(NAPSI)—According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), up to 40 pounds of dust is created annually in a typical six-bedroom home, which raises the question, is duct cleaning important to indoor air quality (IAQ)? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts.

So, before scheduling duct cleaning, both NADCA and EPA recommend visually inspecting your home’s ductwork, using a small mirror and flashlight or a digital camera to photograph the inside of the duct. If you find evidence of animal infestation, mold growth or excessive amounts of dust and debris clogging the duct, you should first address the source of the problem and then consider having your ducts cleaned.

As you interview companies to clean your ducts, be certain they:

• are experienced in duct cleaning and have worked on systems like yours.

• will use procedures to protect you, your pets and your home from contamination.

• comply with NADCA’s air duct cleaning standards, and, if your ducts are constructed of fiberglass duct board or insulated internally with fiberglass duct liner, with North American Insulation Manufacturers Association’s (NAIMA) recommendations.

• hold relevant state licenses.

It’s also a good idea to check references and contact your county or city office of consumer affairs or local Better Business Bureau to determine if complaints have been lodged against the companies you are considering.

If you choose to have your ducts cleaned, you should expect the service provider to:

• Inspect the system for asbestos-containing materials, which require specialized procedures.

• Clean the entire system. NADCA recommends cleaning air ducts, coils, drain pans, registers, grills, air plenum, blower motor and assembly, heat exchanger, air filter and air cleaner.

• Use vacuum equipment that exhausts particles outside of the home, or use only high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuuming equipment if the vacuum exhausts inside.

• Use well-controlled brushing of duct surfaces in conjunction with contact vacuum cleaning to dislodge dust and other particles.

• Use only soft-bristled brushes for fiberglass duct board and sheet metal ducts internally lined with fiberglass.

• Protect ductwork, including sealing and reinsulating access holes the service provider may have made or used so they are airtight.

• Follow NADCA’s standards for air duct cleaning and NAIMA’s recommended practice for ducts containing fiberglass lining or constructed of fiberglass duct board.

NADCA recommends inspecting your system every two years to determine whether it needs to be cleaned again. In the meantime, regularly change the air filters in your home comfort system. Also, consider installing products designed to improve your home’s IAQ. The Coleman® brand of Johnson Controls offers a complete line of IAQ products, including whole-house humidifiers and dehumidifiers, ultraviolet irradiation systems, and heat and energy recovery ventilators.

To learn more, visit www.colemanac.com, follow the company at www.youtube.com/ColemanHomeComfort and @ColemanHVAC on Twitter or call 877-874-7378.

On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)