Cleaning the air ducts during the spring is important to the health of your family and of your HVAC system. Dirty air ducts may contribute to poor indoor air quality. This is a health hazard to the young and the elderly, as well as for allergy sufferers, asthmatics and people with other chronic respiratory disorders.

The layers of dust, pet dander, pollen and mold spores get spread throughout the home every time the air conditioner, heat pump or furnace cycles. Having the air ducts cleaned gets rid of these airborne particles and brings a significant improvement to the quality of the indoor air. At the same time as cleaning the ducts, it is also wise to replace the system’s air filter if it is also covered in dust and debris. It is recommended to replace the air filter every 30 days during heavy use.

While there are reputable, professional HVAC cleaning services out there, there are scams as well. Here are some tips for avoiding scams if you decide to look into having the ducts and HVAC system in your home cleaned.

Full Service

Don’t settle for just duct cleaning, make sure the cleaning service is also going to do a full cleaning of the heating/cooling unit. Duct cleaning should also involve a thorough cleaning of the air handler, registers, grilles, fans, motors, housings, and coils of the HVAC system.

Certifications

The cleaning company should be certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), which sets standards for HVAC system cleaning. The EPA does not certify duct cleaners, so avoid anyone making that claim. Check for relevant licenses and insurance.

Estimates & Reviews

A reputable company should provide a free inspection and estimate. Avoid multiple negative reviews or complaints. Thanks to the Internet it is not hard to find customer reviews for most companies, including those involved in duct cleaning.

Bargain prices that seem too good to be true

Before hiring anyone, compare prices of different services. In many instances the scammers will hide extra fees and charges in the fine print of your contract, and if you’ll let them in your home you’ll end up paying them far more for their service than you expected.

Poorly maintained, cut-rate cleaning equipment

There is standard equipment that all qualified duct cleaning contractors rely on to help them get the job done properly. Professional duct cleaning services use specialized blowers, vacuums, and brushes to clean out the supply, intake, and return ducts throughout your home.

Avoid Sealants and Sprays

Both the EPA and the NADCA recommend against the use of sprayed sealants or other potentially harmful chemicals inside air ducts. Biocides and anti-microbial treatments are also iffy, since the chemicals may cause more harm than good to your health. No chemicals are currently registered with the EPA for use inside ductwork.

Verify Results

You should be offered a complete visual inspection of the HVAC system and ductwork, either in person or by remote camera. Make sure every single duct is clean, and insist on an inspection of the inside of the HVAC unit, before paying for the service.

Check out the list of Air Duct Cleaning Services on the HUB. Make sure all the contractors are licensed and credible.

Thanks for the info from * Temperature PRO and Today’s Homeowner