Air Duct & Vent Cleaning
How clean is the air in your home? Most people cannot answer this question with any certainty. The truth is there are many contaminants in the air we breathe, which can lead to or aggravate respiratory diseases and illnesses, such as asthma, allergies, a persistent cough or cold, headaches, nausea, and fatigue. And some of those contaminants may be circulating around your house because of a dirty heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Duct cleaning can reduce health risks
Mold, fungi, bacteria and allergens such as dust, pollen and pet dander can collect in your HVAC system and get circulated into the air you breathe, which can have negative consequences for your family's health. In fact, the American College of Allergy concluded that 50 percent of all illnesses are either caused by, or aggravated by, polluted indoor air.
So you can see the importance of having your HVAC system cleaned regularly. Aside from the health benefits, a clean HVAC system is more effective than a dirty system. It will also run more efficiently, which can reduce your energy bills. And a clean system will be less likely to break down and will have a longer lifespan. With a clean HVAC system, you may also reduce how often you need to dust your home.
Frequency of cleaning depends on individual factors
Industry standards recommend having your air ducts and vents inspected every two years, and having them cleaned every five to seven years, although this will vary according to the conditions of your home.
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) - the organization that provides training, education and certification which has set the standard in the American HVAC industry - does not recommend a specific time period between duct cleanings. Instead, it leaves the decision to the homeowner, and adds that certain factors may require more frequent cleanings. Factors such as smoking in the house, pets that shed lots of hair and dander, water contamination or damage to the home or HVAC system, residents with allergies or asthma who might benefit from a reduction in the amount of indoor air pollution, home renovations or remodeling. NADCA also recommends air duct cleaning prior to occupancy of a new home.
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Source removal methods are the standard
Make sure your duct cleaning contractor uses “source removal” methods, which are the most effective way of cleaning air ducts and ventilation systems. This method uses a specialized, powerful vacuum which sucks air and dirt through the system, while devices such as brushes, air whips, and “skipper balls” are inserted into the ducts to dislodge dirt and debris that are stuck on the inner surfaces. The vacuum systems should collect the dirt in a containment unit for later disposal. Any vacuum collection device that exhausts indoors must be HEPA filtered. Duct cleaning contractors should clean your registers, piping and ductwork, as well as the furnace air filters and blower motor.
Duct cleaning vacuums that are mounted on trucks and portable units can both clean to NADCA standards. Generally, truck-mounted vacuums are more powerful, although the portable units can be brought inside, closer to the ductwork, requiring less power. NADCA does not favor one type of equipment over the other.
Beware of “blow-and-go” companies
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the cost for duct cleaning services typically ranges from $450 to $1000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned, system accessibility, climactic region, and level of contamination. The type of duct material may also affect the price.
NADCA warns consumers to beware of “blow-and-go” air duct cleaning companies that charge a suspiciously low price. These companies do a poor job cleaning the heating and cooling system, and have been known to persuade homeowners into buying unneeded services.
Hiring guidelines for air duct cleaning contractors
When selecting an air duct cleaning contractor, get several contractors to inspect your HVAC system and give you a quote. Make sure that the company is going to clean and visually inspect all of the air ducts and related system components, and put the air duct system back together and clean up any remaining debris. Hire only NADCA members or contractors using source removal methods that follow NADCA guidelines. Get proof that the company is properly licensed and adequately insured, and check at least three references. And remember that an extremely low price usually means an inadequate cleaning job.
