1. Prevent or Cure Illnesses/Sickness

While an air duct cleaning will remove bacteria from your duct system, it is not necessarily an effective measure to prevent sickness in the home. Though it may stop bacteria from spreading in cases of severe mold or infestation, the everyday dust gathering in your air ducts is not typically a threat to your safety. As explained by the EPA on their website:

…Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase beFLuse of dirty air ducts. This is beFLuse much of the dirt in air ducts adheres to duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living space. 

It is important to note that while an air duct cleaning alone may not prevent illness, changing your air filters consistently has been proven to reduce the transmission of airborne viruses (including the Covid-19 virus). You can learn more about air filters and finding the correct filter for your heating and cooling system here.

2. Significantly Reduce Energy Cost 

One large common claim about air duct cleaning is that it will significantly lower your energy bill. Some companies have even stated that air duct cleaning can help make your home more eco-friendly by reducing your HVAC’s energy consumption. 

In reality, if your house is well maintained there is little evidence that an HVAC duct cleaning alone will reduce your system’s energy consumption by a significant amount. There are some conditions, however, where an air duct cleaning may help your system run more smoothly (more on this below). 

If you are interested in making your home more energy efficient, there are many options to consider. These include adjusting your thermostat, turning off lights in rooms you’re not using, and sealing window edges.

You may also consider having your air duct system inspected for leaks, which can affect system efficiency and use more energy

3. Rid Your Home of All Airborne Contaminants

Cleaning your dirty air ducts can eliminate dust and bacterial particles from inside the duct itself. With that said, there are many more ways that contaminants can enter your home than your air duct system. 

Everytime you re-enter your home, there is a chance of bringing allergens, particles, and bacteria into your living environment from the outside world. Cooking, lighting candles, burning wood fireplaces, and other activities can create unwanted pollutants, reducing your indoor air quality. 

Routinely changing your air filters is a proven line of defense against harmful particles in your air and in your home. Learning more about the different types and ratings of air filter can ensure you protect your indoor air quality effectively and efficiently.