WHAT IS AIR DUCT CLEANING? Air Duct Cleaning—also known variously as vent cleaning, furnace duct cleaning, HVAC system cleaning, ductwork cleaning, and heating duct or heating vent cleaning—is the process by which contaminants and debris that build up over time are removed from the inside of your home's ventilation system. Below are some of the basics of residential air duct cleaning.
Looking for Commercial Air Duct Cleaning? Visit our Commercial Duct Cleaning page. |
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THE PROCESS
The cleaning of air ducts is accomplished with the use of a variety of tools, including the following:
The specific tools used will depend on the level of cleaning needed. In homes whose ducts are cleaned regularly, an industrial vacuum in the main trunk lines and air triggers utilized at each vent may suffice, but more often than not, an agitator such as a tentacled air whip or rotating brush is needed. When an extreme cleaning is necessary or desired, such as in the case of transite ducts, when drywall dust is present, after new construction or remodeling, or on taking new ownership of a home, an agitator such as the Viper Microline is utilized in every vent. Having trouble deciding which process is best for your home? Visit our blog article: Which Level of Air Duct Cleaning Should I Choose?
Pricing is based on one system (a single furnace and/or air conditioning unit and its associated ductwork). The Multiple Services Discount can be applied to service on the second system. Bathroom exhaust fans, which do not form part of the heating/cooling system, are not included but can be added for an additional cost. These generally do not need professional cleaning unless the vent line is clogged, typically from animal nesting debris.
Because of the multitude of HVAC configurations and various scenarios that present themselves during an air duct cleaning service, technician experience can play a key role in the quality of service delivered. An experienced tech can gauge the quality of any previous duct cleaning work, appropriately assess the current level of cleaning needed, and successfully troubleshoot difficult jobs.
- a high-powered vacuum/containment system to create a negative-pressure environment and to collect debris
- and an array of agitation tools, such as tentacled whips or rotating brushes (to loosen debris)
- high-pressured air triggers and air snakes (to move debris toward the desired end point)
The specific tools used will depend on the level of cleaning needed. In homes whose ducts are cleaned regularly, an industrial vacuum in the main trunk lines and air triggers utilized at each vent may suffice, but more often than not, an agitator such as a tentacled air whip or rotating brush is needed. When an extreme cleaning is necessary or desired, such as in the case of transite ducts, when drywall dust is present, after new construction or remodeling, or on taking new ownership of a home, an agitator such as the Viper Microline is utilized in every vent. Having trouble deciding which process is best for your home? Visit our blog article: Which Level of Air Duct Cleaning Should I Choose?
Pricing is based on one system (a single furnace and/or air conditioning unit and its associated ductwork). The Multiple Services Discount can be applied to service on the second system. Bathroom exhaust fans, which do not form part of the heating/cooling system, are not included but can be added for an additional cost. These generally do not need professional cleaning unless the vent line is clogged, typically from animal nesting debris.
Because of the multitude of HVAC configurations and various scenarios that present themselves during an air duct cleaning service, technician experience can play a key role in the quality of service delivered. An experienced tech can gauge the quality of any previous duct cleaning work, appropriately assess the current level of cleaning needed, and successfully troubleshoot difficult jobs.
OPTIONS AVAILABLE
Standard Air Duct Cleaning
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Our Standard Air Duct Cleaning is a "maintenance" cleaning, intended for homes whose ducts are cleaned regularly—every 2 to 3 years. The process utilizes industrial vacuums, high-pressured air wands, and air snakes to clean all supply and return vents, branch lines, and main trunk lines. The service includes unlimited vents, up to 2500 square feet (only $20 for each additional 500 sq ft). Visit our Standard Air Duct Cleaning page to learn more or our Book Now page to schedule online.
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Advanced Air Duct Cleaning
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Advanced Air Duct Cleaning includes the standard process of using high-pressured air wands to clean all supply and return vents and branch lines, with the addition of the Rotobrush or the Viper Clean Sweep utilized on the main trunk lines. Service includes unlimited vents, up to 2500 square feet (only $20 for each additional 500 sq ft). Visit our Advanced Air Duct Cleaning page to learn more or our Book Now page to schedule online.
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Ultimate Air Duct Cleaning
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This top-level cleaning features the insertion of a Viper Microline into every vent, which forces any debris down the branch lines and into the main trunk lines, where the Viper Clean Sweep System is later utilized to propel everything toward the vacuum. Every inch of the ductwork surface is contacted. Includes before and after photos, and a furnace cleaning. Price covers up to 2500 sq ft. Add $40 for each additional 500 sq ft. Visit our Ultimate Air Duct Cleaning page to learn more or our Book Now page to schedule online.
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Commercial Duct Cleaning
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We offer air duct cleaning in a wide array of commercial settings. During commercial duct cleaning, every component of the ventilation system is thoroughly cleaned, including the air handling units, fresh air intakes, variable air volume (VAV) boxes, supply and return ductwork, and diffusers and grilles. Visit our Commercial Duct Cleaning page to learn more, or our Bid Request page to schedule a free estimate.
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SANITIZING/DISINFECTING
No matter how thorough or efficient the air-duct cleaning process, it cannot possibly remove contaminants at a microscopic level. In some cases, customers may wish to have Oxine applied to the air ducts to complete the process. Oxine is an EPA-registered disinfectant and sanitizer that is effective against a wide range of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and is recommended for its low toxicity. The technician applies Oxine to the air ducts with a fogger. Once the Oxine has been applied, the effects against harmful microorganisms last for up to two years.
Oxine fog treatment is available in three options:
Note: The application of Oxine is not to be considered a substitute for mold remediation. If you have experienced water damage or have concerns about mold, please consult a mold remediation specialist.
Oxine fog treatment is available in three options:
- Level I $69.95: Oxine is applied near the furnace, in the main line.
- Level II $99.95: Oxine is applied to the main line and in every return.
- Level III $149.95: Oxine is applied to the main line, in every return, and in every supply.
Note: The application of Oxine is not to be considered a substitute for mold remediation. If you have experienced water damage or have concerns about mold, please consult a mold remediation specialist.
THE BENEFITS
The benefits of air duct cleaning run the gamut from health-related to financial. Your furnace and ductwork serve as your home's respiratory system, pulling air from inside your home through the return ducts, where the air moves through the air filter into the furnace to be heated before passing through the supply ducts and back into your living space. Dust, pet fur, debris, pathogens, allergens, chemicals, dust mites—all of these contaminants become trapped inside your air ducts over time, and as the air moves through the system, it passes through these dirty ducts, redistributing the dirt throughout your home or simply depositing it in the ducts where it builds up over time. Air duct cleaning can dramatically reduce the number of contaminants present in your home's indoor air.
Cleaning the air ducts in your home increases air flow within the system, helping to improve the efficiency of the HVAC system by distributing air throughout the house more quickly and with less effort. Regular cleaning of the air ducts also minimizes dust and debris entering the furnace, thereby helping to prevent clogging of the unit.
For further reading, download our free tipsheet: 10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Air Duct Cleaning Company.
Cleaning the air ducts in your home increases air flow within the system, helping to improve the efficiency of the HVAC system by distributing air throughout the house more quickly and with less effort. Regular cleaning of the air ducts also minimizes dust and debris entering the furnace, thereby helping to prevent clogging of the unit.
For further reading, download our free tipsheet: 10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Air Duct Cleaning Company.
RECOMMENDED FREQUENCY
Air duct cleaning is typically recommended every one to three years. Some reasons to clean more frequently include pets in the home, occupants who have allergies or asthma, and remodeling or construction work. The latter especially causes large amounts of dust and debris to be generated, which can clog up HVAC system parts—reducing system efficiency and decreasing indoor air quality. You'd be surprised by the things we find inside air ducts!
Because the Ultimate Duct Cleaning will leave your ducts as clean as they can be, after this top-level service the Standard Air Duct Cleaning will suffice every two to three years thereafter. Some of the things you can do at home to maximize the benefits of air duct cleaning in between services include vacuuming out vents, wiping down register covers, and, most importantly, regularly changing your air filter.
If you are not sure whether an air duct cleaning is needed, have a look at some of the visible components of the system—the register covers and the vents just behind them, and your furnace itself. If a fair amount of dust is visibly present, it's fair to assume there's a similar amount inside the ducts themselves. When in doubt, you can sign up for the lowest level of service (Standard), and the technician can perform an assessment before work begins.
Because the Ultimate Duct Cleaning will leave your ducts as clean as they can be, after this top-level service the Standard Air Duct Cleaning will suffice every two to three years thereafter. Some of the things you can do at home to maximize the benefits of air duct cleaning in between services include vacuuming out vents, wiping down register covers, and, most importantly, regularly changing your air filter.
If you are not sure whether an air duct cleaning is needed, have a look at some of the visible components of the system—the register covers and the vents just behind them, and your furnace itself. If a fair amount of dust is visibly present, it's fair to assume there's a similar amount inside the ducts themselves. When in doubt, you can sign up for the lowest level of service (Standard), and the technician can perform an assessment before work begins.
MULTIPLE SERVICES DISCOUNT
Save money by grouping services. Purchase one service and receive $30 off every additional service performed on the same visit. This discount is not available with promotional pricing, or on products (Oxine, chimney caps, refrigerant).