I want to get my ducts cleaned since we all have allergies. My home is old and very cold in the winter, despite insulation, and the ducts have never been cleaned. Is this worth the $400 investment?
I can’t say whether the $400 is worth it for your project just because I do not know your project but duct cleaning in general is always a good idea. Ducts can get very dirty over time and this can have an impact on someone health. You could also try installing an UV light within the system. These kill bacteria.
Jen,
It is a good investment to have your ducts and filters cleaned. If you suffer from allergies it is wise to use hypo-allergenic filters as well. Changing your filters regularly also helps with the efficiency of the unit. Cleaning out the ducts will help keep you healthier and also prevent damage to your ducts. Also clean out your dryer ducts to prevent any potential fires and to reduce strain on your dryer.
Alex Suriano
A. Suriano Home Improvements
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Yes, duct cleaning is very worth it. One thing to keep in mind though, is that if the ductwork is dirty, it means you either have a leak in the ductwork on the return side, which will suck in the dirty air surrounding the return, or you have not changed your filter frequently enough. Many times homeowners will go to Home Depot and buy a hospital-grade HEPA filter to try to solve the problem, but those filters drastically restrict airflow. If you have air conditioning, your evaporator coil will not have enough airflow over it to prevent it from freezing and shutting down. Then you’re stuck in the middle of the hottest day with no ac, and run the risk of a dishonest technician “advising” you to replace the entire system. If you have allergies, look for ways to air seal your home, especially the attic floor. There are dozens of penetrations at the tops of walls for plumbing, electrical and vents. Also, if the drywall isn’t sealed to the top-plate, that dirty attic air will get sucked into your walls and infiltrate into your home through holes, switch plates, wall plates and under the baseboards.
The idea for a UV filter is a good one, and fairly inexpensive as well. But if all you’re going to do is clean the ductwork, you will find out that it didn’t completely solve your allergy problems. If you have pets, definitely consider changing your filter every 2 months. Hope this helps! Feel free to reach out with any other questions or concerns.
-Steve