How to Choose an Air Duct Cleaning Service or

Why Carpet Cleaners Should Stick to Carpet and Fabric Cleaning.

People who want to improve the air quality in their home and prevent against the contamination that can occur in air ducts due to dust, pollen, debris, or other microbiological growth, will often choose to hire a professional air duct cleaning service. Because of the health risks that contaminated air ducts pose, it is important to have your air ducts properly installed, maintained and cleaned on a regular basis by a qualified technician. When deciding on an air duct cleaning service, you should choose one that is experienced and qualified to perform air duct cleaning services and that has the technology and know-how to clean all of the components of your home's air duct system.

Because of the importance of having your air ducts professionally cleaned, be sure to hire a service that is fully qualified to perform air duct cleaning and that meets all of the standards set out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) is a good resource for finding companies that meet national standards for cleaning technologies and practices. When contacting a potential air duct cleaning service, you may also want to ask for a list of customer referrals and contact information for customers who have used their services. And finally, make sure that you check with your local Better Business Bureau to find out if there have been any formal complaints lodged against the company. 

Companies that offer air duct cleaning services can be found throughout the country and will usually be able to send a representative to your home to discuss your air duct cleaning needs and to set up a time to have the work done. You may be able to find out information on different air duct cleaning services online, though smaller, local companies will usually advertise their services through direct mailings or other advertisements. When meeting with a representative to discuss your cleaning needs, be sure to get specific information on the air duct cleaning services that are offered, the charges for the different services, and the times that they are available to perform those services.

A complete air duct cleaning service should include the cleaning and removal of dust and debris from all of the components of your air duct system including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.  Most companies will use specialized tools to dislodge the dust and debris form the air ducts and then suck them out using a high-powered vacuum.  (Carpet cleaning companies seldom have the expertise or equipment to fully service your HVAC system.) 

Some companies may suggest the use of chemical biocides to kill and remove contamination, although the effectiveness and safety of these types of treatments have yet to be completely tested.   Any company suggesting the application of a biocide should be properly licensed to do so.  While some companies may charge a set rate of air duct cleaning services, others may charge per hour of work.

In that case, be sure to get an estimate of the amount of time it will take to complete the work. Feel free to solicit estimates from multiple service providers in order to get the best price on air duct cleaning. Having your air ducts cleaned on a regular basis can often prevent the development of microbiological contamination that can affect the quality of air in your home.