Your furnace and air ducts have been shown to act as a collection source for a variety of
contaminants that have the potential to affect health, such as mold, fungi, bacteria, and very
small particles of dust and debris. The removal of such contaminants from the heating system
and home should be considered as one component in an overall plan to improve indoor air quality.

Research has demonstrated that furnace and duct cleaning will help systems to run more efficiently
by removing debris from sensitive mechanical components. Clean, efficient systems are less likely
to break down, have a longer life span, and generally operate more effectively that dirty systems.

The frequency of cleaning depends on several factors, not the least of which is the preference
of the homeowner. Some factors that affect how often a cleaning is done include:

• Smokers in the household
• Pets that shed high amounts of hair and dander
• Residents with allergies or asthma
• Excessive carpeting/older carpeting
• Recent construction or renovations

The most effective way to clean air ducts and ventilation systems is to employ Source Removal
methods of cleaning. This requires a us to place the system under negative pressure,
through the use of a specialized vacuum and covering the registers. While the vacuum draws air
through the system, air pressure is blown down the vents and a rubber whip is inserted into the
ducts to dislodge any debris that might be stuck to interior surfaces. The debris can then travel
down the ducts to the vacuum, which removes it from the system and the home.

Cleaning the furnace and duct work is only one component that affects your indoor air quality.

A proper cleaning will significantly reduce the amount of dust that is being re-circulated
by the furnace. It is important to remove or clean the sources of dust existing in your home
regularly so that this dust and debris is not drawn into the duct system by the furnace. This
includes carpeting, draperies, furniture, bedding and behind and on top of appliances.