Duct Cleaning

Most of us never think about what is in our air ducts, yet we should. Air ducts are a critical part of your homes heating and cooling system. Wojo’s offers complete duct cleaning.

We start with a video inspection which lets us inspect your duct system and diagnose problems within heat exchangers and other difficult to access components. Up-close video inspection allows us to accurately determine: debris levels; sources of airflow problems; and locate cracks or leaks.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 25 to 40 percent of the energy used for heating or cooling a home is wasted. Excess contaminants, and leaks in your air ducts contribute to your HVAC system working harder and shorten the life of your system. Although furnace filters help, your air ducts still gets dirty through normal use.

When an HVAC system is clean, it doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the temperature you desire. As a result, less energy is used, leading to improved cost-effectiveness.

A moderate amount of dust and dirt is normal in your air ducts. Much of the dirt and dust that accumulates in your ducts adheres to the duct surfaces and to the furnace and air conditioning components. This does not mean the dust and dirt will become airborne and enter your breathing space. However, over time, your air ducts can become contaminated and become a breeding ground for mold, bacteria, dust mites and other fungi that are sources of indoor air pollution.

Cleaning the air ducts in your home is an important step in keeping your family comfortable, extend the life of your system and save money.

An average six-room home, generates a great deal of contaminants and air pollutants, such as dander, dust, and chemicals. Modern homes are designed for greater energy efficiency, which means these contaminants remain indoors. Indoor air can be many times more polluted than the air right outside the window.

These contaminants are pulled into the HVAC system and re-circulated 5 to 7 times per day. Over time, this re-circulation causes a build-up of contaminants in your air ducts. Up to 40 pounds of contaminants is created annually through normal everyday living. According to WebMD, “Before turning on heat the first time, get ducts cleaned. Otherwise, you’ll get blasted with mold and other allergens.”

Duct cleaning alone has never been shown to prevent health problems; it is an important step in a whole-house air cleaning strategy. And while dirty air ducts doesn’t automatically mean you have unhealthy air in your home, an accumulation of debris may contribute to health issues or harbor contaminants that could cause problems for people with respiratory conditions, autoimmune disorders or environmental allergies. Plus, a buildup of dirt and debris makes your heating and cooling system work harder and shorten the life of your system.

We use specialized blowers, vacuums, and brushes to clean out the supply, intake, and return air ducts throughout your home. We also perform a thorough cleaning of the air handler, registers, grilles, fans, motors, housings, and coils of your HVAC system.

Yes, and no. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that you have your air ducts, heating and cooling systems inspected first by a professional heating and cooling contractor like Wojo’s. If, after this inspection, you discover that your air ducts have substantial visible mold, dust, dirt, and other contaminants (or a musty odor) we will probably recommend duct cleaning.

So should you have your ducts cleaned? You probably don’t need to have your ducts and HVAC system cleaned unless:

• Renovation: If your home has been remodeled – especially if there was asbestos abatement, lead paint removal, or significant dust – your ductwork may need to be cleaned. Ducts should be sealed off during home renovations; but if they weren’t, dangerous dust and debris may become lodged inside the ductwork.
• Animals: If there’s evidence of animal infestation or nesting in your ducts or HVAC system, have the animals removed then clean the ductwork and HVAC unit.
• Mold: If there is visible mold growth inside the ductwork, the ducts and HVAC system should be cleaned.
• Contaminants: If noticeable debris, pet hair, odors, or other contaminants are being released into the room through the ducts after the registers have been cleaned and vacuumed; then the ducts may need to be cleaned.
• Illness: If someone in your family is suffering from an unexplained allergy-related illness, and you’ve taken every other possible step to decontaminate your home, you may want to consider having your ducts cleaned.