Replies

1. 
   MissD | Oct 27, 2008 05:58am | #1

   Our small townhouse was built in '83.  HVAC inside and out replaced in '98 and have had the same company service it semi-annually.  About 5 years ago we asked if the ductwork should be cleaned and the response was they were afraid in case they had an accident causing small air holes.  We didn't pursue it further.

2. 
   jagtech | Oct 27, 2008 07:19am | #2

   Duct cleaning is definitely a good idea, especially if you or anyone in the house has allergies.  Had mine done first time by a scam artist, he showed up with a rusty pickup truck and a shop vac, didn't do much of a job.  The second guy arrived with a huge blower / vac truck, pressurized the furnace and vacuumed out the ducts.  Did a great job, cost was about $200.

   Its a good idea too, if you've been renovating, as it gets all that drywall dust out of the system.

3. 
   RobWes | Oct 27, 2008 03:26pm | #3

   Money well spent if you get a real duct cleaner.

4. 
   mrfixitusa | Oct 27, 2008 03:28pm | #4

   Here in Wichita I see that "Sears" provides duct cleaning for $149

5. 
   Dave45 | Oct 27, 2008 04:07pm | #5

   If you have the flexible duct that's typical around here (Bay Area, CA), be careful. That stuff gets pretty fragile with age and the joints can come apart from a hard look - let alone a cleaning process. Don't be surprised if some of the joints need repair after the cleaning is done.

   A little off-topic, but I've heard that permits for HVAC replacements in San Jose now require inspection, testing, and repair of the ductwork.

6. 
   BillHartmann | Oct 27, 2008 08:09pm | #6

   http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html

   "Summary

   Knowledge about air duct cleaning is in its early stages, so a blanket recommendation cannot be offered as to whether you should have your air ducts in your home cleaned. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urges you to read this document in it entirety as it provides important information on the subject.

   Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts. This is because much of the dirt in air ducts adheres to duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living space. It is important to keep in mind that dirty air ducts are only one of many possible sources of particles that are present in homes. Pollutants that enter the home both from outdoors and indoor activities such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or just moving around can cause greater exposure to contaminants than dirty air ducts. Moreover, there is no evidence that a light amount of household dust or other particulate mater in air ducts poses any risk to your health.

   You should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if:
   bullet There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system. There are several important points to understand concerning mold detection in heating and cooling systems:

   * Many sections of your heating and cooling system may not be accessible for a visible inspection, so ask the service provider to show you any mold they say exists.
   * You should be aware that although a substance may look like mold, a positive determination of whether it is mold or not can be made only by an expert and may require laboratory analysis for final confirmation. For about $50, some microbiology laboratories can tell you whether a sample sent to them on a clear strip of sticky household tape is mold or simply a substance that resembles it.
   * If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy it cannot be effectively cleaned and should be removed and replaced.
   * If the conditions causing the mold growth in the first place are not corrected, mold growth will recur.

   bullet Ducts are infested with vermin, e.g. (rodents or insects); or

   bullet Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.

   If any of the conditions identified above exists, it usually suggests one or more underlying causes. Prior to any cleaning, retrofitting, or replacing of your ducts, the cause or causes must be corrected or else the problem will likely recur.
   "

   This is just from the summary, lots more details.

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   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.