Why Clean Your Air Ducts?

• Health (odors, allergies, asthma, immune disorders)
• EPA Warnings
• Sick Building Syndrome
• Business Lawsuits ($1 billion in medical costs)

Health

Would you be sorry to say goodbye to the insects, rodents, dust mites, bacteria, mold, pollen, animal dander and other debris trapped in your heating and air conditioning duct system? Our customers are always amazed to discover the massive amount of dust and debris that we remove from their HVAC systems. They are, also, always glad they made the decision to have their ducts cleaned.

Most of us have seen dust collect in inaccessible places in our homes. If you forget to vacuum under your bed for a few weeks you will find large accumulations of dust. Can you imagine what you'll find in a ventilation system that hasn't been cleaned in 5, 10 or 20 years?

In addition to being unpleasant, the dirt found in heating and air conditioning ductwork is often composed of insects, rodents, duct mites, animal hair and dander, pollen, dead skin, cigarette tar, asbestos, fungi and bacteria. These contaminants can aggravate allergies, asthma, sinus conditions and headaches in sensitive people.

In its 1997 booklet, "The Inside Story, A Guide to Indoor Air Quality," the EPA reports that "People with breathing problems, allergies and lung diseases are particularly susceptible to disease causing biological agents in the indoor air. Contaminated central air handling systems can become breeding grounds for mold, mildew and other sources of biological contamination and can distribute these contaminants through the building."

Although you will be guaranteed to find a massive accumulation of dirt in the ventilation systems in older homes, you will also find dust and debris in newly constructed homes. In older homes we find blanket like clumps of dust and dirt, while in newer homes we find wood particles, sawdust and other construction debris and garbage. We even find food, soda and beer cans, left by the workers in the ducts.

Many of our customers are allergy and asthma sufferers who were advised to have their ducts cleaned by their doctors. We receive positive feedback from a number of these customers, who say that the air seems lighter and cleaner since we cleaned their homes.

In addition to ridding your home of the hidden dirt in your ventilation system, cleaning your air ducts can save you money by increasing the efficiency of your heating and air conditioning system. It can also help prolong the life of your expensive HVAC components.

EPA Warnings

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ranks indoor air pollution as one of top five environmental threats to public health. Studies have shown that pollutant levels indoors are often 2-5 times higher than those found outdoors. Since people spend the majority of their time indoors, the home, school or workplace are locations where exposure to indoor contaminants is the highest concern.

Indoor air pollutants can increase the risk of illness. In the workplace and school increasing health problems will result in decreasing productivity and attendance.

Sick Building Syndrome

Sick Building Syndrome and Building Related Illness are terms used to describe the negative health effects and illnesses directly related to the time spent in a building. Lawsuits directed at building owners have become more frequent, as people realize that there is a relationship between poor indoor air quality and the illnesses it may cause.

Many contaminants that contribute to poor indoor air quality are found in the HVAC System. In an October 1997 report the EPA stated that if not properly maintained, air duct components may become contaminated with particles of dust or other debris. If moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth is increased and mold spores may be released in the indoor environment. Cleaning a dirty and improperly maintained HVAC System will Significantly improve indoor air quality.

Business Lawsuits

Indoor are quality (IAQ) litigation increases every year; and recent IAQ lawsuits have commanded hefty settlements. Businesses are faced with ever more stringent responsibilities in providing employees with a safe work environment.