Should You Leave the House During Duct Cleaning?
Air duct cleaning is an important component of basic home maintenance. Cleaning the air ducts helps you maintain a hygienic environment in the home, takes unnecessary stress off the HVAC system, and reduce the risk of dirt and debris in the ducts catching fire. The team at Steve's has years of experience scouring all manner of pollutants from home ductwork and leaving our customers' homes safer and healthier than we found them.
Why You Should Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned
Air duct cleaning in Arvada, Thorton, and really the entire metro area is important for a wide variety of reasons. Here are just some of the benefits you'll enjoy when your ductwork is returned to a like-new state of clean by the pros at Steves:
Health Benefits
Cleaning the air ducts produces an array of health benefits, such as:
- A dramatic reduction in allergens and irritants circulating through the house: Over time, the air in the air ducts becomes laden with pollen and other allergens such as pet dander and mold spores. Professional duct cleaning removes these respiratory irritants from the system so you and everyone else in the house can breathe easier.
- Eliminating mystery odors: Oftentimes, a homeowner will notice an odor in the house that does not seem to have an obvious source. After their air ducts are cleaned, the mystery odor goes away, leaving the whole house smelling clean and fresh.
- Eliminating potentially toxic mold: Unbeknownst to many, there are several types of mold that can take root in the house whose spores can be toxic to humans if inhaled. These molds often hide in the ductwork. A thorough cleaning by the team at Steve's can eliminate these molds and create a healthier environment.
HVAC System Benefits
The HVAC system itself also enjoys several direct benefits as a result of cleaning the air ducts. Those benefits include:
- A more efficient system: Ductwork that is clogged with debris hinders the effective operation of your entire HVAC system, requiring it to work harder than it was designed to work. Cleaning the ducts restores the HVAC system to its intended efficiency.
- Reduced utility bills: Because the HVAC system is running more efficiently, it pulls less electricity. As a result, your monthly energy bill will likely be lower than before the cleaning.
- Longer life for your HVAC system: A system that does not have to operate beyond its intended limits is an HVAC system that is far more likely to last longer and require fewer repairs.
Home Safety and Maintenance Benefits
Cleaning your air ducts is the gift that keeps on giving, including these safety and maintenance benefits:
- Reduced risk of fire: Over time, all kinds of pollutants will accumulate in air ducts, including dust, lint, pollen and more. The longer these are allowed to accumulate, the greater the risk that they could touch off a fire in the ducts that could devastate your home. Air duct HVAC cleaning removes this fire risk.
- Elimination of pests: It's not at all uncommon that birds, rodents and more will take up residence in air ducts where they are safe from predators and shielded from bad weather. And while we sympathize with their plight, the fact is that pest droppings and other detritus can create a health hazard that circulates throughout the home. Having the ducts cleaned will rid your system of uninvited guests.
Overall Benefits of Professional Air Duct Cleaning
The sections above highlight how duct cleaning supports your health, your HVAC system, and overall home safety. The table below summarizes these advantages at a glance.
| Benefit Category | Key Advantages | What That Means for You |
|---|---|---|
| Health | Fewer allergens, less mold, and cleaner indoor air | Reduced respiratory irritation, fewer mystery odors, and a fresher-smelling home. |
| Comfort | More consistent airflow and better temperature balance | Rooms are more evenly heated or cooled, with fewer hot and cold spots. |
| HVAC Efficiency | Reduced airflow restrictions and cleaner components | Your system doesn’t have to work as hard, so it operates closer to its intended performance. |
| Energy Savings | Lower workload on the blower and furnace/AC | Improved efficiency can translate into lower monthly utility bills over time. |
| System Longevity | Less strain on motors, fans, and other parts | Fewer breakdowns and a longer useful life for your HVAC equipment. |
| Fire Safety | Removal of dust, lint, and debris from ducts | Reduced likelihood that accumulated contaminants could ignite inside the ductwork. |
| Pest Control | Clears out nests, droppings, and animal debris | Less risk of odors and airborne contaminants from birds, rodents, or insects in the ducts. |
| Home Value & Maintenance | Regular care of hidden infrastructure | Supports overall home maintenance, which can help preserve property value and appeal to future buyers. |
Check out this video showcasing some long-neglected ducts.
Cleaning the Air Ducts: How it Works
The team at Steve's is highly experienced and outfitted with all the latest technology for scouring the inside of ductwork in an efficient and effective way. Ours is a 4-step process that typically unfolds in the following manner:
- Step 1: Inspection - Before we can start cleaning your ducts, we have to know exactly what we are dealing with so we can choose the right equipment and techniques for the job.
- Step 2: Hooking up and employing the RAMAir System - The next step entails employing special vent attachments and a high-powered air jets and vacuums to loosen and remove the bulk of the debris.
- Step 3: Application of antimicrobial treatments - Depending on how dirty the ducts were, we may employ antimicrobial treatments to eliminate any bacteria or mold spores that survived step 2.
- Step 4: Quality control check - The final step in the cleaning process is inspecting the ducts to ensure they are squeaky clean and that your HVAC system is functioning properly.
Should You Leave the House During Duct Cleaning?
Our team of experts employs containment methods that ensure any residual from the cleaning process does not negatively affect the house in general. Therefore, it is completely safe for people to stay home while the cleaning process is underway. There may, however, be instances when someone might want to consider leaving the house for the duration of the cleaning. The reasons for leaving include:
- Respiratory issues: Different people have different levels of sensitivity to allergens. If you or someone in your family is highly sensitive to airborne respiratory irritants, they should consider leaving the home during the cleaning.
- Noise sensitivity: There is no getting around the fact that the equipment we use to clean your ducts can be quite loud. If the prospect of putting up with this noise for 3 or 4 hours doesn't agree with you, consider leaving and coming back after the cleaning is complete.
- Pet concerns: Pets are often several times more sensitive to odors and airborne irritants than humans. If the cleaning will include antimicrobial or deodorizing treatments, you might want to remove your pets from the house during cleaning.
The team at Steve's has a reputation for honesty and integrity dating back decades. Therefore, you may want to schedule errands you've been putting off for the time the cleaning is underway. But the choice is yours.
Wrap Up
Should you leave your house while having your air ducts cleaned? The truth is that for most people, there is no compelling reason why they should. However, if someone in the house has a high-degree of sensitivity to airborne allergens or you simply do not want to deal with the noise for the 3 or 4 hours it takes to clean your ducts, then you may want to leave. In addition, if you have pets, you might want to consider removing them from the house during the cleaning, especially if antimicrobial or deodorizing treatments are employed.
Get in Touch With Steve's
Steve's air vent cleaner service will restore your home's ductwork to a like-new state and leave your home fresher and healthier than before. If you would like to learn more or schedule a duct cleaning for your home, call Steve's at 720-419-7792 during regular business hours.
Start Breathing Easier.
Your air ducts are the lungs of your home and keeping them clean keeps you and your family healthier and your HVAC equipment working optimally.
