Duct cleaning?

[George K]

Is this a scam, or is it something I need to tend to? We've always had radiant hot water heat until the condo.

[Loki]

@George-K said in Duct cleaning?:

Is this a scam, or is it something I need to tend to? We've always had radiant hot water heat until the condo.

Do you have allergies? Then maybe. Better to get hepa filters.

I think it’s a waste.

[Copper]

I have had the ducts cleaned and they showed us a pile of dust after doing it. This was after maybe 10 years of duct operation.

I have done it myself a removed a pile of dust. This was probably after 15 years of operation.

It probably makes the system more efficient and makes the air cleaner.

Of course the amount of dust will vary based on how the space is used. I think we did the cleaning after having some construction done that included dry wall installation.

[Axtremus]

I paid for one duct cleaning around the time I moved into a house with forced hot air heating and central air conditioning. Then additional cleanings roughly once every 5 years or so.

[Loki]

The EPA speaks.

https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/should-you-have-air-ducts-your-home-cleaned

[George K]

@Loki said in Duct cleaning?:

The EPA speaks.

Thanks for that....

You should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if:

There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system. There are several important points to understand concerning mold detection in heating and cooling systems:

Many sections of your heating and cooling system may not be accessible for a visible inspection, so ask the service provider to show you any mold they say exists.
You should be aware that although a substance may look like mold, a positive determination of whether it is mold or not can be made only by an expert and may require laboratory analysis for final confirmation. For about $50, some microbiology laboratories can tell you whether a sample sent to them on a clear strip of sticky household tape is mold or simply a substance that resembles it.
If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy it cannot be effectively cleaned and should be removed and replaced.
If the conditions causing the mold growth in the first place are not corrected, mold growth will recur.
Ducts are infested with vermin, e.g. (rodents or insects).

Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.

I'll pass...