

Air Duct Cleaning Questions and Answers… Should I clean my air ducts? Given the nature of todays ventilation systems, dirt, dust and contaminates often collect throughout the system. Each time your system is started or turned on, these pollutants are circulated throughout your home or business. Over time, these debris can accumulate to a level where the efficiency of your ventilation system is negatively impacted. Having your heating and air conditioning system thoroughly cleaned will remove these potentially harmful contaminants. Should I really clean my air ducts if my home is just a few years old? Surprisingly enough, yes. Construction debris is one of the most common types of contamination that we find in air duct systems. Fine particulate matter, such as drywall dust or sawdust, as well as other materials can make their way into your system when the construction crews are cleaning up. The only way to thoroughly remove all of these pollutants from your system is through professional cleaning. How do I know that my air ducts need to be cleaned? While a video inspection is the clearest way to know for sure if your ducts need to be cleaned, there are a number of key indicators that will tell you if this is a service you should consider. * Dirty registers and grilles * Filtration on walls, ceiling and/or carpet surrounding vents * Excessive dust in the home * Variance in temperature and/or air flow room to room * Increase in energy needed (utility bills) to operate HVAC system at desired settings (this may indicate that dirt and debris could be blocking coil and/or ductwork, restricting airflow) * Recent construction, remodeling, renovations, or any related activity that generates a significant amount of dust and debris that can settle in your HVAC system * Presence of 1 or more pets * Members of the household who smoke * Recently retrofitted your ventilation system * Water damage or flooding in the ductwork * Members of the household experiencing problems with allergies and related symptoms Are there any health benefits to having this service performed? Dust, mold, fungi and bacteria have been shown to collect in the ventilation system. These contaminants are widely believed to be potentially harmful to your health, possibly irritating or triggering certain allergies. The removal of these contaminants from your HVAC system should be viewed as one step in improving the overall quality of air in your home. Will having my air ducts cleaned reduce my energy bills? Dirt and debris may collect in your ventilation system, blocking ductwork and key components of the furnace, including the evaporator coil and blower. Build-up of these contaminants in the furnace can restrict airflow, causing your system to work harder and longer, thus expending more energy. By cleaning the entire HVAC system, you may not only see an increase in system efficiency (and thus lower energy bills), you can also extend the life of your furnace or air conditioning system by reducing wear and tear. How frequently should I have my air ducts cleaned? There are a number of factors that affect how long your HVAC system can go between cleanings, including the type of floor coverings in the home, how often these floor coverings are vacuumed, the type of filters used in the HVAC system, the presence of pets, etc. The general rule of thumb, however, is to have the system thoroughly cleaned every 3 to 5 years. How long does it typically take to clean an average ventilation system? On average, it takes approximately 2 to 4 hours to clean a ventilation system with a single air-handling unit. This time can vary based on the size of the ventilation system, the number of air-handling units in your home, the number of vents and the condition of the system. How much does it cost to have my air ducts cleaned? The exact price depends on the number and location of air handling units tied into the system and the number of vents in the home. For a moderately-sized home with a single air handling unit, the average price range is $350 to $600; a PowerPRo technician will provide you with a final quote following the initial inspection of the system. It is very important to remember that price can be misleading when comparing multiple air duct cleaning companies. Be sure you understand completely the scope of work each company intends to perform for the price they are quoting |