You rely on your air ducts to help you breathe easier while keeping your home or business heated or cooled to a comfortable temperature. But what happens to your Mooresville, North Carolina heating systems and indoor air quality if you don’t clean your air ducts frequently? You may be unpleasantly surprised! The average home generates a surprising amount of dust and dirt every year. Add to that pet dander, water, dryer lint and other particulate matter. Your Huntersville, North Carolina HVAC system is designed to help pull dust and debris away from your living space. The problem is, even by changing the best air filters on the market in accordance with manufacturer recommendations, all that “junk” has to go somewhere.
Over time, dirty air ducts can make your HVAC unit work harder to heat or cool your home or office, causing inconsistent heating and cooling and driving your energy bills up for less return. This could even lead to unnecessary maintenance, repair and replacement calls! Even worse, your home’s air ducts can become a fertile breeding ground for mold growth and other toxins and allergens which industry experts and environmental protection agencies around the world recognize as major threats to healthy indoor environments. But how do you keep your air duct systems clean when they run through the attic, within and behind walls and ceilings and are generally “out of sight, out of mind?”
Peace Heating and Air Conditioning’s air duct cleaning process keeps your air, and the people and pets who breathe it, healthier!
Peace Heating and Air Conditioning uses Rotobrush® duct cleaning technology to clean the ducts in your Charlotte, North Carolina home or office. This powerful system is independently shown to reduce stray particulate matter and increase airflow, making the duct air in your home or office healthier to breathe and the return air cleaner, which means your AC systems won’t have to work as hard to deliver increased healthy heat exchange and giving you more control over your energy costs! Even better, we can also use this system on dryer vents to safely and effectively remove lint within your dryer exhaust system, which is a leading fire risk in America, especially during the winter months.
Cleaning your ducts professionally is one of the best ways to ensure your home or business stays a safe and healthy environment for your family, staff and the general public.
From Catawba, North Carolina, to Cornelius, North Carolina and beyond, Peace Heating and Air Conditioning offers the professional information, advice and services to keep your HVAC system clean and help you decide the best way to maintain, repair or replace your system so you consistently get the best results and the greatest savings possible. Whether you’re selling real estate in Statesville, North Carolina or canning peaches in Concord, North Carolina, Peace Heating and Air Conditioning is proud to serve our friends and neighbors with a practical solution for any HVAC problem, so you and your family can breathe easier and more comfortably all year round!
To learn more about air duct cleaning and other climate control and air purification measures from Peace Heating and Air Conditioning, keep scrolling and check out our Frequently Asked Questions!
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Duct Cleaning
Whether you call Davidson, North Carolina home or dip in and out of Denver, North Carolina, air duct cleaning for your home or business is a very smart investment!
Question: How do furnace cleaners and air duct cleaning services near me work? Giacomo, Charlotte, North Carolina
Answer: Every time you open or close doors or windows, repair damaged drywall, do your semiannual carpet cleaning, grout cleaning, a simple fan installation, flooring installation or other basic maintenance or home construction tasks, you’re stirring around the air and getting particulate matter into your home’s environment like dirt, dust and pollen. Good air handling units which are equipped with the proper filter assembly can go a long way toward keeping this stuff away from you and your family, along with pet dander, moisture from your air conditioner drain pans, bath, kitchen or water heater and other possible contaminants. However, your filters and ductwork need to be maintained too, as does your dryer’s exhaust port. Cleaning out your ducts is an essential part of any consumer checklist for owning or maintaining a home. A reputable furnace cleaner like Peace Heating and Air Conditioning will make sure your vents, dryer exhaust and ductwork are thoroughly cleaned with results you can see and that you’re aware of any potential issues before they leave, so you can determine the best course of action to deal with them.
How often should you do heater duct cleaning and air vent cleaning? Keagan, Mooresville, North Carolina
According to the National Air Duct Cleaners’ Association (NADCA), you should have your ducts cleaned at least once a year. Meanwhile, the National Fire Protection Association says you should have your dryer exhaust line cleaned once a year or more frequently if you notice your clothes are taking longer to dry. Peace Heating and Air Conditioning combines both services into one simple step, taking the guesswork and stress out of having to deal with two different contractors. If you can’t remember the last time you had your ductwork cleaned, or if you start noticing an uptick in allergies, throat irritation, headaches or other possible signs of air duct contamination, call Peace Heating and Air Conditioning so we can make sure your home is a healthier place for you and your loved ones, and less friendly to molds, fungi and microbes who might want to make camp!
How do I know if I need air conditioning duct cleaning? Billie Jo, Davidson, North Carolina
In many cases, it will be visible to the naked eye. You may notice dust or lint accretion around the vents, no matter how vigorously or frequently you dust. It’s possible you may detect a musty odor in the house, excessive dust when you do upholstery cleaning or rug cleaning, or start to notice allergy symptoms like sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, throat irritation, headaches or asthma attacks. A good rule of thumb is, if you don’t know the last time it was done, or it’s been more than a year, you’re probably overdue, especially if it’s beginning to affect your family’s health. If that’s the case, Peace Heating and Air Conditioning is ready and able to help you get your home, and your health, back!
Is HVAC air duct cleaning near me really necessary, or is it just hype and scaremongering by air duct cleaning companies? Elsie, Statesville, North Carolina
We’re not here to scare anyone; we believe knowledge and education is essential for homeowners and property managers to make good decisions for themselves and their families and/or tenants. Not knowing the possible problems can lead to a false sense of security and cause homeowners to overlook them, as well as missing out on alternatives to potentially expensive repairs and medical bills down the road. It’s a known fact that your HVAC ductwork can offer a fertile breeding ground for dust mites, black mold and microbes. This is especially true of locations with high ambient moisture, such as around cooling coils where there’s a lot of condensation meeting warmer air and heat exchangers in areas with a lot of water like bathrooms and kitchens. We don’t want to be alarmist, but people get sick, sometimes life-threateningly so, from these microscopic pests. The waste products these organisms generate are a health hazard unto themselves. When you factor in the additional risk of fire from lint and dust in areas like your dryer’s exhaust vent, it becomes all the more important to address these problems before they have a chance to really get a toehold. If the problem gets too bad, it means an expensive renovation and rehabilitation of the building before it is safely inhabitable again. There’s a good chance your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy might cover the cost of having your ductwork cleaned, and you’ll sleep better knowing you’re doing everything you can to keep yourself and the people who matter to you safe.
What is air duct contamination? Murray, Catawba, North Carolina
Air duct contamination refers to all the particulates, moisture and other substances which can or do get caught or deposited in your air ducts which aren’t air. This can include pollen, dust, dirt, pet dander, moisture, renovation and construction particles, tiny bits of debris tracked in from outside, insect parts, food particles and so forth. Air duct contamination can be insidious, because it may not be obvious to the naked eye even though it’s causing heightened illness, sensitivity, allergies and people or pets not feeling well. If you know or suspect air duct contamination has occurred, don’t wait! Contact Peace Heating and Air Conditioning so we can address the problem before it gets out of control!
Is it true that ductwork cleaning and HVAC cleaning near me improves AC performance? Wilma, Denver, North Carolina
Yes! Clean ductwork and vents mean your HVAC system can be operated more efficiently, because it doesn’t have to work as hard to circulate air around your home or business. When dust, dirt and other contaminants are present, usually your air supply and return system is working harder to continue operating less effectively because the system must not only move air, but also everything in the air. The same applies to dryers. If your clothes aren’t getting dry as quickly as they used to, especially with a newer-model dryer, there’s a good chance your dryer exhaust ductwork needs to be cleaned out as well. By removing the wall fans and clearing out all the accumulated lint, dust, dirt and debris, your HVAC system and dryer are likely to have longer careers and cost you less money to operate in the long run!
How will cleaning my air ducts lower my energy bill? Klaus, Charlotte, North Carolina
Typically, especially for newer climate control systems, they are designed to run at peak energy efficiency while delivering optimum heating and cooling. But when they have to work harder to achieve the same result, it costs more energy. You can model an example of this in your own mind by picturing yourself walking across your yard. Easy, right? That doesn’t take hardly any effort at all, assuming you have two functioning arms and legs and no disabilities or injuries which prevent you from walking. But what if we make you carry a 10lb bag of sand across the yard? That would be harder and force you to use more energy. Now what if we made you do that on the hottest day of the year and you had to cross the yard at a flat-out sprint? It would take still more energy.
In mechanical terms, the more effort you have to expend to achieve the same output, the more work it will take. Also, just like you, your HVAC system and dryer are not immortal. They may be tough and built to take a lot of punishment, but they’re not built to last forever. If you had to run across the Charlotte metro area as fast as you could without a rest, food or water, carrying ten pounds of sand on the hottest day of the year, how long would it take you to run out of gas? The same concept applies to any machine, which very much includes your dryer, HVAC system and all the other electronics and machinery we rely on to make our lives easier and more comfortable. HVAC duct cleaning, just like adding oil to your car, makes the system run more smoothly and use less energy to achieve the same work.
Are duct materials other than basic sheet metal more likely to be contaminated with mold and other biological contaminants? Taylor, Davidson, North Carolina
The honest answer is, “It depends.” While most modern duct materials are designed to conduct heat and air easily inside them but insulate the surrounding environment from their contents, life finds a way, Jeff Goldblum remarked in Jurassic Park. What is more important than the material the ductwork is made of is, what else is in the duct? Organic material and debris like dirt, dust, pollen and so on can allow biological contaminants like black mold to grow. Finding mold in AC vents is actually not that uncommon, and contrary to popular belief it is entirely possible to grow black mold in air ducts. If it gets too attached, even a professional duct cleaning company like Peace Heating and Air Conditioning could find it challenging to dislodge—and each minute it remains is another minute it can jeopardize your health and safety or that of your loved ones. If you think you’ve got black mold in your ductwork, call us right away so we can get it taken care of for you!
Can chemicals be applied to the inside of air ducts to eliminate black mold in air vents? Roderick, Concord, North Carolina
Technically, yes, there’s no reason you can’t. As a practical matter, for a homeowner this is probably not a good idea. Most mold killers you can buy at your local big-box store may or may not be effective against differing strains of black mold. Some may be detrimental to metal, plastic or rubber, which could damage your ductwork, gaskets and certain fan assembly components. Additionally, if you don’t use them correctly and with due respect, you could end up making yourself very sick—or worse. As a general rule, it’s better to let the professionals deal with it. They have the right safety apparatus, training and supplies to apply it safely, effectively, thoroughly and in a way to mainly eliminate the problem without creating others you didn’t expect!
Can you clean air ducts yourself or do I need furnace cleaning near me? Lucy, Mooresville, North Carolina
Typically Peace Heating and Air Conditioning does not recommend doing your own duct cleaning. Ductwork is fairly sturdy and robust, but if it becomes damaged, you could be looking at anything from a minor repair to a major renovation to fix it. Also, having the right tools for the job is important. You can’t go in with a couple of dish towels, hot soapy water and a duster and call it good, because damp environments with high airflow attract the exact sort of materials molds, fungi and harmful microbes love to grow in. Peace Heating and Air Conditioning has the knowhow, skills and equipment to clean your ducts properly, thoroughly and make sure they aren’t a congenial environment for the things you’re trying to keep out of your house. Also, since we adopted Rotobrush® duct-cleaning technology, we can do it much faster and more effectively, and make sure your home is safe for you and those you love while keeping germs and other nasties out!
Do I need air conditioning duct cleaning if I just installed a new HVAC unit? Franklin, Huntersville, North Carolina
The HVAC unit sits at the heart of the ductwork in your home, delivering heated or chilled air as desired. Ideally, when the unit is installed the ductwork would be clean, so everything from coil to compressor to coolant matches up easily and is fresh and ready to go without worries. However, some franchise operations either don’t do this or treat it as an add-on service which isn’t included in the basic installation. Without actually taking a look for ourselves, the best we can tell you is this: If Peace Heating and Air Conditioning did the install, you shouldn’t have to worry. If we didn’t, it might be worth your while to ask the contractor who did the install if they also cleaned the ducts and how it was done, just for your own peace of mind.
How much does vent and air duct cleaning cost near me? Lindsey, Cornelius, North Carolina
Peace Heating and Air Conditioning is offering $99 duct cleaning to our customers within any zip code in the greater Lake Norman, North Carolina area until further notice. It’s our way of going a little above and beyond to give our customers the peace of mind we promise and the great heating and air conditioning they expect and deserve from us. To learn more about our $99 duct-cleaning special, or to set up an appointment for service, maintenance or repair for your HVAC system, call (704) 746-9723 or click here to contact us through our website!
Does your $99 air duct cleaning include AC vent cleaning, furnace duct cleaning and the cost of dryer vent cleaning? Mikey, Denver, North Carolina
Yes! Peace Heating and Air Conditioning’s dedicated service staff offers one-call-does-it-all service for all your ductwork, using Rotobrush® duct cleaning technology to make sure the job is done quickly and correctly the first time, every time! We know some service providers only do a room or only do part of the ductwork, but at Peace Heating and Air Conditioning, we always like to go above beyond. That’s why we’re where peace of mind meets heating and air conditioning. If your ductwork needs some TLC, call us and we’ll be there as fast as we can to get you and your family the fresh, clean, healthy air you expect and deserve for the people and pets who mean the most to you!
As you can see, duct cleaning isn’t just a matter of spritzing some canned air into your vents and giving them a quick rub with a towel. This is specialty work that requires a specialist’s touch.
For air duct cleaning and all your other HVAC needs, contact Peace Heating and Air Conditioning, where peace of mind meets heating and air conditioning!
If you’re unsure what a term in this FAQ meant, we included a glossary. Keep reading for the answers to all your lingering questions about air duct cleaning!
Air Duct Cleaning Glossary
- Air Duct: The conduit through which heated or cooled air is forced for climate control or to eliminate excess heat, for example from a dryer. Usually made of sheet metal (see HVAC), but may also be made from other materials including but not limited to PVC plastic and Mylar.
- Air Fan: The mechanism which helps push air through the heating and cooling system. Most HVAC units have an integrated fan or blower.
- Air Vent: The vent allows air to pass through while limiting what can get into the ductwork. Usually made of metal or plastic. Vents do not stop fine particulates and very small objects from entering the system.
- Black Mold: Stachybotrys chartarum (S. chartarum), or Stachybotrys atra, is the type of mold most people mean when they refer to “black mold.” The spores from this type of mold are toxic to humans and most animals and can lead to allergies, infections in immunocompromised people, breathing problems and changes in mood or behavior. However, many kinds of mold are black. It is better to assume it’s a dangerous variant and take steps to eliminate it immediately.
- Clean: Peace Heating and Air Conditioning defines “clean” as a state where you and your family can breathe safely and easily, but organisms which can make you and your loved ones sick can’t thrive. Accomplished by making sure your ductwork and vents are free of moisture and debris which could create a suitable environment for molds and microbes to grow.
- Coil: The cooling coils in your HVAC unit contain coolant. When air passes over these supercold coils, it chills the air to the specified temperature set on your thermostat. The area around the coils tends to be a prime breeding ground for microbes and other pests because of the condensation caused by the chilling process, making this area a priority for thorough cleaning when ductwork is being maintained.
- Dryer Exhaust: The dryer exhaust duct helps channel excess heat and lint away from the body of the dryer to the outside of your home. Because so much lint gets removed through the dryer exhaust, it should be thoroughly cleaned at the same time as your home’s HVAC ductwork.
- Dander: Dead skin cells from domesticated animals such as dogs and cats. Dander can be highly irritating to people with allergies or sensitivities, and in the presence of moisture can combine with debris, dirt and/or dust to create a breeding ground for microbes, mites and molds.
- Debris: Any organic or inorganic particles such as flecks of food, bits of modeling clay, etc. which can be caught in the ductwork of your home.
- Dirt: Dirt is specifically fine particles of soil or crushed rock brought in from outside the home.
- Dust: Dead skin cells from humans. Dust mites think it’s delicious!
- Dust Mites: Dust mites live on dust and dander in the home, and they are often responsible for non-pet, non-mold-based environmental allergic reactions within the home. Aggressive cleaning and having your ductwork cleaned regularly can help deny them a place to feed and breed.
- Fungi: (singular Fungus) Any of a group of simple organisms which reproduce by spore production and feed on organic matter such as dust components. Black mold is one of the most feared types of fungus, while shiitake and truffle mushrooms are considered delicacies in many parts of the world. Even if a fungus is delicious in a salad, you don’t want them in your walls.
- HVAC: Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. A catchall portmanteau acronym for climate control systems which may refer to a furnace, air conditioner, and/or the ductwork connecting any or all of these.
- Peace Heating and Air Conditioning: Where peace of mind meets heating and air conditioning. Proudly serving the greater Mooresville and Charlotte area’s HVAC needs with skill, professionalism and a friendly, neighborly touch!
- Pollen: Produced by plants to reproduce, many types of pollen are allergens to human beings and, to a lesser extent, pets. “Hay fever” is only one of the best known versions of this type of allergy. May be brought from outside or occur indoors during a live plant’s flowering season. May mix with dust and other debris in the HVAC system to create a nourishing environment for mites, molds and more.
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