Ventilation:  The process of furnishing and extracting air by natural or mechanical means both to and from any area. Ventilation Rate – The rate at which outside air penetrates a home displacing interior air. Venting offers an efficient method for diluting the concentration of all indoor air contaminants.

Environmental advantages: Cleaning products consist of numerous ingredients which generate damaging ecological consequences. Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS), or contact with second hand smoke, is believed to result in an additional 53,000 fatalities in the USA, mainly as a result of cancer of the lung and heart related problems. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) holds its IAQ TfS (Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools) National Symposium in Wash, DC each year, as a means of pulling together previous, current and upcoming leaders in safeguarding and bettering IAQ within our country’s educational institutions.

Pollutants within our homes, which used to escape through cracks around doors and windows, have become trapped inside creating an indoor atmosphere that may be from Two to five times more contaminated than outdoor air. Unfortunately, this is an adverse effect of better insulated homes and buildings which inhibit airflow. Therefore, the air you breathe at home is oftentimes full of pollutants like plant pollen, airborne debris, pet dander and hair, dust mites, cigarette smoke, along with other toxic irritants. A third to one half of all building structures have damp conditions which may promote growth of pollutants such as molds and bacteria, which may result in allergic reactions including asthma and may also spread transmittable diseases.

Mildew, also known as mold or fungi, is an organic material which comes in a range of species and colors and is generally identified by its musty scent. Mold is usually a normal part of our environment and we can’t avoid it entirely. Mold spores travel with wind current and so are deposited on all outdoor and indoor surface types. Mildew and mold also give rise to an inadequate quality of air, and so they too can be managed by improved venting. Mold-related allergies, as well as asthma and upper the respiratory system ailments frequently occur when too many of the lifeless (non-viable) mold spores are suspended in the indoor air.

Indoor air quality can be administered via passive monitors. Indoor air quality for fine air particulate pollution was tested for 10 locations inside 5 casinos in the Kansas City area from June 10 and October 3, 2010 and the data will be available soon. Methods to improve IAQ should be taken including replacement of heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) filters and routine duct cleaning. If you live in the Bloomington, Burnsville, Apple Valley or Eagan area of the twin cities, you may want to give us Duct Cleaning Twin Cities a call at 612-412-1867. Duct Cleaning Twin cities serves the entire Minneapolis, MN are providing the afore mentioned services as well as dryer vent cleaning, furnace cleaning and more.

Vents can get severely clogged if not cleaned for months and many homes may have furnace and air conditioners that run harder with blocked vents and running such a unit in this condition reduces the lifespan of the unit. Every time, the furnace is turned on, dirt from the vents will blow dirt throughout the house. This may lead to various problems as it relates to the health of those living in that environment. They may suffer from runny nose, sneezing and itchy eyes because of the dust pollen in the home environment. Vents will blow dust in the air if not cleaned on time and people will inhale the same air, as they cannot see the microscopic dirt in the air.

Allergies are often caused due to accumulation of dust, pollen, dust mites, fungi and molds in the air conditioning and heating ducts. Ask any allergist and they will agree that the HVAC system can play a leading role in air quality. Furnace and air conditioner circulate the same pollens that we are trying to get rid of. Duct cleaning equipment may prove to be useful if used for cleaning vents and blowing out dirt on a regular basis and experts agree this may help improve allergy symptoms.

Duct cleaning service providers have large trucks with both air hoses and a large vacuum hose at the back. The workers attach the hose to the furnace and then blow compressed air through each vent, while extracting dirt from the heating and cooling system. This is quite necessary for people, who have pets or smokers in their home. In this situation, the technician may suggest sending a rotating brush through parts of the system. Homeowners can actually see trucks leaving with huge amounts of dust particles after cleaning the vents and will experience fresh air coming out of the air ducts after the central heating system is made free from dust particles. Additionally, homeowners can use high quality furnace filters to trap much of the pollen circulating in the air which is blown throughout the house by air conditioning and furnace fans. Changing these furnace filters regularly is also useful to avoid further health problems.

Air conditioner maintenance with the help of high powered duct cleaning equipment is an excellent plan. You can actually notice a great difference in the quality of air you breathe after the cleaning task is complete. Homeowners may set appointments on regular basis with these service providers after seeing the improvement. Cleaning vents using duct cleaning services may make a difference in air quality and overall household cleanliness. It has been known to help families, who had adults or kids suffering from asthma or other respiratory problems. Air conditioners and furnaces work more efficiently if inspected and cleaned regularly. Using professional duct cleaning equipment or duct services that use trucks with high-powered mounted vacuums, homeowners can successfully eliminate allergen-laded dust and toxins from the ducts.

Duct Cleaning, the Pros and Cons

First the Pros:

• Source Removal – If you get rid of the “source”, you will get rid of the problem.
• Clean Air – It only stands to reason; if your ducts are clean the furnace and air conditioner won’t blow it around your home.
• Health Benefits – Ask any allergist, or allergy sufferer.
• Very Affordable – For as little as $99 you could have all the air ducts in your home cleaned.
  Fast and Efficient – With two duct cleaners, the process should take less than an hour for a typical home with just one furnace.
• No Haggling Over Prices – Unlike other domestic services, duct cleaning should be easy to bid over the phone. Nowadays, most duct cleaning companies will give you a price quote over the phone.

Now the Cons:

• Duct Cleaning Cost – How clean is “clean”? Duct cleaning prices range from $69 – $1,000. This creates a lot of confusion, because the typical homeowner can’t inspect the work.
• Discount Duct Cleaning – Beware of any company offering $10 off, or $50 off. What is the real duct cleaning cost? Ask $10 off of what price?
• Per Vent Pricing – Most homeowners are unaware that their home may have 15-30 vents. Even at $10 per vent, this ads up fast.
• Duct Cleaning Scams – As in any business, duct cleaning companies will pop up from time to time and try to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners.
• Incomplete Cleaning Methods – Look for companies that will give you a “Whole House Price”. You should be able to provide basic information about your heating and cooling system over the phone and get a price quote. If the duct cleaning company wants to come out to your home to give you a bid, hang onto your wallet!

I hope this post has given you a little insight into the pros and cons of duct cleaning. Remember to always check with consumer watch-dog groups and do a little homework before you hire any contractor to do any type of work in your home. You might also want to read the article “20 Tips on Hiring a Duct Cleaner“, published on the CleanMyfurnace.com website. Or, you can always give us a call at 612-412-1867, or mail in your questin to: DuctCleaningTwinCities.com, 40 South 7th Street, Suite 212-144D, Minneapolis, MN 55402.

Duct Cleaning Techniques Have Greatly Improved

Way back in 1997 the EPA did a study that down played the importance of duct cleaning. Many feel this was due in large part to the “air duct cleaning scams” that were being reported all across the Minneapolis area as well as the entire US. While the report was very thorough, duct cleaning techniques and equipment has changed. “Duct cleaners” were running around in station wagons and mini-vans with a shopvac, calling themselves “Indoor Air Quality Professionals.

Allergists Agree, Duct Cleaning Helps

Allergy sufferers don’t need to travel very far to learn the benefits of air duct cleaning. A short visit with their local allergy clinic and they discover that duct cleaning ranks high on the list of allergy cleaning or allergy proofing a house. They will also learn the importance of things like; like mattress cleaning, freezing pillows, allergy bedding, etc), Most people who suffer from allergies know there is no cure-all which will relieve all their symptoms. They understand that air duct cleaning is just one part of the allergy cleaning process.

Is Duct Cleaning Right in Your Situation?

According to your furnace manufacturer (yes, Trane, Bryant, Amana, Carrier, Lennox… yes, everyone of them!), your furnace should be cleaned and inspected yearly. If the manufacturers all recommend annual cleaning, it stands to reason that your ductwork, which supplies un-filtered air to the furnace and heated or cooled air to your home, should be cleaned too. Most homeowners understand the benefits of duct cleaning, even if purely from a “heating and air conditioning maintenance” standpoint. For about $200 or less, a qualified Twin Cities air duct cleaning company will thoroughly clean all your air duct work and will inspect your furnace and air conditioner for no additional charge! So, if you are troubled by allergies, what do you have to lose? Schedule to have your air ducts cleaned today. Who knows, your allergy problems just might improve! DuctCleaningTwinCities.com, 40 South 7th Street, Suite 212-144D, Minneapolis, MN 55402 (612) 412-1867