Sep 14, 2009 – People who want to fight mold problems around their home can start by investing in a good dehumidifier. However, that’s not the only strategy to follow when trying to maintain indoor air quality and fight off mold and mildew. A recent article in the Palm Beach Post focuses on the importance of keeping one’s air conditioning ducts cleaned. The report warns that some “fly by night” companies have been advertising in the area, offering dubious value for their services, and in some cases, unnecessary features that purport to target mold and other problems. One local business owner, Sidney Talavera, told the Post that a reputable company will charge between $400 and $1,000 to clean ducts in a house as large as 2,000 square feet. He also says that a home’s vents should be cleaned every five years.
Overall, dirty or clogged vents can be a source of air quality problems because they allow a way for mold spores and other contaminants to be spread throughout an entire home. Otherwise, such problems may be more confined to moisture prone areas like the basement. While proper ventilation maintenance is important, many homeowners also find a dehumidifier or other energy efficient air purifiers to be useful.