IS DUCT CLEANING WORTH IT?

Indoor air is often much more polluted than outdoor air. There is very little evidence, however, that duct cleaning improves a home’s air quality, according to the EPA and Health Canada.

That said, there are times when duct cleaning makes sense. “When you move into a new house where someone else has been living— maybe with pets—it makes sense to do it,“said Rick Welter, an

HVAC contractor in Minneapolis. “Duct cleaning gets rids of that

‘ick factor.’ ”

Another good time is after major remodeling or new construction, he said. “I’ve seen too many guys use vents like a garbage can. They sweep from the floor right into them.” Rodents are not typically a problem, nor is mold, he added.

To inspect a duct, remove the vent cover and shine a light into the opening. “Most people will find there’s nothing there.”