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(NAPSI)—While professionally cleaned ductwork can be like a breath of fresh air to many houses, there are a few facts you should know when it's time to have your home's air ducts cleaned.

1. In a typical six-room home, up to 40 pounds of dust are created annually through everyday living. Your heating and cooling system is the lungs of your home. The dander, dust, chemicals and other contaminants are pulled into the HVAC system, where they can build up and possibly contribute to health problems, especially for people with respiratory conditions, autoimmune disorders or allergies.

If your ducts look dirty, they probably are and should be inspected by a reputable, certified HVAC professional.

2. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 25 to 40 percent of the energy used for heating or cooling a home is wasted. Contaminants in the heating and cooling system cause it to work harder and shorten the life of your system. A clean HVAC system doesn't have to work as hard so it uses less energy.

3. When you do hire a professional cleaner, ask if it belongs to NADCA, a trade association of the HVAC inspection, maintenance and restoration industry. Its members have signed a Code of Ethics and invested time and resources into industry-related training and education. They also have general liability insurance.

4. You should be aware that some non-NADCA companies use scare tactics and "bait and switch" methods to squeeze money out of their clients or don't clean the HVAC system at all, let alone to the industry's standards.

How To Tell You're Getting A Professional Cleaner

• Is the company able to show proof of NADCA membership and certification?

• Is the contractor willing to conduct a thorough inspection of the HVAC system prior to per- forming any work and disclose any problems discovered?

• Will the contractor clean the supply and return air ductwork, the airstream side of the heat exchanger and the secondary heat exchanger?

• After cleaning, are access panels properly sealed; blower blades and compartment clean and free of oil, dust and debris? Point a flashlight into the cooling coil. Does light shine through? It should if the coil is clean. Check to make sure the coil fins are straight and evenly spaced and the coil drain pan is clean and that it is draining properly. Do the filters fit properly and are they the proper efficiency recommended by the manufacturer?

You can get free brochures about HVAC inspection, maintenance and restoration as well as a complete checklist and more information online at http://nadca.com.