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Spring has finally arrived in Minnesota! Your HVAC system has been working hard for the last 6 months, keeping you comfortable and safe—even through the polar vortex. If you didn't get to it in the fall—and let's face it, a lot of us didn't—now's the time to give it the cleaning it deserves  Furnace Cleaning
Your furnace is one of the most valuable and hardworking appliances in your home. Its work doesn't stop once winter comes to a close. Instead, it's called into service again all summer long, to distribute throughout your home the air that your evaporator coil (A-coil) cools with the help of the outside condenser. If the inner components of your furnace are dirty, your furnace will have to work harder and use more energy to distribute air. Dust on the fan blades, for example, will put more stress on the motor and decrease efficiency. Having relied on your furnace all winter, before summoning it into service again for the summer, show it some gratitude by having your furnace cleaned and checked. Air Duct Cleaning During the long Minnesota winter, your air ducts were hard at work circulating warmed air throughout your closed-up home. Over time, household dust and debris accumulate inside the air ducts. Left uncleaned, this accumulation of debris continues to build up and is eventually blown back into your living space, polluting your indoor air. The buildup additionally settles in the components of your furnace and evaporator coil, hindering their performance and decreasing air flow. To rid your system of these indoor pollutants, have your air ducts cleaned of all of the debris within, to improve indoor air quality and increase system efficiency. Chimney Sweep Chimney sweeping is recommended after approximately every 50 fires. If you didn't have your chimney cleaned in the fall, consider having it swept this spring in order to avoid the danger of excessive creosote buildup. An advantage of having it cleaned in the spring is that this is the slow season for this service; many homeowners don't start thinking about chimney sweeping till fall, by which time chimney sweeps are harder to come by and sometimes more pricey--especially during the pre-holiday rush from mid-October to late December. Also, your chimney sweep will often need to climb your roof to do a thorough job. Wait until fall and you'll risk having to postpone the service if snow falls early and your roof is too risky to climb. Dryer Vent Cleaning Dryer lint is an extreme fire hazard, and regular and thorough removal of lint buildup inside the vent is critical to home fire safety. Additionally, wildlife often seek the warmth of this deceptively cozy environment, potentially causing dangerous blockages. Consider having your dryer vent cleaned when you clean the various components of your HVAC system. Having the service performed in the spring is especially good timing if your dryer vents onto the roof, which is often dangerous to climb in the fall and winter seasons. AC Tuneup & Cleaning While your furnace is working inside to distribute air, your outside condenser is circulating coolant through the furnace's A-coil and expelling heat outside. The condenser fins on the unit, over time, become clogged with debris, including dirt, dead leaves, and all manner of fluffy-floaty plant progeny (dandelion seeds come to mind) that sail through the air and get sucked in by the fan. When the central fan draws air in through fins that are clogged with debris, the air conditioning unit suffers from reduced efficiency and is more subject to breakdowns. Additionally, the debris hinders air flow and can cause the unit to not cool properly (as can low refrigerant levels). Want to learn more about our HVAC services? Our service pages contain detailed descriptions about the processes and tools each service entails.
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Commercial dryer vent cleaning refers to the service when it pertains to businesses, such as salons, spas, and laundromats, or to multi-unit dwellings such as apartments or assisted-living facilities. Commercial services are typically more complex than residential, due to longer or multiple dryer vent lines serving a larger community than the shorter, individual vent line serving a single-family residence. Why do commercial dryer vents need to be cleaned? As with residential dryer vents, often the first indication that a commercial dryer vent needs to be cleaned is when the dryer stops drying efficiently. Residents or employees will complain that it takes a long time for the machine to dry laundry, and a maintenance supervisor will summon a dryer vent cleaning company (or sometimes they'll assume the machine is broken and mistakenly call a repair company). Such was the case for the below dryer vent, belonging to a spa in Edina, Minnesota. One glance at the photo below reveals why the dryer in question was losing efficiency: the exhaust was completely choked with lint, obstructing air flow.  This particular dryer vent line was over 100 feet long, initially running vertically for 10 feet, then making a 90-degree turn (and another) to run horizontally for over 100 feet, and finally making a last 90-degree turn to run another 10 feet vertically toward a booster fan before ending at the outside exhaust point. With all those turns and the extremely long run, it was no surprise to our commercial techs that the vent line needed a good cleaning from all of the built-up lint. The "bird screen" pictured above is designed with holes large enough to allow for the escape of lint but small enough to prevent the entry of nesting birds. This one became severely choked with lint, not only decreasing efficiency but creating an extreme fire hazard. Before work began on this job, this screen was removed and thoroughly cleaned. How are commercial dryer vent lines cleaned? The process for commercial dryer vent cleaning will vary for each site, and an experienced commercial tech will fully assess the situation and lay out a detailed plan that utilizes the most appropriate tools and methods for the configuration of the vent line.  Because of the configuration of this particular dryer vent line, the commercial techs who planned the job had to do things a bit differently than a typical job. Since dryer vent cleaning air hoses (to which the cleaning tool is attached) are not generally utilized in lengths beyond 50 feet, this vent line would have to be partially disassembled in order to be effectively cleaned. Additionally, though the tools used (typically a skipper ball) have little trouble propelling themselves around 90-degree turns in vent lines, asking them to negotiate more than two of these turns is unrealistic. To start, the technicians removed the first elbow and tested for air flow with the dryer running, which, not surprisingly, was poor. Then, after reconnecting this elbow and beginning from the portion of the vent line that immediately exits the dryer, they inserted a forward-blowing spinning skipper ball. This tool, when engaged, has a head that simultaneously spins and also thrusts air out from tiny holes on its surface, which propels the lint forward in the vent line, toward the exhaust point. Proceeding with the tool in this manner, 25 feet at a time, the technicians would disassemble a portion of the vent line, insert the forward skipper and let it push the lint forward, with the help of the rooftop exhaust fan. Then they would disassemble a portion farther down the line, insert the skipper to repeat the process, then reassemble. In this manner the entire length of the vent line was cleaned and reassembled. The final step was to shut the power off to the fan and clean the fan blades, and then reattach the cleaned bird screen.  As you can see from the above photo after the job was complete, their efforts paid off, ridding the spa's dryer vent of a huge amount of combustible lint.
How often should commercial dryer vents be cleaned? Dryer vents belonging to spas and salons will need to be cleaned more frequently than residential dryer vents for several reasons. The dryers at these establishments are often in use 8 hours a day all week long, as opposed to those in the home of a family of 4 who may use the dryer several times a week at most. Additionally, towels tend to create more lint than other laundry items, thereby building up in the vent line faster. Salons and spas also end up with a lot of hair in the vent lines, by nature of the work they do, which exacerbates clogs. And finally, commercial vent lines tend to be much longer than those of residential dryer vents, leading to more buildup. It's unclear exactly why, but short dryer vent runs have much less potential for lint buildup. The answer may have something to do with the inability of the dryer to produce enough air to propel lint 100 feet out the exhaust point, though doing so 5 to 10 feet is an easy feat. Several of our commercial dryer vent cleaning clients that are in the salon or spa business have set up quarterly dryer vent cleanings. If you're a business owner and are unsure how often you should have yours cleaned, most HVAC cleaning companies offer free estimates for commercial work, providing an opportunity for you to have the system evaluated and a quote generated. If you are present during the estimate, you can ask questions of the project estimator to gain knowledge of the specific needs of your business's unique dryer vent system. Wanna dig deeper? Our commercial dryer vent cleaning page contains detailed descriptions, before and after photos, and videos of our commercial dryer vent cleaning processes. View Commercial Dryer Vent Cleaning Page Many thanks to our commercial project manager Ben S for lending his expertise to this article. Regular chimney sweeping and inspection is essential to maintaining the integrity of your chimney structure, preventing costly repairs by catching any issues early, and protecting your family and home from the risk of a chimney fire. An annual chimney sweep is quite affordable, especially when compared with the potential cost of not doing so, and ideally should be carried out by a CSIA-certified company. Here's why you should do it regularly.  1. To avoid level 3 creosote buildup. Creosote is a black, often tar-like substance that forms as a byproduct of burning wood. It clings to the inside of the chimney and accumulates over time to become a fire hazard. (It can also create a musty, smoky odor, which tends to become more pronounced in the summer months when humidity is high.) The very presence of creosote in your chimney encourages more buildup, as air flow becomes restricted, reducing draft and allowing less oxygen to the firebox, resulting in a fire that does not burn as hot—a condition that facilitates creosote buildup. The buildup is designated level 1, 2, or 3 to indicate its severity. Simply speaking, level 1 creosote resembles a powdery soot and is fairly easily removed. Level 2 tends toward hard black flakes. Level 3 creosote buildup is a thick, glazed-on tar that coats the inside of the flue and is very difficult (and costly) to remove. Regular chimney cleaning will help to rid your chimney of dangerous (and stinky) creosote before it reaches level 3 severity.  2. To check for a chimney cap. Most chimney cleaning companies will check for the presence of a chimney cap during a cleaning or inspection and recommend one if it is absent, as the benefits to having a cap are plenty. Chimney caps that include wire mesh prevent animals from nesting inside and creating obstructions. A cap also prevents rainwater and snow from entering the chimney and causing damage to both the chimney and potentially the interior of your home. If a chimney cap is noted during an inspection, the technician will make sure it is in good condition, the correct size, and securely placed, and that its mesh screen is free from blockage by leaves, creosote, soot, and other debris.  3. To clear blockages. Even if you don’t use your chimney, blockages can still occur as a result of tree growth, fallen leaves—and especially nests. Animals and insects are often attracted to the warmth of the chimney and build nests inside, clogging the flue with lots of combustible debris and creating a fire hazard. If the chimney’s inhabitants become trapped and die, their rotting remains create a foul smell as well as a health hazard and should be cleared as soon as possible. A yearly cleaning will ensure that any blockages are thoroughly removed.  4. To look for signs of damage or disrepair. Even if your chimney does not require cleaning, it should at least be inspected yearly. Freeze-and-thaw cycles cause even an unused chimney to deteriorate over time. During a basic cleaning or inspection the technician will look for any evidence of damage or wear that should be addressed, such as cracks in the flue or firebox, crumbling mortar, etc. (In some extreme cases, the mere act of the technician sending his brush up the chimney results in falling mortar, a clear indication of a compromised flue in need of repair.) From the rooftop, the technician will look for fissures in the chimney crown and flue tiles, as well as spalling brick or crumbling mortar. In many cases any damage noted will be documented with photos. It’s important to remember that the longer any disrepair goes unaddressed, the more expensive the eventual repair will likely be, so it pays to stay on top of this.  5. To check the condition of other flues (water heater, furnace, etc.) Keep in mind that your fireplace chimney is not the only flue in your home, and the others—including any furnace, boiler, or water heater flues—should be cleaned regularly as well. Blockages in these flues can result in dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and contribute to the deterioration of the flue lining. A compromised flue lining can result in gases leaking into the house or even damage to the flue itself. Many companies offer some kind of multiple services discount, so you can save money by having all your flues cleaned and checked at the same time. Wanna dig deeper? Download our free tipsheet: 5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Chimney Cleaning Company.
Download Tipsheet It’s a fair question. It stands to reason that using powerful equipment to blow and suck dirt in order to move it from inside your ducts to an industrial containment off-site might result in some residual debris or airborne dust in your house. But how much is acceptable, and how much is normal? A good tech from a reputable company should do everything they can to minimize this nuisance  Preliminary precautions to keep your home clean
The first thing any tech should do when entering your home is either remove their shoes or place booties over them to prevent depositing onto your floor whatever was on their soles. They’ll also likely lay down tarps to protect your flooring from the large vacuum hose that will run from their truck down to your furnace (unless they’re using portable equipment). Some technicians will up the meticulousness factor further by placing corner guards to protect wall corners from any potential damage. In order to position the vacuum hose in your main trunk line, they’ll need to cut access into it, and for this task they’ll probably use tin snips. To prevent those tiny metal shavings from falling onto your floor (ouch!), there are products, such as Chipmaster, that collect the shards before they fall. Any technician not taking this simple precaution should cleanly sweep them up. Another precaution they may take, depending on how large your home is and what level of cleaning you’ve selected, is to cover the vents with adhesive or magnetic vent covers. These aid in keeping the dust level down when each of the other vents are being serviced with the cleaning tools. The covers can also help to create extra suction power. On a smaller system (under 2500 sq ft), they may not be needed and in fact may be counterproductive because of the sheer force of the vacuum. During the service Most air duct cleanings work by utilizing the power of negative pressure. An industrial-strength vacuum is hooked into the trunk line near the furnace. Then, with the system under negative pressure, the technician services each vent, room by room, with various tools designed to move debris from the branch lines to the trunk, where it's captured by the vacuum. This negative pressure is the key component to minimizing the blow-back of debris into the house: all of the force or pressure exerted by the tools is directed toward the vacuum, increasing the negative air flow. Any vent covers placed over the registers will help in this process, both by creating more suction and by preventing debris from exiting the vents that aren't being serviced. In some cases, especially when the vents are particularly dirty, a small amount of dust from the corner of the vent will go airborne briefly in a small poof when the tool is initially engaged, usually being quickly sucked back into the system shortly thereafter. When things go wrong Things don't always go according to plan, of course, and sometimes despite the best intentions more dust than we'd like escapes the system and enters the living space. There are a few scenarios under which this could happen. In some cases when additions are constructed onto houses or retrofitting has been carried out, new vents are installed too close to the existing ones, or two vents are installed on the same branch. This unconventional installation is one of the most common reasons for dust exiting the vents during a cleaning. Excessive dust can also occur when a basic duct cleaning is performed on a system that begs for a higher-level cleaning, since large volumes of dust are present and being agitated but the tools used are insufficient to handle it all. Sometimes budget-conscious customers opt for a lower level of cleaning than needed, reasoning that a basic cleaning is better than none at all. It is arguably better to simply wait until the appropriate level of cleaning can be purchased. Finally, a cheap, ill-fitting, or bent furnace filter could easily allow dust to bypass the filter during the cleaning of the returns, causing dust to enter the supply line and escape from the supply vents. When this occurs, it is usually quickly apparent to anyone in the house, and a diligent technician will specifically check for these things before beginning the cleaning. In the event any of these problems occur, the technician should immediately halt work, investigate, correct the problem, and finally—clean up. After the fact With the proper precautions, many on the part of the tech but some (like air filter issues) on the part of the homeowner, excessive dust entering the home during routine air duct cleaning can easily be avoided. Small amounts of residual dust are normal and difficult to avoid, but large amounts of airborne debris settling onto furniture and into the carpet are not. A diligent technician will not only take precautions to prevent the accumulation of debris inside the home but will also perform any cleanup necessary. A diligent homeowner will inform the technician if they are unsatisfied with any aspect of the job, including residual debris. The cleaning company will want to be made aware of these occurrences as well, so that they can ensure technicians receive proper or additional training in this regard, and so that they can ensure the homeowner is satisfied with the final outcome. Wanna dig deeper? Download our free tipsheet: 10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Air Duct Cleaning Company. Download Tipsheet Many thanks to our technicians Ben S and Roy S for lending their expertise to this article. The process of buying or selling a home can be equal parts joyful and stressful, as the invested parties consider each element of the transaction and how important it is to the transaction as a whole. Realtors and home inspectors play a large role in this back-and-forth, weighing in on aspects they deem important for their clients. Often HVAC cleaningenters into the discussion, sometimes requested by the buyer as a condition of purchase, or performed by the seller as an incentive prior to listing. But how important is it to have HVAC systems cleaned on the transfer of property, and which party is responsible for paying for the service  On the latter question, that depends, says Carolynn Carleton, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Burnet in Minneapolis. "Right now, it's a seller's market, so it's more difficult getting sellers to accommodate demands or conditions on the part of the buyer, since they can simply take the next offer." If it's a buyers market, on the other hand, the buyer can more easily set performance of a service as a condition of purchase. "Every transaction is unique." Whoever pays for HVAC cleaning services, there are several that should be considered in order to ensure a smooth transaction, and to ensure the cleanliness and proper function of the various systems for the incoming party. Air Duct Cleaning The average person having any awareness of the detritus that lurks inside air ducts would choose to have them cleaned when taking ownership of a new property. Besides the usual gross accumulation inside, such as pet fur and dander, crumbs, and household dust, our technicians find all manner of strange items in ducts. Anything that can be dropped down a vent (or in many cases deliberately placed there) can be found within. It's wise, and common, for new homeowners to either request this service of the seller or do it themselves on move-in. In our experience, air duct cleaning may best be left to the buyer on move-in. Our office has handled many calls from sellers looking to have their ducts cleaned either because they are getting ready to list their home and want to increase its attractiveness to a prospective buyer, or they already have a buyer and said buyer has made air duct cleaning a condition of purchase. Unfortunately, sellers on their way out often choose the lowest tier of service, which may or may not suffice for the condition of their ducts—particularly if it's been a long time since they've been cleaned. Besides being potentially unfair to the buyer, this choice could complicate matters for both buyer and seller at closing. We've observed on occasion that after a maintenance-level duct cleaning was ordered by the seller—believed sufficient to fulfill their obligation--an inspector on final walk-through determined the air ducts to be insufficiently clean, thus delaying the closing. This is a situation no one wants to find themselves in. Carolynn, with Coldwell Banker Burnet, represented a buyer a few years ago who was highly allergic to cats. When this client set her sights on a house whose occupants owned several, they decided to amend the purchase agreement with a stipulation that the sellers have the air ducts and carpet cleaned prior to purchase. The sellers did so and then provided the receipt to the title company prior to closing so everything would be in order. The closing went off without a hitch, but as a precaution, considering her client's allergies and the ubiquity of pet dander, Carolynn recommended her client have the process repeated on move-in, ensuring her environment was as free of allergens as it could be. Dryer vent cleaning Because dryer vent cleaning is critical to home fire safety, it's an HVAC cleaning task that should be performed regularly. The seller should be asked when this service was last performed, and if not within the past year, the buyer should see to it shortly after move-in (if not prior to purchase). Examination of the dryer exhaust system falls well within the purview of home inspection and thus this system will be looked at by the buyer's inspector. They will check, among other things, that the vent line terminates outside the home, that the correct type of venting material is used, and that there is no screening over the exhaust termination (which could trap lint). Often, however, in the course of cleaning out a dryer vent line, technicians discover hidden irregularities (behind a wall, for example) that were missed during inspection and that could cause significant damage if left unaddressed. In the photo below, for example, we observed a dryer vent that had been exhausting into a floor/ceiling cavity because of a disconnect in the vent line. (Because the visible parts of the vent line were secure—including that from the dryer into the wall behind the machine, and that seen from the exhaust vent outside the house--everything appeared to be normal.) Judging by the amount of lint observed, this condition was present for a couple years before its discovery by our technician, shortly after purchase of the home.  Because HVAC cleaning technicians usually focus on one or two systems during a service rather than the house as a whole, they can sometimes have an advantage over inspectors in discovering defects in a system. In the case of dryer vents, in the process of cleaning the vent line the technician must check for good air flow from the outside exhaust as part of making a determination that the line is clean and clear. When a disconnect is present, air flow from the outside vent will not be achieved, thus prompting the technician to investigate and troubleshoot.
Chimney sweeping No one wants to move into a home with a dirty chimney or fireplace. But even less desirable than unsightly debris in the firebox is the danger of creosote buildup on the inner walls of the chimney. Creosote forms as the byproduct of wood burning. It builds up inside the chimney over time, inhibiting draft, and, in sufficient quantities, creating a fire hazard. A thorough chimney sweep is definitely in order before use of the fireplace by new homeowners. While it's important to remove blockages and buildup from the chimney, just as critical is having its structural integrity evaluated in the form of an inspection. Many chimney sweeps offer Level 1 inspections free with a chimney sweeping service, but the CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) recommends a Level 2 inspection on the sale or transfer of a property. This advanced level of inspection will include a video scan of the interior surfaces of the chimney, to look for cracks in the liner or flue tiles and other deficiencies. The condition of a listed home's chimney will usually be referenced in either the Agent Remarks or the Public Remarks on the MLS listing ("chimney is functional," "chimney needs to be checked," etc) so that the buyer can make a determination as to whether its condition or how thoroughly it's been checked is acceptable to them. Carolynn, our Minneapolis-based realtor, said that many listing agents will have the chimney checked out before the property is even listed, particularly if it hasn't been used in a long time, in order to avoid any potential liability. She generally recommends that her sellers have an inspection performed so the chimney can be deemed safe, since this can serve as a huge incentive for buyers—and by extension a huge disincentive if it hasn't been done. Many buyers will not even consider a property whose chimney has not been checked, and they themselves do not want to undertake the cost of doing so—or worse, risk purchasing the home only to find out on move-in that the chimney is in a state of disrepair. Chimney repair jobs routinely run into the thousands of dollars. Ultimately it's up to the buyer and seller and their representatives to hash out which services are appropriate and when, as well as who will cover the cost. With all parties entering the negotiations well-informed and in good faith, the end result should be a smooth transfer of property and a safe and welcoming home environment. Wanna dig deeper? Explore our HVAC cleaning service pages, including a detailed description of the cleaning process and tools utilized for each system. View HVAC Cleaning Services Many thanks to our technician Roy S. for lending his expertise to this article. Dryer vent cleaning is usually a pretty routine event: the technician inserts a tool through the vent line from the outside and feeds it through to the back of the dryer, then pulls the tool out, extracting the lint with it. But every once in a while our technicians encounter a particular job that is not so easy, or so routine.  The symptoms In March 2019 a homeowner in Maple Grove contacted us for a routine dryer vent cleaning. His dryer was not working efficiently and was taking much longer than usual to dry clothes. This is a frequent symptom of a clogged dryer vent, so our technician did not expect to find anything out of the ordinary. The dryer vent exhausted out the second floor of the home, about 15 feet up, making the total vent line about 30 feet in length. Longer vent lines often harbor more lint than shorter ones—for example, those that vent straight out the back wall. The first order of business for our tech on this job, as with any dryer vent cleaning, was to vacuum the machine's lint trap compartment with a crevice-tool vacuum attachment. This step removes any debris that sneaked past the lint trap. He then eyeballed the back of the dryer to ensure all of the connections were secure. With those two tasks complete, he ascended the ladder 15 feet up to the outside vent. The diagnosis Having turned the machine on "air dry" before leaving the laundry room, the technician expected to observe at least some air flow exiting the outside vent, but there was none at all. For this reason he assumed he was dealing with a 100% blockage in the form of a dryer vent clog. This is the number one reason for restricted air flow through a dryer vent line. His tool of choice is a reverse-blowing spinning skipper ball attached to the end of an air snake. This he feeds into the vent line through the outside vent, where warm air (and some lint) typically exhausts. He expected to meet some resistance in the form of a clog, but he soon heard the skipper ball reach the back of the dryer, at which point he realized his first assumption may have been incorrect. On pulling the tool back toward him, a good deal of lint was expelled, but not as much as expected for a clog capable of completely restricting air flow. He inserted and retracted the tool several times until he was confident all of the lint was removed from the vent line. Now certain that the issue was not a clogged vent line, he proceeded downstairs and had a closer look at the machine itself. Pulling the machine away from the wall, he noticed there was an exceptional amount of lint behind it. He further noticed that the portion of the vent line that normally extends from the back of the dryer across the bottom of the unit and connects to the fan was disconnected, sitting idle and useless in the bottom of the machine, enveloped in a gray cloud of combustible lint. The solution This particular dryer vent disconnect was unusual in that everything appeared, from the outside, to be appropriately connected. Additionally, the location of the disconnect, inside the dryer itself, is relatively rare; often disconnects occur further down the vent line, sometimes behind wall cavities or inside the attic.  Disconnects in the dryer itself pose a particular danger in that instead of lint building up down the vent line, removed from the machine and its heating element, in this case it builds up inside the dryer itself. Lint is highly combustible and easily airborne, so one can imagine how its blowing around inside the dryer near the heating element would be extremely problematic.
The first thing the technician set about doing was cleaning out all of the lint from inside the dryer, with an industrial vacuum. The photo above was taken when that process was nearly complete. Once the lint was thoroughly removed, he easily reconnected the missing portion of the vent line, confident that after doing so, excellent air flow would be established. He was correct. The lesson Having your dryer vent regularly cleared of lint and any blockages serves several purposes, primary of which is to minimize the fire hazard created by a buildup of lint. Doing so also improves the machine's efficiency, by increasing the air flow necessary for it to do its job. But the often overlooked or unanticipated benefit of dryer vent cleaning is the discovery of these vent line disconnects, which typically occur in places where they can't be seen. Left unaddressed, they wreak havoc inside the home, exhausting warm, moist air into spaces where it surely doesn't belong. Once corrected, the vent line exhausts fully outside, where the warm air, moisture, and bits of lint quickly disperse and harm nothing, as intended. Wanna dig deeper? Download our free tipsheet: 5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Dryer Vent Cleaning Company. Download Tipsheet Many thanks to our technicians Ben S and Roy S for lending their expertise to this article. Your HVAC system relies on good air flow to work its magic: heating, cooling, and ventilating your home. When your furnace is choked with dirt, your flue blocked with animal nesting, or your dryer vent clogged with lint, these systems are hindered. At best the associated system loses efficiency, at worst you risk a house fire or the backup of toxic gases into your home  Let's take a look at how proper air flow affects the smooth functioning of each of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems. We'll include the dryer venting system here, though not strictly considered part of the HVAC system. (It does feature a vent, after all, and serves to exhaust heated air outdoors.) Air flow creates draft in your chimney Your chimney relies on the process of draft to maintain combustion and to safely vent its byproducts from your home. This includes not only your fireplace flue but your furnace, water heater, and boiler flues as well. Via the process of draft, warm air and the smoke or gases it carries from the source of combustion, moves up through the flue and is exhausted outside the house, often onto the roof. Any kind of blockage or other hindrance will impede air flow and prevent draft. Without draft, of course, the necessary sequence of events will not unfold, at which point back-drafting can occur. In the case of a fireplace chimney, this will result in smoke coming back into the home rather than exiting the chimney. In the case of a utility flue (furnace, etc.), this will result in toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide, backing up dangerously into your living space. Air flow carries warm air and lint away from your dryer As your clothes dryer spins and fluffs and dries, the hot air generated by the machine is pushed out the back of the unit and through the dryer vent line, where it safely exhausts outside. Over time, as tiny bits of lint are deposited within the vent line, air flow slowly becomes restricted. Restricted air flow begets restricted air flow; that is, the more lint that is deposited, the more air flow is restricted, in turn leading to more buildup, until air flow is choked off completely by a dryer vent clog. Once a dryer vent clog has formed and air does not flow freely, several things can happen. The best-case scenario is that your dryer's efficiency is reduced and takes longer to dry clothes, or it simply shuts down. The worst-case scenario is that the heat, having no escape, builds up inside the vent line and ignites the lint, causing a fire. For this reason, no dryer vent cleaning job is considered complete until good air flow has been observed from the outside exhaust vent. Air flow through the air conditioner's A-coil transfers heat Your A-coil, or evaporator coil, is one of the indoor components of your air conditioning system. Its function, by way of a series of refrigerant-filled tubes, is to absorb heat, thus cooling your indoor air in the summer. The exterior of the A-coil consists of a series of small, tightly spaced fins that help this process. Because these fins usher air toward the coil, when they are dirty or clogged the entire process is interrupted. But the ill effects of poor air flow through the A-coil are not limited to your air conditioning system. Because all air that circulates through the HVAC system passes through the A-coil—whether it is your furnace or the AC that's running—a clogged evaporator coil has the potential to hamper not only the cooling of your home but its heating as well, and to drive up utility bills. Dirty components equal restricted air flow equals reduced efficiency equals higher energy costs. You get the picture. Air flow through the furnace generates heat Your furnace's job is to pull air from the return air ducts, warm it, and push the warmed air out through the supply ducts into your living space. Proper air flow is of course critical to this process, from beginning to end and back around again. Here are some points at which it is especially vital.
Maintain proper air flow with HVAC system cleaning If you've read this far you probably don't need convincing that proper air flow is critical to the smooth functioning of your HVAC system. Any hindrance to adequate air flow in the form of dirt or debris can create havoc and lead to equipment breakdowns. HVAC cleaning calls into action an arsenal of specialized tools (rotary brushes, air snakes, tentacled air whips, high-pressured air triggers, industrial vacuums) and technician expertise to rid the system of component-clogging dirt and debris. The result is a system that functions more smoothly and efficiently, performing its task in less time and using less energy to do so. Just as our lungs and respiratory systems need unobstructed, smooth intake and exhalation of air to function as they should, so must our HVAC systems be able to "breathe" freely in order to do their best work for us. Wanna dig deeper? Explore our HVAC cleaning service pages, including a detailed description of the cleaning process and tools utilized for each system. View HVAC Cleaning Services Many thanks to our technician Roy S. for lending his expertise to this article. And why is it necessary? An annual chimney sweep is beneficial in a number of ways, most importantly because the process removes creosote buildup from the inner walls of the chimney. Creosote, which is a sticky tar-like substance that adheres to the inside of the chimney, is highly flammable and requires regular removal in order to prevent chimney fires. Even if you do not burn wood in your fireplace regularly, the chimney is still susceptible to blockage from animal nests, the debris from which could easily ignite when you do start a fire.  The average cost of chimney sweepingHiring a professional chimney sweep will generally cost you between $100 and $300, with deep discounts at the low end of that range, and conditions requiring increased labor at the high end.
Dedicated DIYers can find chimney sweeping brushes online for as low as $20 if you're willing to put in the time, research, and labor. This route comes with risks, of course, particularly if working from the roof. Do it yourself and you'd also be missing out on the trained eye of a professional. When you purchase a chimney sweeping service, after all, you're also in effect paying for the technician's experience and expertise. Additionally, chimney sweep professionals, because they sweep several chimneys a day, tend to invest in state-of-the-art, industry-grade equipment both for its effectiveness and efficiency. Factors that increase costThough most companies have a standard price they charge for run-of-the-mill chimney sweep jobs, surcharges are often necessary for conditions that will render the job more labor-intensive or risky. Some examples:
Finding a companyPricing for a chimney sweep service will vary from company to company, as will the quality of work performed. Some questions you may consider asking in order to arrive at an informed decision include the following:
Wanna dig deeper? Download our free tipsheet: 5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Chimney Cleaning Company. Download Tipsheet Air ducts can get pretty dirty. Disgusting even, as the below photo shows. When your home's air ducts look like this, a run-of-the-mill air duct cleaning job isn't going to cut it. Why? Most basic-level air duct cleaning services feature high-pressured air as the mover of debris. But when said debris is abundant or "clingy" (e.g. drywall dust, pet fur), a more aggressive method is called for.  Cleaning the branch lines The photo above was taken by one of our technicians in the branch line of a Minneapolis home, built in 2001, whose ducts had never been cleaned. As you can see, a lot of the debris is clinging to the walls of the duct, and the buildup is extensive. If this duct were to be cleaned with mere air pressure, a good deal of the debris would be pushed down the branch line into the main trunk for the vacuum to gobble up. But an unacceptable amount would be left behind, still clinging to the duct walls. During the Ultimate Duct Cleaning, the first step of the process is for the technician to slip a tool called the Viper Microline down the branch line. Its single flexible-plastic tentacle is ideal for the snug confines of a branch line. When this tool is engaged, it thrashes quickly and vigorously every which way inside the duct, dislodging debris from the duct walls and sending it airborne. The tool moves slowly down the vent and through the duct, with its forward-blowing air nozzle blasting the debris in front of it as it moves, pushing it toward the trunk lines. The technician will take the Microline to each branch-line vent, pushing the accumulative mass of debris into the trunk lines before moving to clean those.  It is this physical contact of the tool with every inch of the duct wall that makes this level of cleaning so effective. Even stubbornly clinging dust stands no chance against the physical force of the Microline, as shown above. Cleaning the trunk lines Once the branch lines have been whipped, the technician moves to the main trunk lines to clean the debris accumulated from above. Because these ducts are much larger, the tool of choice here is the Viper Clean Sweep. This tool features six 16-inch long flexible-plastic tentacles, ideal for the roominess of main trunk lines.  With an industrial vacuum in place at an access point created just before the furnace in the main return line, the technician inserts the tool—it requires only a 1-inch access point--at the other end. From there the action is similar to that of the Microline but on a larger scale. As the multiple tentacles whip aggressively to and fro inside the duct, debris is dislodged and rendered airborne. The forward-blowing air nozzles send airborne debris toward the vacuum, and debris that isn't airborne is pushed forward by the thrashing of the tentacles. Either way, the collective fate of the debris is to be whooshed down the vacuum at the end of the line. The process is then repeated in the main supply line.  No top-of-the-line air duct cleaning would be complete without cleaning the furnace—the heart of the HVAC system. Since most homes with dirty ducts also have dirty furnaces, and since a dirty furnace will cause dirty air to move into the ducts, it makes sense to clean them both at once. Letting the tool speak for itself . . . No number of action words strung together in a sentence can convey the effectiveness of a tool better than a video of it in action: We humans love our furry companions. And for some of us, let's face it, our perception of their cuteness directly correlates with their level of fluffiness (with exceptions, of course). Alas, our heating and cooling systems do not find their fluffiness so adorable. The monstrosity below was encountered by one of our technicians at a home in Plymouth, MN, when he created an access hole in their main return duct. At the risk of stating the obvious, the homeowners had a large dog, and it had been many years since their ducts had been cleaned.  Pet fur inside the air ducts Those of us with pets know how ubiquitous their fur is—it's everywhere! As your pet moves around the home, loose hair becomes airborne and comes to rest on the carpet, on furniture, in your food(!), and in the vents. Since animal fur strands are generally much larger than run-of-the-mill household dust, they get hung up much more easily than smaller particles. Once hung up inside the ducts, they become a magnet for more fur and for other debris, creating mats of fur and dirt like the one pictured above. Pet fur also builds up much more quickly inside the ducts. Whereas typical household dust takes years to build up to an extent that it needs to be removed, animal fur, because of its size and the sheer volume of it, reaches critical mass sooner. Consequently, while people without pets can get by on a standard or "maintenance-level" air duct cleaning every two years, as recommended, those with pets may wish to have the higher level of service performed as their "maintenance" duct cleaning. Pet fur inside the furnace Once pet fur is inside the vents, it moves through the ducts and, under normal circumstances, will be stopped from entering your furnace by the air filter. There on the filter it builds up and, unless the filter is changed regularly, it will become clogged with fur. With some frequency, our technicians have seen filters become so clogged that air cannot move through them, and the filter then bends and can even potentially be sucked into the furnace (and on at least one occasion, ripped apart by the blower wheel!). Once the filter is clogged to this extent and bent, it is of course no longer functioning as a filter of any kind. At this point filter bypass comes into play, where debris simply goes right around the filter into the furnace. (Filter bypass can also occur when an air filter is ill-fitting, incorrectly installed, or extremely low-quality, such as cheap fiberglass, for example.) The last place you want pet fur: the evaporator coil It's inside the furnace and its various components that pet fur becomes extremely problematic, settling into the individual parts, clogging them up and reducing air flow. Since the entire heating and cooling system relies on good air flow to function optimally, efficiency can be greatly reduced when air flow is compromised by fluffy-furry debris.  The evaporator coil (A coil) is particularly susceptible to buildup, since all the air that circulates through your HVAC system passes through it. Both the furnace and the air conditioner will lose efficiency, work harder, and be subject to break-downs when air flow through the evaporator coil is compromised. The close-up above shows a mat of pet fur choking off air flow on the delicate fins of the coil. Because of the sheer size and "magnetic" quality of animal fur, if it manages to bypass the filter and reach the evaporator coil, it has the potential to disrupt the entire system  Above is what the evaporator coil should look like without its fur coat, the tiny holes free and clear of debris, allowing for easy movement of air and for the transfer of heat. If the coil above had a face, it'd surely have a smile on it.
Cleaning fur from the HVAC system Considering the potential ravages of animal fur on the heating and cooling system, and that preventive maintenance is always a better (and less costly) option than repair, homeowners with pets should consider opting for the highest level of air duct cleaning service, including a furnace cleaning. Thereafter they should opt for at least the mid-level service as a maintenance cleaning. Why? Because for most companies, the top-tier service would include use of a tentacled air whip or brush used on the main trunk and the branch lines. The physical contact of the tool against the walls of the ducts—as opposed to the mere blowing that air pressure would provide—would aid in loosening any pet fur clinging to them. A thorough furnace cleaning would then remove from the inner components of the furnace any fur that made it past the filter—hopefully before it becomes too abundant and reaches the evaporator coil. So as a savvy homeowner and a diligent pet owner, in addition to frequently vacuuming your carpet to remove pet hair from all the places you can see it, consider having your air ducts cleaned frequently to remove it from all the places you can't .Wanna dig deeper? Download our free tipsheet: 10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Air Duct Cleaning Company. Download Tipsheet Many thanks to our technicians Ben S and Roy S for lending their expertise to this article. |
