How to Clean Air Ducts Using Ozone
In moist, humid air ducts, organisms like mold, fungi, mildew and bacteria grow. When heating and cooling systems push air through these contaminated ducts, they can blow the organisms into the air, which may cause allergies and other illnesses in those breathing the air. To reduce the potential associated health risks, businesses often have their air ducts cleaned by professionals using chemicals like ozone (though cleaning air ducts has never been proven to prevent health problems). Unfortunately, the level of ozone required to kill the organisms growing in air ducts is, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), high enough to irritate the lungs of those breathing it in. This is why such cleaning occurs over the weekend when office buildings are closed, allowing the amount of ozone to return to a safe level before Monday morning.
The value of cleaning home air ducts is debatable, as is the necessary use of ozone to do so. You may purchase an ozone generator to clean your air ducts, but the EPA strongly advises against it. According to the EPA, "Results of some controlled studies show that concentrations of ozone considerably higher than these standards are possible even when a user follows the manufacturer's operating instructions."
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Things You'll Need
- Ozone generator
- Contact information for a professional air duct cleaner
Instructions
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Determine whether or not your air ducts should be cleaned. Though allergens may be blown into the air through your ducts, most mold, mildew, fungi and bacteria particles remain stuck to the duct walls. If you can see mold growth on the hard surfaces of your ducts (and can prove it is indeed mold by having it tested), if your air ducts are home to vermin or if excessive amounts of dust and debris are clogging the ducts, consider cleaning your air ducts.
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Clean your ducts yourself using an ozone generator; however, be aware of the risk you are taking by doing so. For example, though you may follow the manufacturer's instructions about the level of ozone the machine is using, the EPA says "many factors affect the indoor concentration of ozone so that under some conditions ozone concentrations may exceed public health standards." These factors include the size of the room in which the device is used, the proximity of the user to the device, the amount of ventilation, and the device's control settings.
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Hire a professional to clean your air duct using ozone. Be prepared to vacate your home to allow the amount of ozone to return to a safe level.
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Keep your ozone-cleaned air ducts clean by using few (if any) products that cause indoor pollution, controlling humidity and moisture in your home, and practicing good housekeeping.
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Tips & Warnings
Safe levels of ozone have not been proven effective when used inside ducts to kill organisms. Some people may experience adverse health reactions to ozone.
