HVAC Duct cleaning???

[SZR48207]

What are your thoughts on using a service that cleans the hvac ductwork in a home?

I recently moved into a new (to me) home that is 8 years old. I have noticed that my allergies have been aggravated, even though I have performed a fairly thorough cleaning on the home before moving the furniture in.

One thing worth noting is that the previous owners let the air return grilles get fairly dirty to the point where I needed to scrub the built up dust off them. Also the buildup was rather oily so I wonder if they used some type of spray fragrance on them to circulate throughout the house. The home still smells like the air Freshener used by the previous owner even though I cannot locate the source of the scent.

I did some research and the EPA does not advocate duct cleaning unless an issue is present. A local company specializes in this service and charges around $500 for the number of ducts that are in my home (~2000 sq ft).

Just checking if anyone here has done this and if the results were positive.

 

[mechtech2]

They will get some dirt out.
But they will leave a lot of dirt in, and loosen stuff so it is worse for a week.
[Use good filters after your cleaning.]
Don't let them get away with going through the motions for a 1/2 way job.

 

[friendly_jacek]

Duct cleaning is a rip off.
You better check the evaporator coil as it could be a source of mold if installed or operating incorrectly.
It's probably very dirty too, as few people clean them (even the "professionals").
The blower fan could be also very dirty.
Clean those first and then use quality filters and not those see through blue junk.

 

[Slick17601]

What kind of filter is on the air handler? You would be wise to invest in a 5" media filter.

 

[SrDriver]

Use a good filter and change it Once a month. Unless you have some kind of problem would not spend any money on duct cleaning.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

The return air ducts are on the opposite side of the filter. What's coming out of your heat/AC ducts should be clean if the furnace/AC system was maintained. If not, then you'd be better off getting maintenance done on the source of the problem, rather than duct cleaning which won't do more than lighten your wallet.

If there's dirt in the output duct system then you have problems that duct cleaning won't solve.

 

[Patman]

We are in the process of having our basement finished and there was a lot of dust all over our house when they were doing the drywalling stage, so we thought it might be a good idea to get the ducts cleaned because of this. In a unique case like this do you guys still think it's a waste of money?

 

[PandaBear]

I had one done recently and IMO it is not worth it. The reason I had it done was because I suspect a rat got into the duct area and I want the guy to use a camera to inspect it.

They use rotating brush with vacuum, but they don't go all the way into the motor and will just stop as soon as they hit a bent. If you want to clean it thoroughly you have to find someone that even take the motor out and clean it, those cost at least $400.

If you just have allergies, you should start with the simple and cheap things like new filter, cleaning the motor yourself, check for mold in the house, pollens getting into or near the house, etc.

 

[stockrex]

get a shopvac with a really long flexible line .
take the vent cover of
put the hose down the vent and go back and forth

 

[LeakySeals]

Had it done before. They cut an access hole in the duct-work. Man was it nasty in there. And i use good filters too!