What you need to know about air duct cleaning
Air duct cleaning is one of the least glamorous jobs around the home, but it can also be one of the most essential. However, finding information on this project can be difficult, and the field is often littered with half-truths and bewildering claims from cut-rate pitches in mailer ads.
Here’s the lowdown on whether air duct cleaning is worth it, and what you need to know.
You don’t need it that often: The Environmental Protection Agency recommends hiring an air duct cleaner when you see substantial quantities of visible mold growth in the ducts or system; if pests have infested portions of the system; or if excessive amounts of dust or debris clog the system and are released into the home when the system operates. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommends having the work done every three to five years. Whatever the case, you probably don’t need this work more frequently unless you have special circumstances.
A proper duct cleaning covers everything: Air duct cleaning isn’t just about sticking a vacuum up to the register and sweeping it out. A thorough cleaning addresses every part of the system that your air moves across, including coils and the central system. Professional cleaners will get into the blower motor, air plenum, filter and drain pan to completely scrub your system of contaminants.
It’s a big job: A duct cleaning will require multiple workers, costly equipment and several hours to complete. The workers will use agitation devices such as brushes, air whips and compressed air to break up contaminants. Then, a proper cleaning uses a continuous negative pressure system to suck up fine particles as they’re released. In many cases, the negative pressure system will be truck-mounted, which vents all debris directly outside your home.
Hire the right company: Take care when hiring an air duct cleaner. Since most states and localities don’t license duct cleaners, you have to rely on other sources to verify them. The EPA recommends hiring a company that follows standards set by NADCA. Be wary of any duct cleaner who claims to be EPAcertified; the EPA does not certify companies or establish standards. The EPA suggests asking potential cleaners to show you the contamination that justifies having your ducts cleaned. Ask for references, and check them. This is a high-dollar job that will take the better part of a day — it’s worth taking the time to hire correctly.
You get the cleaning you pay for. Tread very carefully when you come across mailers and “specials” that advertise air duct cleanings for $49 or some similarly suspiciously low price. An air duct cleaning generally costs between $300 and $500. The cut-rate cleaners generally perform minimal work and offer upgrades for additional fees. You’ll often find yourself paying several hundred dollars and still not getting service comparable to a qualified cleaner.