16 | October 2019
OK
, I just couldn't resist
the graphic puns,
but after over 27
years of being in-
volved in the HVAC
hygiene industry, I
think it's fitting.
So, just what IS duct cleaning, and why should you
be considering it as part of a proactive maintenance pro-
gram for your home or commercial space? "Duct Cleaning"
refers to the cleaning of heating, ventilation and cooling
(HVAC) systems, including their associated air ducts and
components. HVAC systems that supply air to occupant
spaces generally incorporate some form of filtration to re-
move varying degrees of airborne debris and contaminants
from the delivered air.
If It Has Filters, Why Do You Need to Clean It?
Here's the thing about many of the filters being used on
many of the systems out there: They're not very good. If you
can hold a clean filter up and look right through it (like with a
typical 1" hardware store fiberglass variety), it isn't stopping
most of the fine particles that you're likely concerned about
breathing in. In most cases, some debris will eventually
accumulate within your HVAC systems, filters or not. Many
systems have their filtration located near the blower fan
in the air handling unit, although some smaller residential
systems have a filter located over a central return air grill
instead. In any case, debris builds up over time.
The dust and debris that gets drawn into HVAC ductwork
and the air handling unit itself may be compounded by mois-
ture (both moisture that's drawn in from the ambient envi-
ronment and what is undesirably carried-over from any AC
An Air
DUCT
Cleaning &
HVAC Hygiene
Primer
By Bob Krell,
CIEC, CMRS, LEED-AP,
NYS Mold Assessor
This article is about DUCT cleaning, not duck cleaning!
*&#$!
?
%*@*$!
