If you live in an older home or one with extensive construction, you may have air ducts that could benefit from some deodorizing and cleaning work. If you haven’t had your air ducts professionally cleaned and inspected in the last few years, it’s time to get on it—when left alone, dust and pet dander build up inside the ducts and can be difficult to remove. Read this guide to learn more about when to call in the professionals and what they can do to help clean your air ducts before installing new heating and cooling systems.
What is air duct deodorization?
Air duct deodorization is a process that eliminates odors from an indoor environment by cleaning or removing dirt, mold, grease, or other organic contaminants present in air ducts. Deodorization, also referred to as air purification or air filtration, is often used in conjunction with air duct cleaning Oakland.
When you Deodorize Your Air Ducts in Oakland
It’s easy to confuse air duct cleaning with deodorizing. Although you can technically have one without having the other, it’s not a good idea. The problem is that deodorizers only mask odors—they don’t clean or remove them. On the other hand, air duct cleaning in Michigan has proven to be much more effective at removing odor-causing particulates from air ducts than simply spraying down your vents with a scented aerosol. As a result, many homeowners make preventative maintenance part of their monthly routine by investing in regular air duct cleaning—and for a good reason.
Why you Deodorize Your Air Ducts
Most of us have experienced an overpowering smell in a movie theater or elevator. That’s unpleasant, but you can always get away from it if you need to. For many homeowners, though, these smells aren’t just brief occurrences—they permeate their entire home every day. This is not only unpleasant—it can be dangerous for your health. If your home doesn’t smell fresh and clean, it may be time to look into deodorizing your air ducts.
What Happens If You Don’t Keep Your Ducts Clean
If you don’t keep your air ducts clean, or if they become clogged, you could have some serious issues. One of these is an increase in allergy and asthma symptoms; when there are a lot of mold spores floating around, your risk for these conditions increases. Another issue is carbon monoxide emissions; if you don’t clean your ducts, more CO can leak into your home and put everyone at risk. Finally, dirty air ducts can shorten their lifespan, meaning they may need to be replaced sooner than expected. However, that increased cost will come right out of your wallet! The good news is that regular deodorization treatments with activated carbon ensure none of these things happen.
How Do They Clean My Air Ducts
An air duct cleaning service uses industrial vacuums to suck dust, dirt, bacteria, allergens. And other contaminants from your heating/cooling system. They do not touch or clean any surfaces in your home during a typical air duct cleaning; they are simply sucking air through your system and collecting debris. An air duct cleaning Oakland is typically only done once every five to seven years (depending on usage); a deodorization should be done every two to three months (depending on how many people live in your home).
The Different Kinds of Service Offered by Companies
Most companies offer two kinds of services for air duct cleaning Oakland. The first service is air duct sanitizing. The second service is deodorization. Both services are important to have done by licensed professionals, but there are instances when you need one service or another more than others. For example, if you plan on selling your home in a few months, then it may be wise to invest in sanitizing your air ducts—especially if you’ve had pets in your home for an extended period. This would help reduce odors that new homeowners may find unpleasant or unnecessary to deal with right away. Another instance where you might consider opting for sanitization would be if someone has been diagnosed with allergies or asthma and requires clean air throughout their living space.
Getting Rid of Bad Odors In Your HVAC System
To get rid of a bad odor, you must get rid of its source. If you have an odor in your HVAC system, it’s probably due to bacteria that has built up on your air conditioning filter or evaporator coil. Cleaning a filter will help reduce odors; however, it will likely return if your air ducts are not properly cared for. To reduce odors, we strongly recommend having your ductwork cleaned by a professional with specialized equipment every year.
How Often Should I Get My Heating/Cooling System Cleaned?
Just like dusting, vacuuming, or cleaning your home’s windowsills, regularly cleaning your heating/cooling system (air duct cleaning) is essential to keeping your air quality good. As mentioned above, all furnaces need to be properly maintained. Otherwise, they can put off excess humidity into your living space. Most local fire codes state that heating systems should be professionally cleaned every 1-2 years (depending on the type of system). But there’s no timetable for dehumidifier units. The best way to know if it’s time for a tune-up?
Who Does This Work Best For?
Deodorizing your air ducts is an important step in eliminating odors from your home, but it doesn’t work for everyone. If you have pets or live in a particularly humid climate, deodorizing won’t be enough. In that case, consider replacing your ductwork entirely with aluminum foil-lined ductwork. For most people, though, a good cleaning should do it. To get rid of bad smells from your air ducts, contact us today to schedule an appointment!
Costs of Air Duct Sanitizing
The average cost of air duct sanitizing, according to national averages, is $189. The national average for deodorization, however, is $93. Air duct sanitizing costs more because it involves more thorough cleaning. This includes a full-service air duct cleaning and additional work such as washing your heating and cooling coils, walls, and other components with disinfectants. This is especially important if you have allergies or a family member with respiratory issues like asthma or bronchitis since poor air quality can aggravate these conditions. Air duct sanitizing also helps prevent mold from growing in your home since it removes moisture that can lead to mold growth.
Getting Rid of Dust Mites in your AC Unit with Beneficial Nematodes
Dust mites are arachnids that live in bedding, carpeting, rugs, upholstered furniture, and other soft surfaces. Although dust mites can be found in a wide range of environments (both indoor and outdoor).They flourish most in warm places like your house or car. This is because they feed on dead skin cells (we humans shed nearly 1 million of these per day) to survive. In addition, the fecal matter left behind by dust mites can cause allergic reactions.
