Are You Falling For One Of These 3 Common Duct Cleaning Myths?

It's easy to go about your daily life and forget about the importance of your home's ductwork. However, if your home has a central air conditioning or forced-air heating system, your ducts are critical paths connecting every part of your home. When your system runs, this ductwork collects and redistributes air throughout your house.

While this important function ensures adequate ventilation and helps to distribute conditioned air, it also means that your ductwork can contribute to air quality issues. Ductwork cleaning is one way to help eliminate or control these problems. If you don't think your home needs its ductwork cleaned, you may be falling for one of these three common myths.

1. Your HVAC Filter Prevents Mold and Dust Buildup

Most homeowners know their HVAC systems include at least one filter near the return air plenum. Some systems may also include one or more filters at the return vents. Whatever the case, the presence of these filters can be reassuring since they effectively filter large amounts of dust, pet dander, and other contaminants.

However, the primary role of your return filter is to protect your heat exchanger and evaporator coil. No system is completely leakproof, so there are opportunities for dust or even mold spores to bypass your filter by entering the system after the air handler cabinet. With enough time, these relatively small contaminants can slowly build up in your home's ductwork.

2. Mold Can't Grow In Air Ducts

If your home has a central air conditioning system, you might think the air blowing through your vents is too cold and dry for mold growth. In general, you would be correct. However, your air conditioner doesn't push air through these vents continuously. Mold can often take root in the warmer months if your system can't keep up with the extra humidity.

Additionally, mold can remain dormant for long periods or even indefinitely. While conditions in your ductwork may occasionally be inhospitable to mold, dormant spores can remain intact without a thorough ductwork cleaning.

3. Your Ductwork Can't Contribute to Smelly Air

Most people know that there are a few potential sources of unpleasant odors in HVAC systems, including excessive moisture at the evaporator coils. However, your ductwork can also be a contributor to these nasty smells. Your ductwork may even be the source of persistent HVAC odors you can't track down.

Since your supply ductwork is after your filter, contaminants that enter the supply side of the system will remain there. No matter how good your filter is, these contaminants can continue contributing to air quality issues and odor problems. Only cleaning your ducts will remove them for good and, with any luck, resolve your persistent HVAC odors.

For more information about residential air duct cleaning, contact a local company.


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