Expert: Jan Hayner - 9/6/2008

Question
Dear Jan:

I have been having a terrible problem with dust in my home. One day I dust,
and the very next day there's a thin layer of fine new dust on the same
furniture. It occurred to me that I might need to have the ducts cleaned in my
home to lessen this problem, but I don't know if this will solve the problem.
Several months ago I had hard hardwood floors installed, but that was in the
lower level of my home. The dust is occurring in the upstairs where no
hardwood was installed although wall paper removal and drywall sanding did
occur upstairs. I did change the filters in my home shortly after the flooring,
but am now at a loss as to what the problem may be with the recurring dust.
Is there any help or suggestions you can provide me? Is duct cleaning a
reasonable solution to a dust cleaning problem? Also, what does duct
cleaning entail?


Thank you,

Pat

Answer
Hi Pat;
I do have some solutions for you and duct cleaning is just one of them.

According to the US Environmental  Protection Agency, "Duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing."

Air ducts should be cleaned every 3-5 years. However, since you had sanding done in your home, you will have an excess amount of dust in your air ducts and YES, it will make your house dirty.

A good way to tell if you have excess dust is to check your furnace filters. If they are clogging faster, chances are that your 'home' has excess dust and can benefit from an air duct cleaning. Y

You have to take into consideration also, that with windows and doors open during the summer months, you will have an excess amount of dirt. This year in Wisconsin we have had windy days more often, allergens in abundance and dry weather, which will also create more dust than normal. Even though duct cleaning can run in the $200-$500 range (get an estimate from 3 places)it is well worth the expense.

Bacteria can cause allergens to accumulate and dust mites to thrive, so it is a benefit to your health to invest in this once in a while.

If you burn candles in your home, you may also have an abundance of what is called 'candle sooting' in your air ducts. It is pulled into the cold air returns and can also cause black marks on carpeting around the register areas.

When a person remodels, such as you have done, just as heat rises, so does dust, so it is a sure thing that you will notice a difference in your upstairs area.

As an extra precaution after you have the ducts cleaned, I would suggest that you put a small filter on the inside of your registers to help grab that dust and dirt to help keep those duct clean longer. It is easier and cheaper to clean or replace a filter than it is to pay for duct cleaning.

I hope this helps you make your decision,
Jan