You clean your home frequently. You dust, you vacuum, you wipe down every surface. But if you’re not having your ducts professionally cleaned periodically, your home may not be as clean and healthy as it could be. Indoor air pollution is higher than many people realize, earning it the number four spot on the EPA’s list of greatest environmental threats. In fact, indoor air has been found to be up to 70 times more polluted than outdoor air. And what’s hiding in your ductwork could be a major contributor.

During the summer and winter months when your air conditioner or furnace is running frequently, dirt, dust, and other contaminants are pulled into your duct system. Over these contaminants collect and build up and are eventually recirculated throughout your home where your family breathes them in and dust builds up on your home’s furnishings. While having to clean more frequently is annoying, the potential health effects are even worse. These contaminants, including dust mites, mold, allergens, bacteria, and animal dander, that can aggravate allergies and asthma as well as cause many other health issues. This extra buildup in your ducts taxies your HVAC system, requiring it to use 20 to 30 percent more energy.

Having your ducts professionally cleaned on a regular basis can help reduce and eliminate these contaminants and reduce the stress on your HVAC system. Ideally, you should have your ducts professionally cleaned every 3 to 5 years. If someone in the home suffers from allergies or asthma, you may want to have them cleaned every 2 years. You should also consider a professional duct cleaning if you are moving into a new home or have recently completed a remodeling project. In addition, the following are reasons to consider having your ducts professionally cleaned:

• If you suspect mold in your ducts.
• If you see excessive dust on your home’s furnishings shortly after “dusting”
• If you have an insect or rodent infestation in your home or see insects or rodents entering or leaving the duct work.
• If you notice black debris around the outside of your wall supply registers or ducts.
• If you notice significant dust buildup on air filters when you change them.

Overland Park Heating and Cooling is now partnering with Duct Doctor to offer professional duct cleaning services. Duct Doctor employs a patented truck-powered vacuum that is the most powerful in the industry. It is 30 to 40 times more powerful than rotary-brush type vacuums used by some other companies, which can actually do more harm than good, pulling debris and contaminants into your living space. Two Duct Doctor technicians will spend approximately 3 to 4 hours cleaning your vents. They will start by connecting the power vacuum to your home’s air handler using an 8-inch hose. Next, a high-velocity air sweeper, connected to a 200 psi air compressor, is inserted into the ductwork to dislodge dirt, debris and contaminants. Duct Doctor’s powerful vacuum then pulls all of the loosened contaminants safely out of your home and into the filter compartment on the truck.