Is Air Duct Cleaning Worth It for New Homeowners?

Moving into your new home should be a fresh start, clean and welcoming.

That being said, without an inspection of the indoor air quality in your space, hidden dust, allergens and pollutants from past occupants may remain. New homeowners are looking forward to life in a cleaner and healthier home, and air duct cleaning can often be an important first step to that peace of mind.

In this post, we will go into why cleaning air ducts prior to moving in is important, health effects and how to prepare for a clean slate.

Why Should You Clean Air Ducts Before Moving In?

Air ducts are often the least considered when you move into a new home, yet they can harbor years of dust, pet dander, pollen and other contamination that were left behind by former homeowners. Left unaddressed, these pollutants will be spread throughout your new environment, and even coursing through your air conditioning system.

Clean air ducts have more than just fresh air in the game, and a proper vent cleaning provides more than one advantage.

Many people with allergy problems, asthma, or other respiratory issues will find that clean air ducts and vents reduce the exposure to irritants and allergens. Studies have found indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air, and particulates that become trapped in ductwork can exacerbate symptoms in sensitive individuals.

Bacteria, mold in air ducts, and smoke are just some of the contaminants that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized long ago as having an important effect on indoor air quality; hence, air duct cleaning is a necessary process for guiding ourselves towards a better and healthier life.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Air Duct Cleaning

One not-often-discussed benefit of clean air ducts is energy efficiency.

Dirty air ducts cost you more — if dust, dirt and lint clog your ducts, your HVAC systems including your furnace and air conditioning units have to work harder, and a higher energy bill is the result.

When air can flow more freely through a clean duct system, it means your HVAC system won’t need to work as hard to maintain temperature. All of these aspects combine over time to decrease energy costs and mitigate the occurrence of unexpected HVAC failures that may be costly to address.

Signs Your New Home’s Air Ducts Need Cleaning

Look for signs that it might need a professional cleaning before you move in. If you experience any of these problems, the air duct cleaning should be scheduled:

• Dusty Vents: Too much dust around the vents or blowing from the ducts as the HVAC runs is a dead giveaway for buildup.
• Odor: If you smell mustiness (and other odors) when the HVAC system is on, it potentially indicates mold or other trapped contaminants in the ductwork.
• Visible Mold or Mildew: Black or green spots around, or in, vents could indicate mold, which needs to be dealt with immediately.
• Frequent Dust Buildup in the House: If surfaces appear to gather dust at a frightening rate of speed, it could indicate dirty air ducts.

Identifying these signals prior to your move-in could allow you time to adjust or take measures to mitigate any airborne polluting particles that may be damaging to your health, especially in humid or construction dust prevalent locations.

Why You Should Invest in Professional Air Duct Cleaning

Though the DIY route can be appealing, air duct and dryer vent cleaning professionals can you just the thoroughness you cannot achieve by yourself. A member of the ThoroClean air duct cleaning service team can also assess, clean, and sanitize the system, removing particles DIY tools may not get.

HVAC cleaning services are important because they use compressed air and HEPA vacuums to pull the dirt, debris and pollen. Regular cleaning of our dryer vent by trained professionals is recommended for safety reasons, as accumulated lint can be hazardous in terms of fire; and to ensure all systems work optimally and our HVAC runs correctly and effectively.

ThoroClean is a company that will always deliver a quality service; our technicians have years of experience and expertise for knowing exactly how to find where your air quality problems can come from, and we do so using modern equipment and techniques to clean out dust, debris and everything in between of your air ducts, dryer vents and HVAC system.

We are a family-owned business with local clients, meaning we are an honest company that focuses on transparent communication with you and delivering results that you can immediately see, smell, and feel.

Final Thoughts

One of the most essential steps to ensuring air quality, health, and energy efficiency in a new home is to have the air ducts cleaned before moving in.

By removing dust, allergens, and other contaminants, you’re prep-ping for a healthier home that your friends and family will thank you for on the first day. Cleaning up the central air vent decreases air pollution, so you can live comfortably in your new house.

Call ThoroClean in Albuquerque to find out how our expertise will ensure a clean, fresh start in your new home.