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    #1

    A/C Duct Cleaning

    For those in the know what is your opinion on cleaning A/C ducts? The internet is filled with mixed reviews ranging from "not worth it" to "the best thing we ever did". My home is 16 years old, 2 store, and 2 a/c units. We have 3 air intakes...1 floor level and the other two in the ceiling. Over the past year we have noticed a significant increase in household dust and when looking inside one of the ducts from the intake their is a good bit of dust collected on the duct walls. I've read stories that people experienced more household dust after a cleaning possibly due to the cleaning company loosening the dust from the duct walls and not removing it all. My daughter and I are extremely allergic to dust so I need to figure this out ASAP. I hate to replace all the ducts if cleaning will accomplish the same thing.

    Thanks,
    Brandon
    Tags: None
    #2
    Ttt

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      #3
      Waste of money

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        #4
        Originally posted by Skyjunky View Post
        Waste of money
        Care to expand on that? I'm not disagreeing, but I'm trying to find out why or why it doesn't work.

        With recent excessive house dust and visual confirmation of dust on the duct walls I'm trying to think of what else would cause this.

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          #5
          It's more likely to stir up more dust, or tear up your ducts. Best defense is to replace your air filter regularly.

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            #6
            Originally posted by Skyjunky View Post
            It's more likely to stir up more dust, or tear up your ducts. Best defense is to replace your air filter regularly.
            Trust me I change all 3 air filters out regularly, but am still experiencing excessive house dust.

            Comment

              #7
              the dust isn't coming from the ducts.

              it's coming from outside, on your shoes, your clothes, and your pets.

              it may go thru the ducts, but that is just a recirculating mechanism.

              have you done any air leak testing? it could also be coming in around windows, doors, outlets....

              Comment

                #8
                Originally posted by Atfulldraw View Post
                the dust isn't coming from the ducts.

                it's coming from outside, on your shoes, your clothes, and your pets.

                it may go thru the ducts, but that is just a recirculating mechanism.

                have you done any air leak testing? it could also be coming in around windows, doors, outlets....
                Good info. It just seems strange that we've lived here for 8 years and the last 6 months or so the dust has increased exponentially. It is visible on all the furniture and baseboards. We haven't changed anything in the 8 years, so I'm stumped. I will look into the leak testing you mentioned.

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                  #9
                  Another thing worth mentioning is this isn't your normal "fine" dust, it's more course like lent. And it is blueish/grey.
                  Last edited by BrandonH; 08-29-2015, 08:59 PM.

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Originally posted by BrandonH View Post
                    Good info. It just seems strange that we've lived here for 8 years and the last 6 months or so the dust has increased exponentially. It is visible on all the furniture and baseboards. We haven't changed anything in the 8 years, so I'm stumped. I will look into the leak testing you mentioned.
                    have you tried any alternative air filtration methods? I would get a few good quality air purifiers (not the ionic ones, but the ones that have a fan that moves and collect the dust)

                    the reason you are seeing more dust in the house is that it is cumulative....over time, more and more gets in, then spread around by vacuuming, dusting and just walking around, and you basically have to do something to reduce the amount of dust in the house.

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Originally posted by BrandonH View Post
                      Another thing worth mentioning is this isn't your normal "fine" dust, it's more course like lent. And it is blueish/grey.
                      have you checked to make sure your dryer vent is connected properly?

                      it does sound like lint....

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Atfulldraw View Post
                        have you checked to make sure your dryer vent is connected properly?

                        it does sound like lint....
                        Especially if the vent goes up through the roof. I see them come apart all the time.
                        In my opinion, the risks of duct cleaning far outweigh the benefits. (Stir up dust, tear up ducts, etc).

                        I always recommend an infiltration (blower door) test to determine how the dust is getting into the home. It's amazing how much leakage a lot of homes have. Especially where the ducts penetrate the ceiling and recessed lighting.

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Originally posted by Atfulldraw View Post
                          have you tried any alternative air filtration methods? I would get a few good quality air purifiers (not the ionic ones, but the ones that have a fan that moves and collect the dust)

                          the reason you are seeing more dust in the house is that it is cumulative....over time, more and more gets in, then spread around by vacuuming, dusting and just walking around, and you basically have to do something to reduce the amount of dust in the house.
                          I will look into it filters. I understand the theory of our being cumulative, but we can do a thorough cleaning of everything and it shows right back up.
                          Originally posted by Atfulldraw View Post
                          have you checked to make sure your dryer vent is connected properly?

                          it does sound like lint....
                          The dryer vent is in good shape.

                          Originally posted by bowhntrmatt View Post
                          Especially if the vent goes up through the roof. I see them come apart all the time.
                          In my opinion, the risks of duct cleaning far outweigh the benefits. (Stir up dust, tear up ducts, etc).

                          I always recommend an infiltration (blower door) test to determine how the dust is getting into the home. It's amazing how much leakage a lot of homes have. Especially where the ducts penetrate the ceiling and recessed lighting.
                          Who would I contact to do this test? A regular HVAC person?

                          Comment

                            #14
                            Yes good hvac companies should be able to do this

                            Comment

                              #15
                              Thanks for all the suggestions.

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