"Bob 4 inch filters are not a better filter, they have more surface area and last longer. If you look the the MERV rating of the 4 in filters they are in the range of an 8 or 10. That is mid level filtering.
Furnace filters are a…"
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Duct Cleaning? Good value or a waste of money?
21 Replies
I have lots of my auditing customers who ask me about duct cleaning, and if they should do it. It seems like the only way to get them really clean is with some sort of roto brush, but it also seems…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Robert H Dec 22, 2012.
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Curt Kinder replied to Gordon Smith's discussion Duct Cleaning? Good value or a waste of money?"I agree that rodent droppings should trigger cleaning. In the case of flex duct, it may be cost effective to replace rather than attempt cleaning."
Curt Kinder replied to Gordon Smith's discussion Duct Cleaning? Good value or a waste of money?"What's the equation? How does one measure the variables?"
Ed Voytovich replied to Gordon Smith's discussion Duct Cleaning? Good value or a waste of money?"In the beginning of the HPES program here in Syracuse, the good people sent out by NY State to teach us what we needed to know about home performance tended to underestimate the value of duct cleaning. As it turns out, a dozen or so…"
Kevin Wood replied to Gordon Smith's discussion Duct Cleaning? Good value or a waste of money?"The only time I will recommend duct cleaning is when it is evident mice and mouse dropping are found in the vents. I also recommend top filtration the furnace can provide along with HRV or ERV system."
Curt Kinder replied to Gordon Smith's discussion Duct Cleaning? Good value or a waste of money?"The failure mechanism for that is often a neglected thin 1" filter that loads up with dust and then is collapsed by the increased pressure drop across it. Then dirty air bypasses the filter, coating the coil, especially in summer when coil is…"
Bob Blanchette replied to Gordon Smith's discussion Duct Cleaning? Good value or a waste of money?"I've seen some A-coils and blower wheels that are downright NASTY. Mostly in older systems that were a rental property at some time."
Curt Kinder replied to Gordon Smith's discussion Duct Cleaning? Good value or a waste of money?"I do not advocate duct cleaning for many of the reasons listed above. There is way too much scare-mongering going on, I suspect mostly by contractors who have bought into a pricey duct cleaning doohickey and now need to make the payments on it.
I do…"
Tom Delconte replied to Gordon Smith's discussion Duct Cleaning? Good value or a waste of money?"For whatever reason, I've never found any dirt in my ducts, not even after new construction. Ditto for coils, maybe a little dust entrained, not even worth cleaning. So much for that industry!"
Gordon Smith's discussion was featuredDuct Cleaning? Good value or a waste of money?
I have lots of my auditing customers who ask me about duct cleaning, and if they should do it. It seems like the only way to get them really clean is with some sort of roto brush, but it also seems like that process is going to possibly do more damage than good. Obviously this really depends on the duct system and the quality of the craftsmanship, but I was just looking for the Pro's opinions. Thanks!See More
Bob Blanchette replied to Gordon Smith's discussion Duct Cleaning? Good value or a waste of money?"Do you think it's worth cleaning the ducts w/o doing the coil?"
Allan Mullaly replied to Gordon Smith's discussion Duct Cleaning? Good value or a waste of money?"Duct cleaning is not a waste of money at all. It is a return of money in the shape of good health. So it is so important to maintain it in good condition."
Bob Blanchette replied to Gordon Smith's discussion Duct Cleaning? Good value or a waste of money?"The reason coil cleaning doesn't get done is because it's labor intensive, therefore expensive for homeowners to have done. In an effort to increase SEER ratings and make them in compact sizes coils have more fins per inch and more…"
Chris Heenan replied to Gordon Smith's discussion Duct Cleaning? Good value or a waste of money?"Forget the ducts. Dig deeper and get to your evaporator coils (or indoor coils if you like). WHY?
Beautiful shinny fins on the top of the A-coil are hiding a monster within! Even when scoped by a camera in the duct usually the…"
Ed Minch replied to Gordon Smith's discussion Duct Cleaning? Good value or a waste of money?"My coments of 10 days ago still stand. Note that the EPA says
"EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned except on an as-needed basis because of the continuing uncertainty about the benefits of duct cleaning under most…"
Ed Voytovich replied to Gordon Smith's discussion Duct Cleaning? Good value or a waste of money?"Based on the results of my own duct cleaning that was done by a highly competent and meticulous team I would strongly recommend the service in older houses, houses with pets, and houses where occupants have respiratory issues. My house was build in…"
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