When scheduling an air duct appointment with AmeriClean, customers tend to have a lot of the same questions. We’ve gathered our air duct cleaning questions and provided (hopefully) all the answers you need when scheduling an air duct cleaning appointment.
Air Duct Cleaning Questions Answered
How do I know I need my air ducts cleaned?
- If you see visible dust being released from the supply registers when the system is running
- You recently finished building your home or completed a home renovation project
- It’s been longer than 3 years since the air duct system has been cleaned
- You have to change your air filter more frequently
Why should I get my air ducts cleaned?
It’s pretty simple… because they get dirty! The air ducts in the home accumulate dirt and dust that are within a home but can also be collectors of:
- Pet hair
- Allergens
- Cigarette or cigar smoke
- Excessive dust and debris from home renovation projects
Each of the factors listed above can affect occupants of a home in different ways. If an individual lives in the home that is sensitive to the contaminants or suffers from allergies or asthma, air duct cleaning can help remove these factors that affect the indoor air quality in the home.
What is air duct cleaning and how is it done?
What: Air duct cleaning is the process of using specialized blowers, vacuums, and brushes to clean out the supply and return ducts throughout a home.
How: At AmeriClean, we use a truck mounted system which acts like a high horsepower shop vacuum. A series of 8-inch diameter hoses and tubes are put together extending from the truck to the furnace area. The return system is cleaned by removing the blower housing cover and inserting the vacuum hose into the blower housing. The opening is temporarily sealed with cardboard and duct tape. A high-pressure line is taken through the living spaces to each return cover and the truck is turned on and air is pulled through the return system and out to the truck. Each cover is air washed and then removed from the wall or floor. Our flexible rods are fed through the interior ductwork to agitate and remove dust, debris, and construction material that has settled int he duct work. The trunk lines are cleaned in the same manner- working back to the blower housing area. The supply system is cleaned in a similar fashion and an 8-inch opening is cut above the air conditioning coil. The coil and pan are protected by a barrier and the sames process used to clean the return system is employed. The openings are then secured with a sheet metal plate, metal foil tape, and sheet metal screws.
How often should I get my air ducts in my home cleaned?
According to NADCA professionals, homeowners should clean air ducts based on these guidelines:
- Every 3-5 years (3 if you have pets that shed fur in the home as it can help prevent it from spreading throughout the home)
- When you move into a new home- unless you know that the previous owner had the air duct cleaned within the last 3 years
- After building a new home
- After completing a home renovation project
How do I know if I’m hiring a reputable air duct cleaning company?
The best way to judge whether you have hired a reputable air duct cleaning company is whether they are a NADCA member. As a NADCA member, the company must meet the following requirements:
- Have at least one NADCA certified Air Systems Cleaning Specialist on staff
- Maintain at least $500,000 in general liability insurance
- Agree to clean according to NADCA’s standards and comply with NADCA’s Code of Ethics
You can verify a company is a NADCA member by visiting the NADCA website and entering your zip code to search for a member in your area. AmeriClean has been a proud NADCA member since 1994!
What determines the price of my air duct cleaning?
When you call in to get a residential air duct cleaning estimate, our office staff will ask a couple questions about your home that helps us to build an accurate price for the cleaning. These questions include:
- Is your home on a basement, crawl space, or slab?
- What is the register count in the home? We will need to know the number of cold air returns and heating supplies.
- Where is the furnace located?
- How many furnaces are in your home?
What should I expect when having my air ducts cleaned?
- Your HVAC system will be turned off during the duration of the cleaning process
- Our hoses and air lines will be running through your front door or the most convenient entrance to reach your furnace
How long will the cleaning process take?
This is dependent on the total number of registers in your home and the number of furnaces in your home. A typical job can be done in about 4.5 hours but jobs with multiple furnaces and a large quantity of registers can exceed the half day time allotted.
About AmeriClean, Inc.
AmeriClean, Inc was established in 1986 by Bob Eriks in a small warehouse as a provider of Fire Damage Restoration for Northwest Indiana. Fast forward to today and AmeriClean’s services include Carpet, Upholstery, Air Duct, Area Rug, Ceramic Tile Cleaning; as well as: Water Damage Restoration, Fire Damage Restoration and Mold Remediation. With 30 years of experience, AmeriClean, Inc. is now a leading name in water, fire and restoration services for both residential and commercial properties. For more information, visit our website or call 8006549101.
