Frequently Asked Questions
First and foremost, your questions should be answered before having any contractor come into your home. See below for the most common questions we hear and refer to the NADCA residential checklist.
What is air duct cleaning?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers ,heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.
Why is it important to clean my air ducts?
The EPA says if not properly installed, maintained, and operated, components of forced air systems may become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen or other debris. When moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth, i.e. mold, increases and spores from such growth may be released into the home's living space. Some of these contaminants may cause allergic reactions or other symptoms in people if they are exposed to them.
What are the benefits of cleaning my air ducts and HVAC system?
Refer to our blog post on this.
How long should it take to clean my air ducts?
How long it takes to clean your air ducts will vary based on the number of systems in your home, the number of vents, where the vents are located (under furniture or high on the walls, for example) and how easy they are to access, and other factors unique to each job. We estimate 1.5-2 hours per HVAC system but this can vary per above.
How can I determine if my air ducts were cleaned effectively? What procedures should a company follow?
The best way to determine if the HVAC system was cleaned effectively is to perform a visual inspection of the system before and after cleaning. If any dust or debris can be seen, the system was not cleaned according to industry standards. The professional contractor you choose should be able to show you before and after to verify the cleaning.
What sort of equipment should the company use to clean my air ducts?
NADCA does not specify which equipment a contractor must use. There are two main types of vacuum collection devices: (1) those mounted on trucks and trailers, and (2) portable units. Truck/trailer mounted equipment is typically more powerful than portable equipment. However, portable equipment can often be brought directly into a home or facility, allowing the vacuum source to be located closer to the ductwork. Both types of equipment will clean to NADCA standards.
All vacuum units should be attached to a collection device for safe containment. Any vacuum collection device which exhausts indoors must be HEPA filtered.
A vacuum collection device alone will not get an HVAC system clean. The use of methods and tools designed to agitate debris adhered to the surfaces within the system, in conjunction with the use of the vacuum collection device(s), is required to clean HVAC systems. (For example: brushes, air whips, and “skipper balls.”)
Where can I find a NADCA certified company to perform air duct cleaning?
Dapper Ducts, Inc. has been certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association for more than 13 years. We would love to work with you! Please call or email us today for straight forward quote with no hidden fees.
Should I let my duct cleaner apply an antimicrobial chemical to kill mold?
Antimicrobials are designed to kill microbiological contaminants. They can be applied to the inside of the duct-work and to other system components in an attempt to treat mold. These practices have yet to be fully researched and you should be fully informed before deciding to permit the use of biocides or chemical treatments in your air ducts. Biocides should only be applied after the system has been properly cleaned of all visible dust or debris.
Can air duct cleaning be detrimental?
The EPA claims thus far no evidence suggests that such cleaning would be detrimental, provided that it is done properly. One may consider having their air ducts cleaned simply because it seems logical that air ducts will get dirty over time, and should occasionally be cleaned. The only downside to having your air ducts cleaned will be if you use a company that is not qualified to do the job (see our section Beware of Coupon Companies).
What happens if I use a duct cleaner who is not NADCA certified?
If a service provider fails to follow proper duct cleaning procedures, duct cleaning can cause indoor air problems. For example, an inadequate vacuum collection system can release more dust, dirt, and other contaminants than if you had left the ducts alone. A careless or inadequately trained service provider can damage your ducts or heating and cooling system, possibly increasing your heating and air conditioning costs, or forcing you to undertake difficult and costly repairs or replacements.
How often do I need to clean my air ducts/HVAC system?
There are several “checks” one can undertake to determine whether air duct cleaning is needed:
What can I expect to pay for air duct cleaning service?
Many companies have begun marketing products and services for use in the home to improve the quality of the indoor air. Duct cleaning is one such service. The EPA says that these services typically -- but not always -- range in cost from $450 to $1,000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned, system accessibility, climatic region, and level of contamination
What is air duct cleaning?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers ,heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.
Why is it important to clean my air ducts?
The EPA says if not properly installed, maintained, and operated, components of forced air systems may become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen or other debris. When moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth, i.e. mold, increases and spores from such growth may be released into the home's living space. Some of these contaminants may cause allergic reactions or other symptoms in people if they are exposed to them.
What are the benefits of cleaning my air ducts and HVAC system?
Refer to our blog post on this.
How long should it take to clean my air ducts?
How long it takes to clean your air ducts will vary based on the number of systems in your home, the number of vents, where the vents are located (under furniture or high on the walls, for example) and how easy they are to access, and other factors unique to each job. We estimate 1.5-2 hours per HVAC system but this can vary per above.
How can I determine if my air ducts were cleaned effectively? What procedures should a company follow?
The best way to determine if the HVAC system was cleaned effectively is to perform a visual inspection of the system before and after cleaning. If any dust or debris can be seen, the system was not cleaned according to industry standards. The professional contractor you choose should be able to show you before and after to verify the cleaning.
What sort of equipment should the company use to clean my air ducts?
NADCA does not specify which equipment a contractor must use. There are two main types of vacuum collection devices: (1) those mounted on trucks and trailers, and (2) portable units. Truck/trailer mounted equipment is typically more powerful than portable equipment. However, portable equipment can often be brought directly into a home or facility, allowing the vacuum source to be located closer to the ductwork. Both types of equipment will clean to NADCA standards.
All vacuum units should be attached to a collection device for safe containment. Any vacuum collection device which exhausts indoors must be HEPA filtered.
A vacuum collection device alone will not get an HVAC system clean. The use of methods and tools designed to agitate debris adhered to the surfaces within the system, in conjunction with the use of the vacuum collection device(s), is required to clean HVAC systems. (For example: brushes, air whips, and “skipper balls.”)
Where can I find a NADCA certified company to perform air duct cleaning?
Dapper Ducts, Inc. has been certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association for more than 13 years. We would love to work with you! Please call or email us today for straight forward quote with no hidden fees.
Should I let my duct cleaner apply an antimicrobial chemical to kill mold?
Antimicrobials are designed to kill microbiological contaminants. They can be applied to the inside of the duct-work and to other system components in an attempt to treat mold. These practices have yet to be fully researched and you should be fully informed before deciding to permit the use of biocides or chemical treatments in your air ducts. Biocides should only be applied after the system has been properly cleaned of all visible dust or debris.
Can air duct cleaning be detrimental?
The EPA claims thus far no evidence suggests that such cleaning would be detrimental, provided that it is done properly. One may consider having their air ducts cleaned simply because it seems logical that air ducts will get dirty over time, and should occasionally be cleaned. The only downside to having your air ducts cleaned will be if you use a company that is not qualified to do the job (see our section Beware of Coupon Companies).
What happens if I use a duct cleaner who is not NADCA certified?
If a service provider fails to follow proper duct cleaning procedures, duct cleaning can cause indoor air problems. For example, an inadequate vacuum collection system can release more dust, dirt, and other contaminants than if you had left the ducts alone. A careless or inadequately trained service provider can damage your ducts or heating and cooling system, possibly increasing your heating and air conditioning costs, or forcing you to undertake difficult and costly repairs or replacements.
How often do I need to clean my air ducts/HVAC system?
There are several “checks” one can undertake to determine whether air duct cleaning is needed:
- Presence of mold growth inside sheet metal ducts or on other components of the heating and cooling system or if ducts are infested with vermin, e.g. (rodents or insects)
- Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.
What can I expect to pay for air duct cleaning service?
Many companies have begun marketing products and services for use in the home to improve the quality of the indoor air. Duct cleaning is one such service. The EPA says that these services typically -- but not always -- range in cost from $450 to $1,000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned, system accessibility, climatic region, and level of contamination
Commercial FAQ
The questions listed above for residential customers largely pertain to commercial clients. Also refer to the NADCA commercial checklist.