Air Duct Sanitizing vs Deodorizing: When and Which Service Do You Need?

Deodorizing and sanitizing your air ducts are both essential maintenance services that you should be undertaking every few years, or even more frequently depending on how dusty or smelly your environment is. The process will vary slightly depending on what service you need, so this guide will break down the differences between sanitizing and deodorizing your HVAC system, when to do each one, and which services are included in each service package.

What is Air Duct Sanitizing

Air duct cleaning, commonly referred to as Air Duct Sanitizing or Air Duct Cleaning, is a procedure performed in order to remove harmful contaminants from commercial HVAC systems that can affect both indoor air quality and human health. It is a non-invasive process in which air ducts are cleaned using specialized equipment that effectively gets rid of dirt, debris, bacteria, mold, viruses and other unwanted pollutants.

How do Professionals Sanitize Air Ducts

There are several companies that offer sanitization services. They usually schedule a day for you to come in so they can treat all of your air ducts with germicides. The professionals will sanitize each and every air duct, including those located inside your furnace, A/C unit, vents, etc., to kill any dust mites or other living organisms that may be living inside. This treatment is designed to prevent these pests from coming back out of hiding once you turn your system back on again.

When Should You Choose Air Duct Sanitizing

A duct cleaning should be performed by a trained professional on an annual basis. This will clean out any built-up dust, dirt, and debris that has accumulated during your air conditioning’s cooling season. A professional duct cleaning will also sanitize your duct work to kill off any germs or bacteria that may have made their way into your system over time.

What is Air Duct Deodorizing

Air duct deodorizing is also called odor elimination. But, they are not all created equal. For example, baking soda, essential oils and charcoal filters will not work on bacteria and mold. If you want to permanently rid your home of any kind of unpleasant smells in your HVAC system then you’ll need to call a licensed service provider that specializes in air duct sanitizing.

How do Professionals Deodorize Air Ducts

It is not possible to effectively remove odors without thoroughly cleaning the ducts first. So once you've cleaned them, then you'll need to spray the inside of the ducts with deodorizer spray. Leave it to dry. This product is well-suited for residential buildings, offices, commercial properties, and other work spaces.

Some HVAC technicians have found the answer to solving odors to be through using a potent industrial odor controller. These deodorizers eliminate all sorts of odors from HVAC systems and provide a pleasing, perfumed smell. For all that this method is only applicable to large-scale commercial buildings.

When Should You Choose Air Duct Deodorizing

Odors are a fact of life, but that doesn’t mean they have to hang around. To give unwelcome odors an eviction notice, many professionals turn to air duct deodorizing. If you don’t have time for a deep cleaning or steam cleaning—or if it just isn’t cost-effective—you can hire air duct cleaners to do their job with chemicals.

The Bottom Line

If you’re moving into a new place, or your home smells musty, there may be odor-causing microorganisms lingering in your HVAC system. If you want to eliminate these odors once and for all, it may be time to hire a professional air duct cleaning service. But before hiring an HVAC company for any service, it’s always best to educate yourself about how each type of service works so that you can make an informed decision.