Imperial, California (NAPSI) - There’s good news for homeowners. Having a home’s HVAC system inspected by a reputable, certified HVAC professional can help them breathe a sigh of relief by helping the system to work more efficiently.

That’s the word from experts who say a heating and cooling system functions much like the lungs of a home, taking air in and breathing air out. As a result, in a typical six-room home, up to 40 pounds of dust are created annually just through everyday living.

Through normal occupation in a home, consumers generate a great deal of contaminants and air pollutants, such as dander, dust and chemicals. These contaminants are pulled into the HVAC system and recirculated five to seven times per day, on average. Over time, this recirculation causes a buildup of contaminants in the ductwork.

While dirty ducts don’t necessarily mean unhealthy air in your home, school or workplace, they may be contributing to larger health issues or harboring contaminants that could cause serious problems for people with respiratory health conditions, autoimmune disorders or some environmental allergies.

Energy Savings

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 a system. Although filters are used, the heating and cooling system still gets dirty through normal use.

When an HVAC system is clean, it doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the temperature you desire. As a result, less energy is used, leading to improved cost effectiveness.

Choosing a NADCA Member

Trade associations are a way for members of an industry to promote higher standards and performance. NADCA is a trade association comprised of about 1,200 companies in the HVAC inspection, maintenance and restoration industry who have signed the NADCA Code of Ethics. These members have also invested time and resources into industry-related training and education.

Hiring a NADCA member can provide consumers with an added level of security, since members possess general liability insurance and have at least one person on staff who is trained and certified. NADCA requires that all members have at least one certified Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) on staff, and they must clean and restore your heating and cooling system in accordance with NADCA standards and guidelines.

To learn more, visit www.nadca.com.