Air Duct Cleaning

 Why should I get my air ducts cleaned?

Here are the main reasons why you should consider having your air ducts cleaned by a pro (hopefully us!):

• Remodeling - We all know that this is a messy process. Lots of dirt, dust (wood, stone, etc.) and debris is created or tracked into them home during remodels, and it is best to get the air ducts cleaned after the project is completely finished along with the rest of the clean up process.
• Buying/selling a home - This is often a closing requirement, but not always. If you are the seller/landlord, it is worth getting this done to not only help your property stand out, but to also help avoid delays in closing. If you are the buyer/tenant and the air ducts were not cleaned before closing, you should consider having them cleaned. You don't know who lived in that space before you or what might be contaminating your home's air (air ducts often tell a story you may not want to hear!). You wouldn't want to walk on the previous owner's pet stained carpet or sleep on their pillow, right? Well, we think it is wise to apply that same logic to the air ducts - don't breathe their contaminated air!
• Allergies/sensitivities - Allergies can cause runny/stuffy noses, headaches, itchy/watery eyes, or even coughing and sneezing. Cleaning the air ducts will dramatically help, and for those who want the best results, request disinfectant as well!
• New air handler installation - Many installers will recommend that you get your air ducts cleaned either before or immediately following installation. The reason for this is that they want the unit they just installed for you to work at it's peak performance for as long as possible. If the new unit is immediately put under stress of dirty air ducts and air restriction then it won't perform as well, or last as long.
• Birth of a child - For some, it is easy to overlook air duct cleaning because they may not be sensitive to air contaminants. Babies, on the other hand, are significantly more sensitive to everything, including air quality. We understand that there are many things that new parents need to prepare for that might take priority when bringing home their little ones, but cleaning and disinfecting your air ducts is definitely something to consider before that day comes.  

When and how often should I get my air ducts, dryer vent and air condenser (air conditioner) cleaned?

We recommend getting the air ducts cleaned if any of the above "why should I get my air ducts cleaned" reasons applies to you. People with severe allergies often clean their air ducts every year, where others could go much longer, but for most, it usually ends up being about 3-5 years between services. We recommend getting the dryer vent and air condenser cleaned every year. It is true that for some dryer vents (i.e. dryers with 'direct exhaust' on exterior walls of the home) this may be  excessive, but dryer vents are a leading cause of residential fires so it is better to be safe rather than sorry. Air condenser coils often get very dirty during the fall and winter seasons, and will cause the unit to perform sluggishly if not cleaned out. A clean air condenser will cool the home quicker and with less effort, resulting in lower energy bills and longer lasting units.

Will there be a lot of dust floating around the house during cleaning, and can we stay in the home during the cleaning?

There will NOT be dust floating around your home. We use industry leading technology to prevent that from happening so you can comfortably stay in the home without worry. We use multiple stages of filtration, including the highest rated HEPA filters to capture contaminants that are removed from the air ducts.

What do I need to do to prepare the home for cleaning?

In most cases, you don't need to do anything! Here is what we will need in order to clean:

• a small area (about 4'x4') near the furnace that is completely clear to set up our equipment.
• 3 ft wide path from any entrance of the home to the furnace/utility room
• any fragile item moved to a safe location (collectibles, ceramics and glassware, family heirlooms, etc.)
• arrangements should be made for pets that might try to escape, bite, scratch, or otherwise harm our technicians. Animals that are easily startled or scared of loud noises (such as vacuums) might be uncomfortable during service.
• all vents will need to be accessible, but if you can't move the furniture on your own, the technicians will be happy to help!

How long does it take to clean the air ducts?

Obviously, every home is different, but we give the general estimate that it will take about 1 hour per 1,000 sq ft (finished). Please also note that it takes about 20-30 minutes per 'additional service' (blower cleaning, dryer vent cleaning, coil cleaning, disinfectant fogging, etc.).

How much does it cost?

Our pricing model allows for custom pricing to fit every home, big or small. Get a FREE ESTIMATE, or visit our 'Pricing' page here for more information.

Do you guarantee your work?

YES! We guarantee our work to give our customers peace of mind when hiring us.

Is the cleaning process noisy (can I still work from home)?

Working from home while we are there is usually not a problem. If your work space is right next the the air handler/furnace room and you plan to be on a call/virtual meeting, though, it might be disruptive. If you are concerned with noise while working from home, please call and we can find a solution that works for you and your schedule!

Are you insured and/or qualified?

We are proud to say that we have never had a claim for damage/loss, but we ARE fully insured, just in case! Each of our technicians have undergone rigorous training and are qualified to perform every service we offer.

As you may know, there are a lot of claims and 'facts' that air duct cleaning companies will print or republish that are meant to 'inform' you about the benefits of air duct cleaning. With so much information, how do you know what to believe? We have listed some of the most common claims, and break them down so you have the TRUTH.

Claim #1: "indoor air can be 2x5 times MORE polluted than outdoor levels, and in some cases these levels can exceed 100 times that of outdoor levels of the same pollutants".

This is accurate according to the EPA, but it is often taken out of context by air duct cleaning companies. Of course, contaminants in the air ducts can be a large contributor to this poor air quality, but there are also other factors such as chemicals used in the home (cleaning products, for example). Conclusion: Indoor air can be, and often is, more polluted than outdoor air, and getting your air ducts cleaned WILL help with this; just know that other contaminants outside of your ducts will still be present unless they are removed by other cleaning methods.

Claim #2: "Getting your air ducts cleaned can save you 'x amount' of dollars on your energy bill!"

This is almost completely false. Air duct cleaning by itself almost certainly will not give you any (noticeable) savings. Many companies use this as a tactic to 'get their foot in the door' and sell additional services such as coil cleaning, which is actually where your savings will come from. Coil cleaning removes dirt, dust, and debris that restrict the airflow around the coils which is how heat from the coolant is removed. Clean coils operate more efficiently and cool the home in less time (less time = less energy used = smaller energy bill). Conclusion: Get your air ducts cleaned to remove contaminants and allergens, not to save money on your energy bill. Get your coils cleaned to prolong the life of your unit(s) and save on your energy bill.

Claim #3: "Getting your air ducts cleaned will increase air flow and will fix problematic rooms that don't heat up or cool down like the rest of the house".

This is another claim that is taken out of context. Most air ducts do not have such a significant amount of debris/build up that the air handler will be restricted by any noticeable degree. Can airflow slightly increase after an air duct cleaning? Yes, but not to the degree that a lot of air duct cleaning companies wish you to believe. Will the bedroom that doesn't seem to get any air flow at all significantly improve? Probably not. In most cases this is a design issue, not a "clog". Of course, there are always outliers that see significant improvements in some rooms due to a blockage being cleared, but this is not the 'norm'. Another thing to consider is that in many cases it is actually a dirty filter that is causing air restriction. Lastly, bad air flow can be caused by an old or incorrectly sized (low CFM) air handler than what the home should have. Conclusion: Slightly better airflow can be an advantage of getting your air ducts cleaned, but don't let it be the only reason that you decide to get the service done or at least have reasonable expectations.