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Why your air ducts should be cleaned and how to get them cleaned.

 

Are there any health benefits that come from HVAC system cleaning?

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems have been shown to act as a collection source for a variety of contaminants that have the potential to affect health, such as mold, fungi, bacteria and very small particles of dust.  The removal of such contaminants from the HVAC system and home should be considered as one component in an overall plan to improve indoor air quality.

How often should a residential HVAC system be cleaned?

Frequency of cleaning depends on several factors, not the least of which is the preference of the home owner.  Some of the things that may lead a home owner to consider more frequent cleaning include: smokers in the household, pets that shed high amounts of hair and dander, residents with allergies or asthma and after home renovations or remodeling.

Why should I choose a NADCA member to clean my air ducts?

A company must meet stringent requirements in order to be a member of NADCA. The company must:

    • Have a least one NADCA certified Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) on staff
    • Maintain at least $500,000 in general liability insurance
  • Agree to clean according to NADCA’s standards and comply with NADCA’s Code of Ethics. 
  • If a company is not going to clean according to NADCA’s standards, this must be communicated to the buyer at the time of sale.

These requirements were established to provide a higher level of assurance to consumers.

How much is the normal price range for air duct cleaning service?

The Environmental Protection Agency says that duct cleaning services typically range in cost from $450 to $1000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, size of system to be cleaned, system accessibility, climatic region, level of contamination and type of duct material.  Our price includes a thorough cleaning of the entire HVAC system.  The price we give you is the price for the job; we have no hidden charges or hidden sales agenda.

Facts about Indoor Air Quality

    • Most people spend 60% to 90% of their time indoors. (American Lung Association)
    • According to the American College of Allergists, 20% of ALL illnesses are caused or aggravated by polluted indoor air.
    • 10%  of colds are caught outdoors; 90% are caught indoors.
    • The average 6 room house collects 40 pounds of dust each year. (Discover Magazine)
    • One out of six people who suffer from allergies do so because of the direct relationship to fungi and bacteria in air duct systems. (Total Health and Better Health Magazines)
    • About 40,000 dust mites can thrive in only one ounce of dust.  Approximately 10 to 15 percent of the population suffers from an allergy related to dust mites.
    • A buildup of .042 inches of dirt on a heating or cooling coil can result in a decrease in efficiency of 21%. (EPA)
    • 9 out of 10 (HVAC) system failures are caused by dirt and dust. (LCES – Louisiana Cooperative Extension Services)
    • Most commercially available fiberglass furnace filters are less than 7% efficient. (ASHRAE)

Proper HVAC Cleaning Process     

According to NADCA, there are two key components to HVAC Cleaning – breaking contaminants loose, and collection of contaminants.

Breaking Contaminants Loose


Properly cleaning the HVAC system requires removing the sources of contamination.  Source removal begins with the use of one or more agitation devices designed to loosen contaminants from the surfaces within the heating and air conditioning system.  Some examples of agitation devices include, brushes, air whips and compressed air nozzles.  Agitation can also be achieved through hand-brushing or contact vacuuming in some instances.


Collection of  Contaminants


During cleaning, the entire HVAC system is placed under continuous negative pressure (vacuum) to prevent the spread of contaminants.  Continuous negative pressure allows very fine particles to be removed from the system as they become airborne, ensuring that these particles are not released into the living space when the system is turned on after cleaning.  This negative pressure also serves to evacuate the loosened contaminants, which are collected and removed from your home.


Our step by step process


For the residential HVAC cleaning:


Two technicians will arrive at your home.  Your furnace will be turned off during the cleaning process.  The technicians will lay tarps on the floors generally at the entryway to prevent any debris from outside being brought into your home.  The tech's will wear protective shoes covers inside your home.


A powerful vacuum (this vacuum generates about 6000 cubic feet per minute of suction power…that’s powerful!) will be set up outside of your home.  This vacuum has an 8” diameter hose attached to it that is then attached at the furnace while our tech's are working.  All of the registers (hot and cold air returns) are sealed off with a large masking tape so that when the vacuum is turned on, a negative air pressure is created on the HVAC system.  While the vacuum is on, the technicians go to each register and various points throughout the duct work.  At these access points they insert special tools that are powered by an air compressor.  These tools (aka agitation devices) loosen and push or pull the debris and dust towards the suction point.  The tools literally cover every square inch of the ductwork assuring a thorough cleaning of the entire HVAC system. 

The Commercial Process:

 

An office building is only as clean as its heating and cooling duct work.  The air in your facility is circulated through the duct work; usually the dirtiest, most unsanitary part of the building.   Advantages of clean duct work can be very substantial.  The National Energy Management Institute reports that, “Benefits of improved indoor air quality are so large that this opportunity cannot be ignored…”  These benefits include better employee, customer and visitor health, improved productivity, reduced health costs, reduced sick leave and increased profits. 
We use the same powerful equipment and tools to clean commercial duct work in much of the same manner along with additional equipment to clean on a larger scale.  We take the same precautions and care in the commercial setting as we do when we clean someone’s home.
According to the EPA, any preventative maintenance plan should include: “monitoring, inspecting and cleaning HVAC components such as outside air intakes, outside air dampers, air filters, drain pans, heating and cooling coils, the interior of air handling units, fan motors and belts, air humidification, controls and cooling towers.” EPA “Building Air Quality Action Plan”.