You can blame those shady contractors about duct cleaning if you want to

They’re the ones who may have misled you about what duct cleaning involves. They may have misrepresented its benefits – portraying it as “an emergency service” that everybody needs. And they may have tried to rush your decision while trying to distract you from seeing their credentials.

Northeast Florida needs more shady contractors like it needs another storm like Hurricane Matthew. Charlie’s is proud of our duct cleaning services – and our statewide reputation for excellence and integrity, We’re also happy to take those shady contractors to task and hold duct cleaning up to the light. Like Charlie’s, it can withstand the scrutiny.

Since Charlie’s also prizes credibility, we always reach out to industry experts – and not only those whom you might reasonably expect to support our point of view, such as the National Air Duct Cleaners Association. We also rely on completely impartial, third-party sources. On the topic of duct cleaning, we turn to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institutes of Health. Combined with Charlie’s 18 years of experience, you can separate four primary myths about duct cleaning from the facts. Consider:

Myth: Duct cleaning seems like a lot of fuss about basic vacuuming.

Fact: Duct cleaning actually is a deep-cleaning process. The EPA defines it as “the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing and the air handling unit housing.” Yes, duct cleaning requires vacuuming. But first, an expert duct cleaner uses specialized tools to dislodge dust, dirt and other debris. Then all this matter is swept away by a high-powered vacuum.

Myth: Ducts are so hidden and closed off that dust probably can’t get in there.

Fact: Dust is ubiquitous and settles everywhere else in your home, and your ducts are no exception.

• The EPA says: “You may consider having your air ducts cleaned simply because it seems logical that air ducts will get dirty over time and should occasionally be cleaned.” If you’re not in the habit of regularly checking and changing your HVAC filter, you can bet that some of the dust and dirt in the filter will shoot back into your ducts. For proof, look no further than “dust discharging from supply diffusers,” the agency says.
• The National Institutes of Health points to more than 20 years of reviews of indoor air quality. They note that they “did find clear evidence that duct work can be contaminated with dust and can act as a reservoir for microbial growth under normal operating conditions.”
• The National Air Duct Cleaners Association sensibly notes that “if your air ducts look dirty, they probably are.”

Myth: Even if dust is a problem, no one in my home has allergies, respiratory or other breathing problems. So I don’t have to worry about duct cleaning.

Fact: Take full measure of the all the experts’ advice about duct cleaning. In terms of health, balance three considerations:

• The EPA says that you might wish to consider duct cleaning if someone “suffers from allergies or unexplained symptoms or illnesses and if, after a visual inspection of the inside of the ducts, you see no indication that your air ducts are contaminated with large deposits of dust or mold.”
• At the same time, the EPA is careful to say that no direct correlation exists between duct cleaning and better health.
• Many physicians continue to recommend duct cleaning as a proactive step for all people.  Especially those who wish to reduce indoor air pollutants, can take to improve the quality of their indoor air.

You’ll be happy to know that the EPA, NIH, the duct cleaners’ association and Charlie’s are unanimous in saying that duct cleaning should be considered under the following circumstances:

• If you’re grappling with a mold problem, especially after a flooding incident.
• If you’ve just finished a dusty remodeling or renovation project in your home.
• If someone in your home smokes indoors.
• If you have a pet who sheds a great amount of hair or dander.
• If you suspect that insects or rodents have taken refuge in your ducts.
• If you find a clumps of dust underneath your registers.

Myth: The average consumer can’t tell one duct cleaning service from another.

Fact: Reputable duct cleaning experts like Charlie’s belong to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, which sets the industry standard for duct cleaning. It’s vital to ask for proof; the EPA notes that “A careless or inadequately trained service provider can damage your ducts or heating and cooling system, possibly increasing your heating and air conditioning costs or forcing you to undertake difficult and costly repairs or replacements.”

rCall Charlie’s Tropic for a consultation to determine if your  ducts should be cleaned.  We’ll inspect your ducts thoroughly, provide you with references and gladly hold all your good questions up to the light, which is exactly where they and all those shady contractors belong.