Have you ever checked your registers? Brad Cowger, owner of Air Duct Cleaning of Iowa in Urbandale, recommends that you do exactly that. Many people don’t realize that regardless of how clean their house may be, this is something that needs to be done. He explains: “Many property owners don’t know that a problem of blocked and dirty air ducts in their homes even exists. They can’t see it. I always suggest that you take off a register cover and check it out. If there’s a layer of dust on the inside of that cover, those air ducts need cleaning.”

Just as many of us are surprised by what we discover when we check our registers, we might be equally surprised to discover the wide array of services Air Duct Cleaning of Iowa offers. The important bonus, Brad says, is that all of these services have benefits to both our health and our pocketbooks, as well as to the general cleanliness of our dwellings.

Let’s first take a look at what an actual air duct cleaning is. The company’s Web site at www.airductcleaningofiowa.com makes a comparison. It says that air ducts are “the respiratory system of your home.” Just as we breathe in not only air, but also things in the air, a home’s air duct system “breathes in” dust, dirt, pollen, animal dander, and other airborne contaminates every time a furnace or air-conditioner runs. Over time, these contaminates build up inside the ductwork, impacting the health and comfort of the people living in the dwelling.

The ducts become a breeding ground for mold spores, bacteria, fungus, mildew, and other microbes, according to the Web site. (You might want to check out the Web site for some convincing photos). These all re-circulate through a home, rendering everyone susceptible to the effects of indoor air pollution. Those who suffer from allergies, asthma, and other respiratory ailments, children, and the elderly are especially vulnerable.

The solution? Air duct cleaning, says Brad. This service provides a cleaner living and working environment by dramatically reducing dust and other airborne debris. Plus, utility bills can go down and equipment longevity rates can go up because the system is operating more efficiently, he adds.

Brad tells me about why he began doing this type of work: “I started this business from scratch five years ago after my sister had an unfortunate experience at her farmhouse. She’d contacted someone who not only did a poor job, but also charged her much more than the amount his ad promoted. I knew I could do a better job on both counts, so I bought the necessary equipment and got started. My three employees and I pride ourselves on not only the service we offer, but also the honesty and integrity with which we offer it. There are no surprises with us. We’re up-front and honest about what we can do and what it will cost.”

Sara, a satisfied client, can attest to the company’s quality of service and honesty. She explains: “I learned about Brad and his company from advertisements. All of us at our house were suffering from regular, unexplained bouts of upper respiratory infections. We hired Brad to clean our air ducts and to set up the UV light on our furnace, which gets to the germs, etc., before they enter the system. Once we took advantage of Brad’s services, our family’s respiratory issues disappeared. We were very happy with Brad’s professionalism. He was here when he said he would be, did the cleaning job he said he would, and charged what he said he would. I tell everyone about Brad and heartily recommend him.”

You might be wondering about the UV light that Sara mentions above. It is called “Silent Light.” It uses powerful ultraviolet light to help reduce and kill mold, bacteria, viruses, and other airborne invaders by causing photochemical damage to the DNA and RNA within those organisms, Brad explains. The use of the ultraviolet light for air purification has been proven effective in hospitals, schools, day care centers, restaurants, and hotels, and is often recommended by doctors.

The light is mounted inside the home’s heating and cooling ductwork. It mounts with a twist and lock so it’s easy to change, and it will plug into any standard 120-volt outlet. When we consider that the air inside our homes is up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air, and that the problem can actually be worse in newer, energy-efficient homes because they keep fresh air out, it might be enough impetus to run out and get this UV protection, Brad comments.

Air Duct Cleaning of Iowa can also provide products for your furnace and air-conditioner filter needs. The air filters Brad uses, which are called Air-Care Electrostatic Filters, contain an EPA-registered anti-microbial material to inhibit mold and bacteria growth on the filter surface. In addition, in order to sanitize a system after cleaning it, Brad uses a product called Envirocon. It is designed to be antibacterial, viruicidal, tuberculocidal, and fungicidal. It effectively eliminates mold and mildew and is an excellent deodorizer, Brad says. It is registered with the U.S. EPA for use in air systems, and has a six-month residual life.

Last but never least, the company can clean your dryer vents. As the Web site states: “Dryer vent cleaning should be performed every six months to three years, depending on many factors such as dryer efficiency, length of the duct, and the number of turns in the duct. Most homeowners do not think about dryer vent cleaning until their dryer stops working or overheats and causes a fire. Some have even purchased a new dryer thinking the old one was worn-out, only to find that the new dryer didn’t work any better because the dryer vent was clogged with lint.” Dryers cause over 24,000 fires and more than $84.4 million in property damage every year, Brad points out. They also account for an average of 310 injuries annually due to the combination of dirty, clogged outlet lines and dirt within the appliance.

Brad says that not only can the cleanliness of your home’s registers and their corresponding duct-ways make a big impact on your life, but it’s also necessary to supplement that work with new air-conditioning/heating filters, sanitization, and clean dryer ducts.

Contact Brad today at 278-5015, or e-mail him at airductsofiowa@aol.com. Air Duct Cleaning of Iowa is a member of the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau.