Areas with high winds, such as Florida, can present unique challenges when it comes to duct repair. While knowledge about cleaning air ducts is still in its early stages, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urges homeowners to read up on the subject before making any decisions. It's important to note that dirty air ducts are just one of many possible sources of particulate matter that are present in homes. Pollutants from both outdoor and indoor activities, such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or just moving, can cause greater exposure to pollutants than dirty air ducts.
Before cleaning, reconditioning, or replacing the ducts, the cause or causes must be corrected, or else the problem is likely to reappear. You may want to consider cleaning your air ducts simply because it seems logical that the air ducts will get dirty over time and should be cleaned from time to time. As long as cleaning is done properly, there is no evidence to suggest that such cleaning is harmful. The EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned routinely, but only when necessary.
If you decide to have your air ducts cleaned, take the same consumer precautions you would normally take when evaluating the competence and reliability of the service provider. Whether you decide to clean your home's air ducts or not, preventing water and dirt from entering the system is the most effective way to avoid contamination. If you decide to clean your heating and cooling system, it's important to make sure that the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so. In addition, the service provider may propose the application of chemical biocides, designed to remove microbiological contaminants, inside ducts and in other components of the system.
Some service providers may also suggest applying chemical treatments (sealants or other encapsulants) to encapsulate or cover the inner surfaces of air ducts and equipment housings because they believe they will control mold growth or prevent the release of dirt particles or fibers from the ducts. These practices have not yet been thoroughly investigated and you should be fully informed before deciding to allow the use of biocides or chemical treatments in your air ducts. On the other hand, if family members have unusual or unexplained symptoms or illnesses that you think might be related to your home environment, you should discuss the situation with your doctor. The EPA has published several publications for guidance on how to identify potential indoor air quality problems and ways to prevent or fix them. If you think duct cleaning might be a good idea for your home but you're not sure, talk to a professional. The company that services your heating and cooling system can be a good source of information. In conclusion, it's important for homeowners in areas with high winds like Florida to understand that while there is no conclusive evidence that particles in air ducts pose any health risk, it's still important to take precautions when considering cleaning them.
It's also important to make sure that any service provider you hire is qualified and competent in order to ensure a successful job.
