCT & VENT SAFETY
Dryer vents should be cleaned in order to increase the airflow through your dryer.
By cleaning your dryer vent regularly, you increase airflow efficiency, decrease cost of dryer operation, reduce the amount of time required for clothes drying and prevent plug ups which cause problems.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that over 15,000 dryer-related fires occur each year, causing an estimated $ 97 million in property loss.
Clothing lint builds up inside the dryer vent, on the heating element and in other places in the dryer, reducing airflow, cause it to run hotter, overheat, waste energy and very possibly catch on fire.
Clogged dryer vents cause your dryer to work harder and greatly increase the time it takes to dry your clothes [up to 2 or 3 times more] which wastes energy and increases your operating / energy costs!
Signs that your dryer may have a duct blockage or other issue is:
- It takes a long time to dry your clothing.
- Clothing is hotter than usual at the end of the drying cycle.
- The vent flap on outside vent hood does not open when dryer is on.
- The dryer shuts off early, before the timer ends its drying cycle.
Here are a few tips to increase efficiently of your dryer, and reduce the chance of fire:
INSIDE THE DRYER:
Empty the lint screen each time you use the dryer.
Use a vacuum with a nozzle attachment to clean in the lint trap and any place it will reach.
Every three years, have the dryer taken apart and thoroughly cleaned by a professional.
OUTSIDE THE DRYER:
Keep dryer ducts as short and as straight as possible. [Check your dryers manufacturers specifications for duct lengths and follow them]
Check the outside exhaust vent to make sure dryer exhaust air is escaping, visually inspect that the exterior vent flap is opening and there are no clogs.
Disconnect, clean and inspect your dryer duct run on a regular basis.
Check for kinks in the duct, crushed sections, excessive amounts of elbows or long duct runs; all of which, which can greatly reduce the airflow. The less turns or bends in the duct the more efficient.
Avoid pushing the dryer tight to the back wall to avoid crushing the duct. Consider installing a dryer box. A Dryerbox safely and efficiently collects the flex transition hose, allowing the dryer to be installed flush against the wall.
Special to the Times Posted: 03/05/2009 12:00:00 AM MST
EL PASO -- One of the most overlooked steps in the final stages of a remodeling project is a thorough cleaning of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning duct systems.
An HVAC air duct system should normally be inspected every year and cleaned when it is visibly dirty, which is about every three to five years, depending on maintenance.
Remodeling projects often create a lot of dust and debris, which can be pulled into the HVAC system, where it will contaminate the inside surfaces of the duct.
It is a good idea to inspect the air ducts before you start remodeling. Chances are that the air duct systems have not been cleaned since they were built. Many times original construction debris, such as sheet rock, molding or ceiling and wall texture over spray, is still in the duct 20 years later.
All HVAC duct systems have been shown to act as a collection point for a variety of contaminants, which have the potential to affect health. The removal of such contaminants from the air duct system should be considered as one component in an overall plan to improve indoor air quality.
Frequency of Air Duct Cleaning Services
Posted by Todd Ellebruch on Thu, Jan 22, 2009 @ 07:44 AM
As one of the most important systems in the home or office building, the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is also the central point for the collection of a variety of contaminants, which can affect the occupant's health. One important aspect considered in improving indoor air quality, is the removal of pollutants such as mold, fungi, hair, pollen, and bacteria.
While there is no set timeframe on when to have air ducts cleaned, several factors must be taken into consideration not the least of which is the preference of the homeowner or building superintendent. Some of the more frequent factors include:
- Smokers in the home or building.
- Pets/animals, which shed high amounts of hair and dander.
- Water contamination, or damage to the home/building or ventilation system.
- Occupants with allergies or asthma who might benefit from a reduction in the amount of indoor air pollutants in the HVAC system.
- After home/building renovations or remolding.
- Prior to occupancy of a new home or building.
Depending on the size of the home or building, the number of systems, the extent of the contamination, and how many persons are conducting the cleaning determines the amount of time it will take to clean the HVAC system. The most beneficial way to ensure the cleaning was effective is through a visual inspection. If any dust or debris can be seen, then the system should not be considered cleaned.
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