Residential air duct cleaners clean air ducts that are part of a home’s heating, cooling and ventilation system. They can help improve indoor air quality and reduce energy costs, particularly if the air ducts have been neglected.
When to Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned
Most HVAC service providers recommend having your air ducts cleaned on a regular basis, usually once or twice per year. When dust, debris and dirt build up in your ductwork, it can cut off your home’s air flow and increase your utility bills. A duct cleaning may also be recommended if you’re experiencing unusually high energy bills or an unexplained increase in dust in your home.
How to Find a Good Residential Air Duct Cleaner
To get the best results from your duct cleaning, you need to choose a professional who is experienced and knowledgeable. Ask for references and call the Better Business Bureau or local consumer affairs office to find out if any complaints have been filed against the company you are considering.
Make sure the contractor is properly licensed to perform duct work in your area, as some states require special licenses for this profession. Those licenses are issued by the state or county, and as of 1996, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Texas and Arizona all required this licensing.
In addition, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) sets standards for ductwork cleaning that are designed to minimize the risk of damage to your system. NADCA members are trained in proper methods for removing accumulated dirt, dust and other contaminants from your ducts and have a thorough knowledge of the industry’s safety regulations.
What to Look For when Choosing an Air Duct Cleaner
The key to finding a qualified residential air duct cleaners las vegas service is choosing one that is certified and insured. These professionals are more likely to follow NADCA’s best practices, which should result in a safer and more efficient duct cleaning experience for you.
During a standard duct cleaning, technicians use a vacuum to collect the fine dust and other particles that have become trapped inside your ducts during the past years. They then flush the system with a solution of water and anti-bacterial detergents. This process should take three to five hours, depending on the size of your ductwork and the amount of contaminant buildup.
A reputable air duct cleaning service will provide you with a written estimate prior to the start of the job and follow up with you if there are any questions or concerns. They should also provide you with a Post-Cleaning Consumer Checklist that is designed to ensure that the job has been done to your satisfaction.
If your ductwork is insulated, the service provider should also provide you with an explanation of the difference between bare sheet metal ducts and fiber glass duct liner. Generally, there is a greater risk of mold contamination in ducts that are insulated than in ducts that are not insulated.
It is important to understand that even after proper cleaning, fiberglass duct liner will not completely eliminate the growth of mold, because it is porous and will allow moisture to enter your home. In some cases, it will need to be replaced.