What do you need to know before having air ducts cleaned? While there's an ongoing debate over the benefits of duct cleaning, there's no evidence it's a bad idea, assuming it's handled with care and done by trained professionals. Here's what you need to know:
If the grates of your return registers can be easily removed and vacuumed, it may prove an effective way to clean them. The U.S. EPA suggests professional cleaning may not be necessary if:
Prior to making a service call, be aware that if your service provider fails to follow proper duct-cleaning procedures, the process can potentially cause problems with your indoor air quality.
Use of an inadequate vacuum system could release more dust, dirt, and other contaminants (including asbestos) than if you left the ducts alone. And if the service provider is either careless or poorly trained, he or she could damage your ducts or HVAC system, possibly increasing your heating and air conditioning costs or forcing you to undertake difficult and costly repairs or replacements.
Download: What to expect from an air duct cleaning service provider