ALLERGIES? SNEEZING? LET US CLEAN YOUR DUCTS FOR YOU!
WE ARE LOCAL LICENSED & CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL AIR DUCT CLEANERS HERE TO HELP YOU BREATHE EASIER!
CALL 4 SEASONS AIR CARE AIR DUCT CLEANING today at (855) 512-2726 FOR A FREE QUOTE!
or visit us ONLINE at https://4seasonsaircare.com/contact/
1. What is an air duct?
Air ducts/ductwork is a component of a residential or commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) system. Air ducts are installed tubes that serve as pathways heated or cooled air uses to travel throughout a building (i.e.: home, business, warehouse, etc.). A building’s HVAC system creates interior comfort by compensating for climatic conditions. To be efficient, the system must
• have a sealed supply ductwork to ensure proper airflow,
• have a return system capable of providing adequate airflow through the air ducts,
• maintain proper airflow to the fan through sealed return ductwork,
• not permit air to enter the system from polluted zones,
• maintain neutral pressure through balanced airflows between supply and return systems, and
• have minimal duct air temperature gain or loss between the air handler and room registers and between return registers and the air handler.
Air ducts are essentially an air circulatory system, which is why it is important to properly clean and maintain them! Mold, or fungi, is a product of decaying matter. These invisible indoor spores pose a major risk when they become airborne and travel through ducts and out through vents and grilles. Inhaling fumes from contaminated duct areas results in asthma attacks, coughing, watery, itchy and red eyes, and running noses. Long-term exposure lowers your body’s immune system. Mildew spores act in the same manner, transported via HVAC ductwork. It is a surface fungus that must be eradicated before it damages surfaces (i.e.: upholstery, furnishings, etc.) and affects the indoor air quality.
Air duct cleaning is intended to remove dust and other particulates and contaminants that accumulate over time inside your ductwork. Periodic cleaning should eliminate dust, molds, and other contaminants from your HVAC system ductwork that contributes to colds, sinus and allergy infections, asthma, and other airborne maladies.
According to the EPA, cleaning forced air heating and cooling system components includes not only cleaning the supply and return air ducts and registers, but also “the grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers, heating and cooling coils, condensate drain/drip pans, fan motor and housing, and the air handling unit housing.”
2. The History of Air Ducts
Americans spend as much as 90% of their time indoors. More than 50 million of them suffer from allergies and asthma. The most common indoor environmental factors contributing to ages-old ailments, such as allergies and those most common to children and seniors, are from airborne:
• animal dander,
• dust and dust mites,
• mold and mildew spores, and,
• secondhand smoke.
The HVAC industry trend has been to design air distribution systems that provide increasingly cleaner air and more efficient air circulation. Indoor air has been found to be as much as 70-times more polluted than outdoor air. Consumers are increasingly aware how IAQ impacts allergies, respiratory viruses, and illnesses, as well as overall general health.
There is an increased public decision and choice to have healthier indoor air, whether it’s at home, office, or restaurant, in a car, train, or plane, or in any area where air is circulated throughout via a duct system. Pollutants in the duct system circulate to all areas of the building envelope, impacting all people and things within that confined space!
Once, smoking anywhere, anytime was tolerated. In recent decades, indoor areas have transitioned from free smoking areas to segregated smoking zones, to no-smoking premises. Due to more powerful air distribution systems, restrictions on how close to an entrance door one may stand and smoke have been implemented by various establishments and companies. Improved duct air return systems tend to suck the smoke indoors, rather than allowing it to dissipate into the outside atmosphere.
Legionnaires’ Disease is a building-related illness composed of a variety of circulated pollutants and contaminants from a variety of sources. Improperly operated or maintained HVAC duct systems contribute to circulating spores that cause this sick building syndrome (SBS). Historically numerous groups and individuals have been affected and hospitalized with critical respiratory illnesses. Convention centers, public indoor venues, hotels/motels, restaurants, office buildings, and other gathering places where there are masses of people subjected to larger HVAC systems with complex ductwork tend to be the most vulnerable.
Great efforts are made to properly maintain, and/or replace faulty system equipment and ductwork. Dangerous contaminants may be released into the air through grilles and vents connected to damaged, worn, leaking, poorly-maintained, or generally neglected air ducts.
3. Types Of Air Ducts
Rigid Ductwork
Durable rigid, bare sheet metal ductwork is commonly used in basements, where it will be exposed, or where rooftop ductwork is necessary. It resists pests and is less likely to collapse. It is also weather resistant.
Rigid ductwork is constructed from thin sheet metal that has been shaped, sealed, and insulated. Insulation value is typically R4, R6, or R8. The duct tube’s airflow surface is
smooth to enable maximum airflow. The joints are taped and sealed to prevent air leaks.
If you have any question about what ductwork would best support your equipment, ask an HVAC professional at 4 Seasons Air Care at (855) 512-2726 or visit us ONLINE at https://4seasonsaircare.com/contact/ .
Flex Ducts
Flex duct is the most cost-effective type of ductwork material. Flex ducts are sturdy, flexible, reinforced, coiled, metal-ribbed, plastic sheets of encased fiber insulation. The duct’s insulation is glass wool, which is encased in a protective polyethylene layer.
Flex duct is typically used to connect a supply air outlet (with metal bands or zip ties) to rigid ductwork. The joints are taped and sealed to prevent air leaks, although the pressure-loss is more than for other duct types. Installed lengths are kept short and turn minimized. A flexible jump duct, for example, may be as short as 3 LF, although a 6- or 8-foot length more effectively prevents light and noise from moving between a room and hallway.
The flex material Is specifically engineered for use in ducts or as ducts. It is typically UL (Underwriters Laboratories), ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials), and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) tested, approved, and rated. The flex duct’s insulation value is typically R4, R6, or R8. In accordance with Building Energy Code, residential flex must be a minimum R6. Commercial flex must be a minimum of R8.
Airflow efficiency is determined according to the duct’s dimension and internal damper positions. An inaccurate flex duct dimension can affect the noise level and airflow efficiency.
Insulated Duct Systems
Insulated duct systems are quieter, provide better acoustical/noise control, and are generally low maintenance. Many insulated ducts can operate for years without signs of mold growth. Keeping them clean and dry is generally adequate.
Porous fiberglass insulation materials are more prone to microbial/bacterial contamination than sheet metal air ducts. If dirt and moisture are permitted to build up within the insulated duct system, you will find there is no significant difference in the degree mold, mildew, and contaminant growth between insulated-internally lined or bare sheet metal ducts. Bare sheet metal ducts are easier to clean, however.
If the fiberglass duct liner is contaminated with mold and/or mildew, general cleaning will not guarantee the mold/mildew will not re-grow. There is no EPA-certified biocides that sufficiently treat porous duct materials. It is recommended the wet or moldy fiberglass duct material be replaced entirely.
If you have any question about what ductwork would best support your equipment, ask an HVAC professional at 4 Seasons Air Care at (855) 512-2726 or visit us ONLINE at https://4seasonsaircare.com/contact/ .
Return Air Jump Ducts
Many residential forced-air HVAC systems have flexible jump ducts installed. They may be just long enough to resolve airflow inefficiencies caused by highly-distributed, leak-plagued traditional air return methods, or as long as 6- or 8-feet. The system’s simplicity reduces the chance of air-leakage.
Jump ducts direct return airflow from rooms isolated by closed doors. They move air from the room to the hallway and, from there, to the central return air duct. Jump ducts are more efficient than using building cavities for return air.
Initial duct costs are competitive. Low-cost stamped-metal grilles installed on the ceiling allow air to pass through the jump duct more easily. Ceiling grilles connected through ductwork allow air to exit the room, through the jump duct, into the hallway, and onto the main return duct.
Fabric Ducts
Fabric ducts provide more even air distribution than conventional duct systems. They qualify as a “green” product when they are constructed from 50%+ recycled material. Fabric ducts require a certain amount of airflow and static pressure and may be constructed with vents/orifices. Fabric ducts are not intended for conveying air conditioner airflows.
Fabric ducts are constructed from porous (air permeable) or non-porous fabric. The application determines which type of fabric duct is more suitable. For example, if the installation requires an insulated metal duct, an air permeable fabric is recommended since an air permeable fabric duct does not typically create surface condensation.
Fabric ducts are available in designer colors or they may be silk screened. Their material composition makes them a healthier choice. Porous duct material also requires repels dust, pollutants, and contaminants, thus requiring less maintenance. They may also be treated with anti-microbial elements that inhibit mold and mildew, as well as a fire retardant.
4. When should you clean your air ducts?
Air duct cleaning removes dust and other contaminants that have accumulated over time in your heating/cooling air distribution system ducts. Contaminants, pollutants, and smoke get into the air that is circulated throughout your home via your HVAC system air ducts. Many of us forget about routine duct cleaning until we begin to notice colds, headaches, asthma or sinus attacks, or other maladies are becoming more frequent. The EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) recommends air ducts be cleaned on an “as-needed” basis. However, ductwork that is not readily visible, such as jump ducts located in ceilings or behind walls, is easy to forget and neglect.
Your home’s air ducts should be cleaned if:
1. Your ducts are excessively dusty or clogged with debris, and there is an increase in miniscule particles being released into your home through your grilles and supply registers;
2. You detect rodent droppings or insects in your ducts, or
3. You see mold or mildew growing inside sheet metal ducts or on the heating or cooling unit components.
But, be aware that,
• many duct sections may not be accessible to allow you or a professional to clearly see contaminants, dust, vermin droppings, etc.;
• even though a substance looks like ma old or mildew it may be something else. A licensed and certified air duct cleaning professional should be contacted to provide an expert evaluation of what kind of pollutants, contaminants, etc. exist in your air ducts and how they should be cleaned;
• wet or moldy insulated air ducts cannot effectively be cleaned. They should be removed and replaced, and
• if the initial conditions causing the mold or mildew growth are not corrected, the fungi will return.
Duct cleaning helps ensure the air circulated through your duct system is as clean as the rest of the air in your house.
Our 4 Seasons Air Care technicians are professionally trained and certified to evaluate and thoroughly clean your air ducts and carpets. We will provide a FREE QUOTE as well as general information about the type of contaminants, how to mitigate future dirty air problems, and the results poor quality indoor air has on your home and furnishings.
5. How often should you have your air ducts cleaned?
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends cleaning your residential air ducts every 3-5 years. How often you should clean your ducts partly depends on what part of the country you live in (i.e.: dusty, damp, etc.) and how often your HVAC system is used. In general, as much as 40 lbs. of dust is created annually just from daily activity. Since this air is circulated 5-7 times/day, dust and other air pollutants accumulate in your air duct, attaching themselves to air duct walls.
A little household dust or other particulate matter sitting in your air ducts does not create any significant health or fire risk. And, dusty return registers tend to pull air through the grate and into the living space. If you have no increased allergy or cold symptoms or see signs of fungi in your ducts, duct cleaning may not be immediately necessary. Air duct cleaners that claim they can provide “preventive maintenance/cleaning” should be avoided.
However, dirt and dust do accumulate inside the ducts and adhere to duct surfaces and linings making the dark and sometimes damp areas attractive to insects, rodents, and other pests that carry spores that can fester and become airborne and spread via the forced air through registers into living spaces.
Pollutants enter your home’s or office’s system from outside, as well as from smoke and other sources, such as cooking, cleaning, and general daily activity. A thorough duct cleaning done by a professional duct cleaner such as 4 Seasons Air Care removes cobwebs, pet and rodent hair, dander, and droppings, paper clips and pens, toys, and other foreign objects that might have fallen through registers and lodged inside the ducts.
You may also want to have your air ducts cleaned
• when you move into a new home (unless they’ve been cleaned prior),
• after a newly-constructed home is completed (to remove construction debris), or
• after a home remodel project is completed (to remove sawdust, insulation fibers, etc.).
Commercial duct cleaning can improve employee absenteeism and productivity. Circulated fresh air stimulates creativity and productivity. All building HVAC systems and ductwork are subject to bacteria, molds, dust, and contaminants that accumulate from mass people and activities, as well as toxins from cleaning products, equipment, drapery, and furniture.
Call 4 Seasons Air Care for air duct cleaning if:
• you notice you need to dust and sweep more than usual,
• your utility bills seem higher than usual,
• allergy symptoms suddenly appear during system airflow, or
• rooms seem to have little or no air flow coming from the grills or registers.
4 Seasons Air Care is your premier provider of local and affordable air duct cleaning. Our certified professional technicians thoroughly clean your air ducts, eliminating contaminants including dust, fungi, and bacteria. Call us for a FREE QUOTE at (855) 512-2726 or visit us ONLINE at https://4seasonsaircare.com.
6. How to Find the Best Air Duct Cleaning Companies
You can find a variety of professional air duct cleaners in the Yellow Pages or online, either through individual contractor websites or through a central contracting service, such as ones similar to “Angie’s List” or “Home Advisor.”
You should not assume all air duct-cleaning contractors are equally knowledgeable and professional, or that their technicians are certified, licensed, and bonded, regardless of past customer reviews. A quick BBB (Better Business Bureau) check can provide verification a contractor is accredited and credible.
You should obtain at least three free, no obligation, written quotes to compare and help ensure you are getting a qualified, reliable, and affordable duct cleaning contractor.
• A pre-inspection can determine the type and extent of the air duct cleaning they intend to perform. Do not hire an air duct contractor before they have shown you the contamination that justifies cleaning, or deep cleaning.
• Ensure the contractor is experienced in your type of air duct system cleaning.
• Verify the contractor has worked on your particular type of duct system.
• Confirm the contractor’s cleaning procedure will not harm you, your pets, or your home, and ALL components are cleaned as well as the air duct system.
Also be aware that,
• duct cleaning is NOT part of HVAC “routine maintenance,”
• the EPA DOES NOT establish air duct cleaning standards, or certify duct cleaning technicians, and
• chemical biocides and chem-treatments are NOT ROUTINELY used and must comply with NADCA air duct cleaning standards (i.e.: fiberglass duct board or fiberglass duct liner).
The company’s charge for its products and services are typically based on the services offered, the size of your duct system to be cleaned, its accessibility, and the level of contamination and amount of work needed.
4 Seasons Air Care is a local family owned and operated air duct and carpet cleaning company. Our CERTIFIED & PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS provide you with AFFORDABLE, QUALITY vent and air duct cleaning services. Our eco-friendly, organic, and green-clean solutions are designed to promote a healthy lifestyle as well as clean environment.
CALL us today at (855) 512-2726 FOR A FREE QUOTE! or visit us ONLINE at https://4seasonsaircare.com/.
7. Why is air duct cleaning important?
If your HVAC air duct system is not properly installed and maintained, dust particles, contaminants, pollen, and small particles that can pass and fall through registers can reduce airflow efficiency and benefit. There is the potential for microbiological growth such as molds, mildew, and bacterial spores in humid environments or when moisture is present. These contaminants may cause respiratory illnesses, allergic reactions, or other symptoms due to the distribution of them in the airflow throughout the living or workspaces.
All HVAC components in addition to the air duct system must be cleaned. Failure to clean components as well as the air ducts reduces the benefits of having the ducts cleaned. It also risks re-contaminating the entire system.
Methods and requirements for duct cleaning vary according to the type of air duct system. Micro cameras, similar to ones used to survey pipe interiors, may be used to see dust, dirt, debris, and blockages during pre-inspection estimates. They are often used for post-cleaning inspection to ensure all crevices have been cleaned.
• Insulated fiberglass duct board and duct liner may be cleaned using non-metallic bristles designed specifically for that purpose.
• Fabric air ducts may be vacuumed and/or washed using standard household appliances.
• Deep cleaning allows technicians access into smaller spaces so contaminants may be removed, the air space may be deodorized and sanitized, and microorganism disinfecting treatments (i.e.: for molds, mildew, etc.) may be applied.
Spin brushes are used to scour the interior duct surface, effectively getting into crevices, bends, and angles. Heavy-duty HEPA vacuums are used to suck up contaminant particles and objects the spin brush loosened.
8. The Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning
Routine air duct maintenance minimizes the indoor air pollution and improves the overall system performance and life. Having your air duct system inspected for debris and blockages every 3-5 years reduces the risk of costly repairs later. Fans don’t have to work as hard and wear out sooner, and heated and cooled air is distributed more evenly throughout the living or work space.
Clean air ducts also
• promote better duct system performance,
• conserve non-renewable energy sources,
• increase the air flow comfort,
• minimize fire risk,
• minimize contaminants that aggravate allergies and respiratory illnesses, fatigue, and infections, and
• minimize indoor as well as expelled (from the HVAC system) air pollutants.
Too often we do not get a call until after the duct system begins making noises no generates very little or no airflow at all! DON’T WAIT UNTIL ITS TOO LATE!
4 Seasons Air Care is your local and AFFORDABLE CERTIFIED AIR DUCT SPECIALISTS! Our licensed and insured technicians provide you with QUALITY vent and air duct cleaning.
Our ECO-FRIENDLY, ORGANIC, and GREEN CLEAN SOLUTIONS are designed to promote a healthy lifestyle as well as a clean environment.
CALL us today at (855) 512-2726 FOR A FREE QUOTE! or visit us ONLINE at https://4seasonsaircare.com/.
