In this blog entry, the professional Chicago air duct cleaning and Chicago dryer vent cleaning team here at EmDuct will describe the top reasons it’s important to get air duct sanitizing service for your ductwork.
What exactly is air duct sanitization??
Air duct sanitization is a special cleaning service that improves on standard air duct cleaning. Regular air duct cleaning rumiantes debris, particulate matter, and dust from air ducts. Air duct sanitization gets rid of microbial growth in ductwork, removing mold, bacteria, and mildew. It also reduces allergens. Air duct sanitizing involves the use of EPA-approved antimicrobial solutions that get rid of harmful germs and particles in ductwork while staying safe for your pets and family. Air duct sanitization helps make your indoor air safer to breathe.
What are the benefits of air duct sanitization?
- Indoor Air Quality Improvements – Air inside your home moes through your air ducts many times a day. While contaminants build up in ductwork, this degrades air quality over time. By sanitizing your air ducts, you can get rid of pollutants and germs, making your air cleaner and reducing the risks of symptoms for those with allergies and/or asthma.
- Mold and Mildew Reduction – Damp and dark air ducts create a good environment for mold growth. Mold spores moving in your air can cause a wide range of health problems from allergies and asthma to respiratory irritation. Through air duct sanitizing, you can get rid of mold spores at their source, preventing them from moving throughout your home.
- Increases HVAC Lifespan– Clean air duct systems improve airflow efficiency and make your entire HVAC unit operate with less strain. When your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard, pushing air through clogged up or dirty ductwork, it will operate with more efficiency, last longer, and lower the risk of expensive repairs or potential system replacement.
- Odor Reduction– Air ducts trap bad smells from cooking, pets, or smoking. Air duct sanitizing eliminates the particles that cause these odors directly at the source, leaving your property with much cleaner and fresher air.
How regularly should air ducts be sanitized?
Air duct sanitizing isn’t as necessary as regularly as standard air duct cleaning, but it should be performed regularly in a range of specific contexts. Sanitize air ducts when:
- You have pets, smokers, or small children in the house – every 2-3 years
- After you complete home renovations
- After you experience mold contamination
- After any water damage
- After any house fire
What are some common misconceptions about air duct sanitization service?
- Air duct sanitization is not necessary if you regularly clean your air ducts – FALSE. Air duct sanitization specifically targets germs like bacteria, mold, and allergens that can stay inside visibly clean air ducts.
- Air duct sanitization is dangerous – FALSE. Professional air duct sanitization utilizes safe and EPA-approved cleaning solutions that are safe for humans and animals.
- Air duct sanitization doesn’t make a difference in your home – FALSE. Homeowners report that clean smelling air and less allergy symptoms are a common result of air duct sanitizing service, especially when their home previously had a mold, mildew, or odor issue.