September 26, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 27 (ARA) Imagine 40 pounds of dust spread throughout your home, pushed into the air for you and your family to breathe up to seven times a day, via your heating and cooling system. Unfortunately, there is a high possibility that this is the exact situation in your house right now. Through normal occupation in a home, contaminants such as dander, dust, and chemicals are generated. In a typical sixroom home, up to 40 pounds of dust is created annually through everyday living, according to NADCA: The HVAC Inspection, Maintenance, and Restoration Association. These contaminants are pulled into the HVAC system and re-circulated five to seven times per day, on average. Your heating and cooling system can be considered the lungs of your home, taking in air and “breathing” it out. Generally, the cleaner the lungs, the cleaner the indoor air. That is why it is important to get a quality HVAC cleaning done on a regular basis by a professional who will do the job the right way. Consider the following tips when hiring an HVAC professional: Beware of companies that use scare tactics. Some companies tell homeowners their homes have mold and other toxic substances in the HVAC systems. Some of these claims are false and used to inflate the bill. Watch out for bait-and-switch situations. Some companies might come to your home Tips for those considering air duct cleaning removing a floor register and taking a picture with a digital camera. A proper cleaning should not only involve a big hose stuck in your home’s ductwork, but also actual cleaning of the HVAC components. Homeowners should run through a checklist with the duct cleaner they hire to ensure everything is done properly. A through checklist is available at www. nadca.com. Cleaning your HVAC system can have many potential benefits. In addition to reducing contaminants and providing your home with better indoor air quality, you may also enjoy energy savings. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 25 to 40 percent of the energy used for heating or cooling a home is wasted. A clean HVAC system does not have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature, and therefore, less energy is used, helping save money on utilities. for a very reasonable price, but once they are in, either do a subpar job, or switch to much higher cost cleaning services that often are not up to industry standards. Look for a professional who is a member of NADCA. Members include HVAC industry professionals, including air systems cleaning specialists, mold remediators, and HVAC inspectors who follow strict industry standards. All members must have a certified Air System Cleaning Specialists on staff. Visit www.nadca.com to find a local member company. Remember: Not every house needs an HVAC cleaning. A quality company will do an inspection first and recommend a complete cleaning only if necessary. They should be able to point out debris buildup that is visible to the human eye, such as by