What's Your Opinion on Duct Cleaning?

[paulsharvey]

Maybe it's more of an issue with floor grills? Don't think I've lived anywhere without cieling vents, and wall returns in a long time.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

It's good for the duct cleaning company!

 

[jeff9366]

That is kind of where I am at. I have owned this house for 9 years, but who knows what happened before then. In the middle of the summer there is a bit of a musty smell right when the a/c kicks on. Which leads me to believe we might have a bit of a mold problem in there. The cleaning is only $525 but if they find mold that treatment costs $900. But after all of the money I have just spent it is a drop in the bucket to have better quality air.

Yes

Our total rehab cost was $280,000 so $2,500 for duct cleaning by specialized HVAC firm hardly hurt.

 

[2manyrocks]

The strong fragrances added to things like laundry detergent might be more of an issue that goes unnoticed.

If you have fiberglas duct board, I'd be asking how they plan to clean it without causing the fibers to go everywhere.

 

[etpm]

Patch the hole with metal duct tape.

Regarding the metal duct tape, the stuff is remarkable. All the stuff I have seen is aluminum tape with what I think is acrylic adhesive. The adhesive is key, it seems to last forever. I have duct work that is about 18 years old and the aluminum tape is still sticking and the adhesive has not hardened or dried out. Regular "duct" tape is no good for ducts or any type of permanent installation.
Eric

 

[oosik]

I considered an electric furnace and duct work when we built here. Sure glad I went another way. We get it all here. Dust, volcanic ash, pollen and pet hair. I would estimate that duct work would have to be cleaned, at least, 2x annually. Filter changes - probably monthly.

In the past I had to dust all horizontal surfaces weekly. If not - then my duct work would become plugged.

What has really helped. Clean my shoes before coming into the house.

So, now - it's mostly loose pet hair. Allah - Brownie.

 

[FullMetalBucket]

Thought it was bs as well but had it done in a previous house that was about 25 years old. When I saw how much crap was in them I was shocked . Air quality was much better after. The air system I had used a metal reusable filter that I don’t think is as good as the element type based on how much crud it let through.

 

[CalG]

I have no ducts nor ducks in my house.

Wood heat, open stair wells.

Most of the dust is sloughed skin.

That is sort of creepy.

My suggestion...

Inspection, and if warranted, tie a string to a mouse and send it down the pipes to pull a line and a brush while running the circulator through the filter element..

As a kid, we had the furnace cleaner guy come to the house. The vacuum bag filled the entire drive way. We kids would run and jump against the air inflated fabric bag. Great fun!
but I was too young to know what was improved.

 

[MossRoad]

Pet dander accumulates at an amazing rate. If you own cats, and on a sunny day with the sun shining into your home, hit your couch cushions a few times. You'll see the dust fly. I always assumed it was just "dust" until our 17 year old only cat passed away. We decided to wait a few months until getting another cat. Well, something I noticed after a few months was that you could not longer hit the couch cushions and raise a cloud of dust in the sunlight. Apparently it was all cat dander and went away with our weekly vacuuming over the few months.

Eventually, we got two kittens, one for each of our children. Apparently kittens don't give off much dander either. It took well over a year for the "dust" to return. Even with regular vacuuming it doesn't go away.

Imagine what's in the ducts?

 

[kenmac]

If you use a filter, you shouldn't have any, or much crap in your duct work.
If your duct work is insulated on the inside, it's a bad idea to have them cleaned. I would just replace the duct work and have the ducts insulated on the outside . You are breathing more insulation fibers than you are the dust