Air Duct Cleaning in Wilmington, NC
Air ducts collect many contaminants, including dust, debris, mold, and pollen. If not cleaned, these contaminants can affect indoor air quality and cause allergic reactions in susceptible household members. Your home is exposed to outside air, not from your air ducts, but from the windows and doors allowing outdoor air inside.
Once the outside air is in your home, the HVAC system recirculates the air, and if it has contaminants, it will recirculate them throughout your home. In Wilmington, NC, tree, grass, and weed pollen counts are high throughout the year, which could accumulate in your air ducts.
Wilmington’s humid climate could also lead to mold or mildew growth in your air ducts. Locating a professional to clean your air ducts properly while protecting your home from contaminants is essential.
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Top Rated Air Duct Cleaning Companies in Wilmington, NC
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What is Air Duct Cleaning?
Understanding what it means to clean your air ducts and the reasons to consider it can help you understand why this service is so important. Air duct cleaning refers to professionally cleaning the components of your heating and cooling system.
Professionals clean the supply and return air ducts, coils, drip pans, fans, registers, and grills. Reputable services will isolate the contaminants before cleaning the ducts to reduce the risk of spreading them throughout your home and back into your duct system.
Dust naturally settles in your air ducts, just like inside your home. When this happens, other debris sticks to the dust including skin particles, pet dander, and hair. This creates a solid environment for dust mites, bacteria, mold, and allergens, which may create problems for your household members and your HVAC system’s efficiency.
Clean air ducts ensure cleaner air in your home, potentially making it easier for household members with allergies or those who are susceptible to the accumulated contaminants in your air ducts. In addition, clean air ducts make your HVAC system run more efficiently, which may reduce your HVAC repair or replacement costs.
Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning
Air duct cleaning is one of those services that homeowners either swear by or avoid, but it has many benefits that shouldn’t be ignored.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
According to the National Air Ducts Cleaning Association, indoor air can be three to five times more contaminated than outside air. With household members spending up to 80% of their time inside, good indoor air quality is critical. This can remove pollutants and allergens, including pollen, dust, mold, dirt, and chemicals, making the air cleaner for you and your household members.
Enhanced HVAC Efficiency
Cleaning your air ducts may help your HVAC system run more efficiently by removing harmful pollutants and debris from crucial components. This means your system won’t have to work as hard and can help you save money on future repairs. It may also add years to your HVAC system.
Allergy and Asthma Relief
If you have household members with asthma or allergies, air duct cleaning may reduce their symptoms by providing cleaner indoor air. This is especially important if you or anyone in your house is allergic to dust or if the dust triggers an asthmatic attack. While it won’t prevent 100% of the allergens in your home, it can provide cleaner air and reduce the likelihood of unpleasant symptoms.
Odor Elimination
Dust, mold, and debris accumulation can cause unpleasant odors in your air ducts. Professional cleaning can help eliminate odors by removing contaminants, providing a cleaner home environment.
Signals that Air Ducts Need Cleaning
If you or your household members aren’t feeling well at home, the air feels musty or smells, you may want to consider air duct cleaning. Here are the top signs to look for when deciding if it’s needed:
Dust
You may notice dust flying from your vents when your HVAC system turns on or feel like you can’t get rid of the dust, no matter how often you clean. These are signs of dust accumulation in your air duct, and you should consider professional cleaning.
Allergy Symptoms
If your allergy symptoms increase when the HVAC system turns on or your asthma worsens at home even while on proper medications, air duct cleaning may help alleviate your symptoms.
Mold or Mildew Growth
Most mold isn’t visible to the naked eye because the spores are microscopic. This means a professional inspection and lab testing of the inside of your air ducts is essential. However, if you’ve noticed moisture or your HVAC system leaks, mold growth is highly likely and should be properly remediated and the air ducts cleaned.
Pest Infestation
If you notice a pest infestation in your air ducts, cleaning is essential. This will remove the pest problem and any bacteria or debris they cause to accumulate within the ducts.
How Often Should You Clean Air Ducts in Wilmington, NC?
The NADCA recommends cleaning your air ducts annually for all households. However, if you or household members suffer from asthma or allergies, you’ve had recent work done on the house, you own pets, notice a musty smell, or have water damage, you should have them cleaned more frequently.
Cost of Air Duct Cleaning in Wilmington, NC
The EPA states the average air duct cleaning cost is $450 to $1,000. The final air duct cleaning cost depends on many factors, including house size, the number of vents, and the job complexity. Other factors that may affect the cost include:
- The amount of contamination
- The presence of mold (it must be professionally removed first)
- The presence of asbestos (it must be professionally removed first)
- The presence of pets or vermin
Conclusion
Air duct cleaning in Wilmington is a great way to ensure your family has clean air. It may also help lengthen the life of your HVAC system and reduce the number of repairs needed. At a minimum, consider having your air ducts cleaned annually by a reputable professional in Wilmington, NC.
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FAQs
Is duct cleaning actually worth it?
There is a lot of speculation regarding whether air duct cleaning is worth it, but for most people, it provides peace of mind and cleaner air. This is especially true if you have any family members with allergies or chronic health conditions, own pets, or have done work in the house recently.
How do I clean air ducts myself?
Cleaning your air ducts yourself is possible, but it won’t provide the same level of cleanliness that a professional company with the proper tools can offer. To clean your air ducts yourself, remove the vent covers and cover the opening with a paper towel. Using a powerful vacuum, suck the loose dust out of the ducts within your reach. Be sure to clean the air filter and the vents before replacing them.
What are the cons of duct cleaning?
Air duct cleaning provides many benefits, but there are some downsides to consider:
- The problem will return, such as dust accumulation, debris, and mold, so you’ll need the service again.
- The cleaning process may release dust and debris into the air, potentially aggravating respiratory issues for sensitive individuals.
- Ductwork may get damaged, leading to leaks or reduced efficiency.
What happens if you don’t clean your air ducts?
Dust and debris can continue to build up in your air ducts, which may put unnecessary pressure on your HVAC system, causing premature failure. Not cleaning your air ducts may also put your family members at risk of exposure to contaminants and allergens that cause unpleasant reactions.
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Anna has over six years of experience in the home services and journalism industries and serves as the Content Manager at MyHomePros.com, specializing in making complex home improvement topics like HVAC, roofing, and plumbing accessible to all. With a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Auburn University, she excels in crafting localized, comprehensive guides that cater to homeowners’ unique needs. Living on both coasts of the United States has equipped her with a distinctive perspective, fueling her passion for turning any house into a cherished home through informed, personalized decision-making.
