Madison Wisconsin Premier Air Duct Cleaning Service
EPA websit:
Most people are now aware that indoor air pollution is an issue of growing concern and increased visibility. Many companies are marketing products and services intended to improve the quality of your indoor air. You have probably seen an advertisement, received a coupon in the mail, or been approached directly by a company offering to clean your air ducts as a means of improving your home's indoor air quality. These services typically — but not always — range in cost from $450 to $1,000 per heating and cooling system, depending on:
the services offered
If you decide to have your heating and cooling system cleaned, it important to make sure the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so.
Duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing (See diagram).
If not properly installed, maintained and operated, these components may become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen or other debris. If moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth (e.g., mold) is increased and spores from such growth may be released into the home's living space. Some of these contaminants may cause allergic reactions or other symptoms in people if they are exposed to them. If you decide to have your heating and cooling system cleaned, it is important to make sure the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so. Failure to clean a component of a contaminated system can result in re-contamination of the entire system, thus negating any potential benefits. Methods of duct cleaning vary, although standards have been established by industry associations concerned with air duct cleaning. Typically, a service provider will use specialized tools to dislodge dirt and other debris in ducts, then vacuum them out with a high-powered vacuum cleaner.
In addition, the service provider may propose applying chemical biocides, designed to kill microbiological contaminants, to the inside of the duct work and to other system components. Some service providers may also suggest applying chemical treatments (sealants or other encapsulants) to encapsulate or cover the inside surfaces of the air ducts and equipment housings because they believe it will control mold growth or prevent the release of dirt particles or fibers from ducts. These practices have yet to be fully researched and you should be fully informed before deciding to permit the use of biocides or chemical treatments in your air ducts. They should only be applied, if at all, after the system has been properly cleaned of all visible dust or debris.
Note: Use of sealants to encapsulate the inside surfaces of ducts is a different practice than sealing duct air leaks. Sealing duct air leaks can help save energy on heating and cooling bills. For more information, see EPA's Energy Star website.
If you choose to have your ducts cleaned, the service provider should:
Open access ports or doors to allow the entire system to be cleaned and inspected.
Inspect the system before cleaning to be sure that there are no asbestos-containing materials (e.g., insulation, register boots, etc.) in the heating and cooling system. Asbestos-containing materials require specialized procedures and should not be disturbed or removed except by specially trained and equipped contractors.
Use vacuum equipment that exhausts particles outside of the home or use only high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) vacuuming equipment if the vacuum exhausts inside the home.
Protect carpet and household furnishings during cleaning.
Use well-controlled brushing of duct surfaces in conjunction with contact vacuum cleaning to dislodge dust and other particles.
Use only soft-bristled brushes for fiberglass duct board and sheet metal ducts internally lined with fiberglass. (Although flex duct can also be cleaned using soft-bristled brushes, it can be more economical to simply replace accessible flex duct.)
Take care to protect the duct work, including sealing and re-insulating any access holes the service provider may have made or used so they are airtight.
EPA website
How to Prevent Duct Contamination
Whether or not you decide to have the air ducts in your home cleaned, committing to a good preventive maintenance program is essential to minimize duct contamination.
To prevent dirt from entering the system:
Use the highest efficiency air filter recommended by the manufacturer of your heating and cooling system.
Change filters regularly.
If your filters become clogged, change them more frequently.
Be sure you do not have any missing filters and that air cannot bypass filters through gaps around the filter holder.
When having your heating and cooling system maintained or checked for other reasons, be sure to ask the service provider to clean cooling coils and drain pans.
During construction or renovation work that produces dust in your home, seal off supply and return registers and do not operate the heating and cooling system until after cleaning up the dust.
Remove dust and vacuum your home regularly. (Use a high efficiency vacuum (HEPA) cleaner or the highest efficiency filter bags your vacuum cleaner can take. Vacuuming can increase the amount of dust in the air during and after vacuuming as well as in your ducts).
If your heating system includes in-duct humidification equipment, be sure to operate and maintain the humidifier strictly as recommended by the manufacturer.
Whether of not you decide to have the air ducts in your home cleaned, committing to a good preventive maintenance program is essential to minimize duct contamination.
To prevent ducts from becoming wet:
Moisture should not be present in ducts. Controlling moisture is the most effective way to prevent biological growth in air ducts.
Moisture can enter the duct system through leaks or if the system has been improperly installed or serviced. Research suggests that condensation (which occurs when a surface temperature is lower than the dew point temperature of the surrounding air) on or near cooling coils of air conditioning units is a major factor in moisture contamination of the system. The presence of condensation or high relative humidity is an important indicator of the potential for mold growth on any type of duct. Controlling moisture can often be difficult, but here are some steps you can take:
Promptly and properly repair any leaks or water damage.
Pay particular attention to cooling coils, which are designed to remove water from the air and can be a major source of moisture contamination of the system that can lead to mold growth. Make sure the condensate pan drains properly. The presence of substantial standing water and/or debris indicates a problem requiring immediate attention. Check any insulation near cooling coils for wet spots.
Make sure ducts are properly sealed and insulated in all non-air-conditioned spaces (e.g., attics and crawl spaces). This will help to prevent moisture due to condensation from entering the system and is important to make the system work as intended. To prevent water condensation, the heating and cooling system must be properly insulated.
If you are replacing your air conditioning system, make sure that the unit is the proper size for your needs and that all ducts are sealed at the joints. A unit that is too big will cycle on and off frequently, resulting in poor moisture removal, particularly in areas with high humidity. Also make sure that your new system is designed to manage condensation effectively.
Air duct cleaning is a process that involves the removal of dust, debris, and other contaminants from the air ducts of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. This process helps to improve the indoor air quality, reduce energy costs, extend the life of the HVAC system, eliminate unpleasant odors, and reduce allergens. In this essay, we will discuss the various benefits of air duct cleaning in detail.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
The air ducts in an HVAC system play a critical role in the circulation of air throughout a building. Over time, these ducts can become clogged with dust, debris, and other contaminants, which can reduce the indoor air quality. This can have serious consequences for people with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions. By having the air ducts cleaned regularly, you can remove these contaminants and improve the indoor air quality of your home or office. This can lead to a healthier living or working environment, as well as increased productivity and comfort.
Reduced Energy Costs
When the air ducts in an HVAC system are clogged with dust and debris, the system has to work harder to circulate air. This can lead to increased energy costs, as the system has to use more energy to maintain the desired temperature. By having the air ducts cleaned, you can ensure that the HVAC system is running efficiently and reduce your energy bills. This can save you a significant amount of money in the long run, as well as help to reduce your carbon footprint.
Extended HVAC System Life
The HVAC system is a significant investment for any home or office. It is responsible for maintaining a comfortable living or working environment throughout the year. When the air ducts are clogged with dust and debris, the system has to work harder to circulate air, which can lead to increased wear and tear on the system. By having the air ducts cleaned regularly, you can extend the life of the HVAC system and avoid costly repairs or replacements in the future. This can save you a significant amount of money in the long run, as well as ensure that your system is running smoothly and efficiently.
Elimination of Unpleasant Odors
Over time, the air ducts in an HVAC system can become clogged with dust, debris, and other contaminants. This can lead to unpleasant odors in your home or office, as the air that is circulated through the system can pick up the smell of these contaminants. By having the air ducts cleaned regularly, you can eliminate these unpleasant odors and enjoy a fresh
clean air.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the quality of the air inside buildings, including homes, offices, schools, and other indoor environments. Poor IAQ can have negative impacts on human health, such as respiratory problems, allergies, and headaches. In this term paper, we will discuss the factors that affect IAQ, the health effects of poor IAQ, and the measures that can be taken to improve IAQ.
Factors affecting IAQ:
1. Poor ventilation: Inadequate ventilation can lead to the accumulation of pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter, which can have negative health effects.
2. Indoor pollutants: Sources of indoor pollutants include building materials, cleaning products, pesticides, and tobacco smoke. These pollutants can accumulate in indoor environments and contribute to poor IAQ.
3. Moisture: High levels of moisture can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can release spores and other allergens into the air.
4. Outdoor pollutants: Outdoor pollutants, such as vehicle exhaust, can enter indoor environments through ventilation systems or open windows.
Health effects of poor IAQ:
1. Respiratory problems: Exposure to indoor pollutants has been linked to respiratory problems, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
2. Allergies: Indoor pollutants can exacerbate allergies and cause symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.
3. Headaches: Poor IAQ can also cause headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
4. Long-term health effects: Exposure to certain indoor pollutants, such as radon, can increase the risk of long-term health effects, such as lung cancer.
Measures to improve IAQ:
1. Proper ventilation: Proper ventilation can help to reduce the concentration of indoor pollutants, and maintain healthy levels of carbon dioxide and humidity.
2. Source control: Identifying and eliminating sources of indoor pollutants, such as using non-toxic cleaning products, can help to reduce their concentration in indoor environments.
3. Air purification: Air purification systems, such as air filters and air purifiers, can help to remove pollutants from indoor air.
4. Humidity control: Maintaining healthy levels of humidity can help to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
5. Regular cleaning and maintenance: Regular cleaning and maintenance of HVAC systems, including air ducts and filters, can help to prevent the accumulation of pollutants in indoor environments.
In conclusion, indoor air quality is an important factor in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Welcome! Thank You for choosing Madison’s Premier Air Duct Cleaning Service. My name is Nick. Please feel free to text or call me directly. My direct line is
(608)906-1008.
Thanks again and I hope to talk to you soon!