1) WHY SHOULD I GET MY AIR DUCTS CLEANED?

Your heating and cooling system is the lungs of your home, and the bottom line is that air duct cleaning improves indoor air quality! If that’s not convincing enough, air duct cleaning will save you money in the long run. Why? Contaminants in the heating and cooling system cause it to work harder, and ultimately shorten the life of your system. Even with the proper use of filters, the heating and cooling system gets dirty through normal, everyday use. But when an HVAC system is clean, it doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the temperature you desire. As a result, less energy is used, leading to lower electric bills. And we all like to save money, right?

2) HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

Air duct cleaning is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ service, and the amount of time it takes to clean a residential HVAC system depends on many variables such as the size of the home, the number of HVAC systems, the type of ductwork in the home, the extent of contamination, and the number of HVAC cleaning technicians needed for the job.

3) HOW MUCH DOES AIR DUCT CLEANING COST?

Properly cleaning an entire air duct system in an average-sized home typically ranges in cost. Air duct cleaning is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and there are several factors that affect cost (including those listed in #2 above). For instance, air duct cleaning for a 10,000-square-foot home with three HVAC systems will cost quite a bit more than a 2,000-square-foot home with a single unit. Don’t forget that homeowners can recoup some of the cost with lower utility bills!

4) HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET MY AIR DUCTS CLEANED?

Frequency of cleaning depends on several factors such as whether there are smokers in the household, residents who suffer from allergies or asthma, or pets that shed lots of hair and dander. Also, if there is water contamination or other damage to the home or HVAC system, or the home has been recently renovated, more frequent air duct cleaning may be necessary.

To maintain an efficient HVAC system, NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association) recommends getting your air ducts inspected at least once a year and cleaned as needed. Your professional air duct cleaner will be able to assess the condition of your air ducts and pinpoint any problem areas (including leaks) during the inspection process. An annual assessment can help avoid costly repairs down the road.

5) WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHEN HIRING A COMPANY?

Our best advice: Watch for scams! Avoid advertisements for bargain-basement prices, like whole-house specials for $100 or less, or other sales gimmicks, like posts targeting homeowners on social media neighborhood groups. It’s important to know the signs of a scam, and as a homeowner, you can take steps to ensure you don’t fall prey to dishonest tactics.