House duct cleaning vs dust allergy

Post by **matthew1** » 23 Dec 2019, 09:24

Duct cleaning service: worth the $? I imagine it would run a few hundred.

Gas furnace, modern but not new.

I put in a new fancy filter, no difference.

I start sneezing when it blows air.

I use flo-nase and run a humidifier.

No idea when the ducts were cleaned last. Could be a decade or two.

I don’t think I have an alternative really.

Post by **June** » 23 Dec 2019, 11:57

No, just a waste of money. If you want to have cleaner air install the Honeywell electric air cleaner and say goodbye to dust and filters forever!!! June

Post by **June** » 23 Dec 2019, 12:12

Accept no other brand as none are as good or easy to clean. Notice the insert is divided down the middle? That's so it can fit into the dishwasher for cleaning. A/C guys will try to sell you "their better brand" but don't fall for it. My first house had a A/C system installed in 1972 with the electric air cleaner. I had it removed in 1998 and all ducts were still orange inside. Not a sign of dust or debris! That house never had dust. The new A/C system was installed with washable electrostatic filters and suddenly I had dust and allergies. Sold that house in 99 and immediately installed a Honeywell in the new house. I have had the Honeywell installed in three more houses with always the same result. No more allergies and nearly no dust. I do keep the fan in the on position to keep the air flowing 24/7 though that's not necessary. My sister installed a new system this year and took my advice and insisted a Honeywell over the A/C guy's brand and she says it's the best money she has spent on her house. June

Phainein7 · Post by **Phainein7** » 23 Dec 2019, 12:16

matthew1 wrote: ↑23 Dec 2019, 09:24 Duct cleaning service: worth the $?

It depends if their equipment can clean it all.

HEPA like filter can filter air, but if ducts are dirty, air will still be "dirty." I know filters are used on the suction side, but I don't know if they can be installed on outgoing "pressure" side.

If house has AC, chances are, the evaporator is dirty. It's wet with moisture when running, so dirt/etc will be embedded into it. Sometimes, an evaporator can be accessed, and cleaned.

Need to ask duct cleaning company what they can clean.

Post by **matthew1** » 24 Dec 2019, 12:55

Thanks June and Painein7 for your wisdom.

So after hours of research about what works here in Denver (thin air, dry dry air), I started with the low hanging fruit: cleaning as much as I could, both floors and ducts.

Post by **matthew1** » 24 Dec 2019, 12:58

That’s our main return. That’s as far as I could reach. I have vacuum cleaner extenders coming soon.

Post by **matthew1** » 24 Dec 2019, 12:58

Our rig.

Post by **June** » 24 Dec 2019, 16:00

matthew1 wrote: ↑24 Dec 2019, 12:58 That’s our main return. That’s as far as I could reach. I have vacuum cleaner extenders coming soon.

Perhaps a long compressed air hose with a spray nozzle on the end could blow the rest loose? You could tie strap it to a long pcv pipe for control. Just a thought?. June

The electric air cleaner works with the same principle as the ionic breeze only on a serious scale. The dirty air passes through fine wires charged either positive or negative not sure, then passes charged through what looks like a intercooler coils charged opposite which attracts the particles. It snaps and crackles as it zapps the debris. The best part is no more buying filters which can get expensive at $25-$35 for a decent 3M. All those $20s add up. June

Post by **matthew1** » 24 Dec 2019, 16:03

Nice thinking. Not a bad idea.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! And thanks for being here, June!

Post by **matthew1** » 24 Dec 2019, 16:06

By the way, I've sneezed twice (two sneezes each) in the ~5 hours since I cleaned and got the new humidifier running. Easily a new record.

Before today, it would have been 20, maybe more sneezes.

I also ordered new hypoallergenic pillow protectors https://amzn.to/2EQQw54