What You Should Know About Cleaning Your HVAC System
Allergens and contaminants in the home can cause a variety of unwanted health issues.
Symptoms of sneezing, runny nose and eyes, and coughing might be a sign that your home is overrun with these substances.
The NADCA has estimated that up to forty pounds of dust and allergens can accumulate within the average home each year.
Your heating and cooling system is responsible for removing hot air from your home in the summer and cool air in the winter.
Since it achieves this by circulating the air within your home, these same allergens and dust particles get re-circulated if your system is not clean.
This can cause tremendous problems for those suffering from even mild allergies.
Having contaminants in your HVAC system additionally causes the unit to work harder, costing you more money in the long run.
Also, the cleaner the unit, the less likely you are to have these allergens circulating throughout your home.
Whether you suffer from allergies or not, it's a good idea to have your system cleaned regularly by a professional.
If you don't know where to start when looking for someone competent, consider these tips for finding someone who can handle the job.
1) Find a licensed professional who is confident that they have the tools, knowledge, and experience to get the job done.
2) Locate several contractors who are willing to provide a free estimate for how much it will cost.
3) Ask friends and family members for references.
4) Ask the contractor what sort of vacuum device they use.
It will typically be either a truck mounted or portable unit.
The truck or trailer mounted units are usually more powerful.
Any device that is not attached to a collection device should at a minimum have a HEPA filter attached.
If you're wondering how often to have your HVAC system cleaned, it will depend on a number of factors.
You will need to ask the contractor how often they recommend, but bear in mind, more frequent cleanings will be necessary if you have the following in your household: - Smokers - Pets - Asthma and allergy sufferers - Recent remodeling - Water damage Consider having the system cleaned prior to moving into a new home as well.
A professional HVAC cleaning service should include the furnace and blower, the AC coils, air ducts, registers, and returns.
Partial cleanings are generally not sufficient to remove all allergens and debris.
If you get an estimate, ensure that the cost is all-inclusive.
Some companies might quote a price to clean just the furnace and then charge extra for the rest of the system.
According to the EPA, the average cost can run anywhere from $400-$1000 and depends on the size of the system, accessibility, degree of contamination, and the type of duct material present.
They also advise consumers to be aware of what they refer to as "blow and go" companies, which are usually nothing more than a representative showing up at your house with nothing more than a simple shopvac-style vacuum.
They usually charge a low rate but are unable get the job done due to insufficient equipment.
Symptoms of sneezing, runny nose and eyes, and coughing might be a sign that your home is overrun with these substances.
The NADCA has estimated that up to forty pounds of dust and allergens can accumulate within the average home each year.
Your heating and cooling system is responsible for removing hot air from your home in the summer and cool air in the winter.
Since it achieves this by circulating the air within your home, these same allergens and dust particles get re-circulated if your system is not clean.
This can cause tremendous problems for those suffering from even mild allergies.
Having contaminants in your HVAC system additionally causes the unit to work harder, costing you more money in the long run.
Also, the cleaner the unit, the less likely you are to have these allergens circulating throughout your home.
Whether you suffer from allergies or not, it's a good idea to have your system cleaned regularly by a professional.
If you don't know where to start when looking for someone competent, consider these tips for finding someone who can handle the job.
1) Find a licensed professional who is confident that they have the tools, knowledge, and experience to get the job done.
2) Locate several contractors who are willing to provide a free estimate for how much it will cost.
3) Ask friends and family members for references.
4) Ask the contractor what sort of vacuum device they use.
It will typically be either a truck mounted or portable unit.
The truck or trailer mounted units are usually more powerful.
Any device that is not attached to a collection device should at a minimum have a HEPA filter attached.
If you're wondering how often to have your HVAC system cleaned, it will depend on a number of factors.
You will need to ask the contractor how often they recommend, but bear in mind, more frequent cleanings will be necessary if you have the following in your household: - Smokers - Pets - Asthma and allergy sufferers - Recent remodeling - Water damage Consider having the system cleaned prior to moving into a new home as well.
A professional HVAC cleaning service should include the furnace and blower, the AC coils, air ducts, registers, and returns.
Partial cleanings are generally not sufficient to remove all allergens and debris.
If you get an estimate, ensure that the cost is all-inclusive.
Some companies might quote a price to clean just the furnace and then charge extra for the rest of the system.
According to the EPA, the average cost can run anywhere from $400-$1000 and depends on the size of the system, accessibility, degree of contamination, and the type of duct material present.
They also advise consumers to be aware of what they refer to as "blow and go" companies, which are usually nothing more than a representative showing up at your house with nothing more than a simple shopvac-style vacuum.
They usually charge a low rate but are unable get the job done due to insufficient equipment.