Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems have been shown to collect a variety of contaminants such as mold, fungi, bacteria and very small particles of dust that have the potential to affect our overall health in various ways including allergy or asthma symptoms, fatigue, headaches, nausea, rashes, eye irritation, and other health problems.

The removal of these contaminants from the ductwork is considered one component in an overall plan to improve indoor air quality.

Frequency of cleaning depends on several factors, especially the preference of the homeowner.

Some of the things that may lead a homeowner to consider more frequent cleaning include:

• smokers in the household

• pets that shed high amounts of hair and dander

• water contamination or damage to the home or HVAC system

• residents with allergies or asthma who might benefit from a reduction in the amount of indoor air pollutants in the home’s HVAC system

• after home renovations or remodeling

• prior to occupancy of a new home

Research by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has demonstrated that duct cleaning may allow systems to run more efficiently by removing debris from sensitive mechanical components.

Clean, efficient HVAC systems are less likely to break down, have a longer life span and generally operate more effectively than dirty systems.

Duct cleaning takes anywhere between two hours to a full day (or more in a commercial setting).

A standard air duct cleaning would cover the HVAC unit, the main return, the vents in the room and air ducts themselves.

If the air ducts spread on more than one floor, they’d require more time to be properly cleaned.

There is just one thing you need to do before our specialists arrive: make sure we can get to every vent and return easily, and that we have good access around the HVAC.

When the vents are being cleaned, it will simply sound like a vacuum running in your home. It will not be overly loud and should not disrupt your daily routine.

When the vents are being cleaned, you can expect to have to turn off your heating or cooling unit.