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Standard Air Duct Cleaning
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Recommendations
The standard cleaning is best suited for homes that get the air ducts cleaned regularly and have had a thorough cleaning done prior to maintenance cleanings.
The Process
During the Standard Air Duct Cleaning process, the technician attaches an industrial vacuum hose (about 6 inches in diameter) to the ductwork near your furnace, creating negative air pressure throughout the duct system. To do this, he creates an access point (a hole), using a drill and tin snips, that will later be covered with a piece of galvanized sheet metal (otherwise known as a cover plate). If you already have an appropriately positioned access point, he will use the existing one.
Once the access has been created and the vacuum is in place, the technician then services each supply and return vent with an air wand. This device has a nozzle approximately one foot long. It is pliable and fits in between the fins of the registers, exerting roughly 200 lbs. of air pressure. The technician is able to angle the air wand to force any dust and debris down the branch lines and into the main trunk lines.
After all the registers and branch lines have been serviced, the technician moves to the main trunk lines, near your furnace. At this point, an air snake, with a reverse air nozzle, is utilized. In order to create access to these lines, one or more 1-inch holes (which will later be plugged with rubber duct plugs) are drilled into the main trunk line. The technician then inserts the air snake into each hole, one at a time, and, with the help of the reverse air nozzle, the air snake propels itself forward to the end of the trunk line. Then with the air pressure still engaged, the air snake is slowly pulled back toward the furnace, during which time it jostles around inside the trunk line, dislodging dust and debris and bringing it back toward the furnace, where our vacuum catches it. No mess involved!
It is generally recommended that the furnace filter be replaced after air duct cleaning, but if a new filter is not immediately available, the technician can clean your existing one with air pressure (outside your home, of course!) until a new one can be obtained, typically within a week. This will also give the furnace time to cycle through any residual dust that may remain in the system.
Once the technician is finished with the air duct cleaning process, he turns the furnace on to ensure everything is operating smoothly. Sometimes a slight burning smell can be observed when the furnace is first turned on as any residual dust is burned off.
Once the access has been created and the vacuum is in place, the technician then services each supply and return vent with an air wand. This device has a nozzle approximately one foot long. It is pliable and fits in between the fins of the registers, exerting roughly 200 lbs. of air pressure. The technician is able to angle the air wand to force any dust and debris down the branch lines and into the main trunk lines.
After all the registers and branch lines have been serviced, the technician moves to the main trunk lines, near your furnace. At this point, an air snake, with a reverse air nozzle, is utilized. In order to create access to these lines, one or more 1-inch holes (which will later be plugged with rubber duct plugs) are drilled into the main trunk line. The technician then inserts the air snake into each hole, one at a time, and, with the help of the reverse air nozzle, the air snake propels itself forward to the end of the trunk line. Then with the air pressure still engaged, the air snake is slowly pulled back toward the furnace, during which time it jostles around inside the trunk line, dislodging dust and debris and bringing it back toward the furnace, where our vacuum catches it. No mess involved!
It is generally recommended that the furnace filter be replaced after air duct cleaning, but if a new filter is not immediately available, the technician can clean your existing one with air pressure (outside your home, of course!) until a new one can be obtained, typically within a week. This will also give the furnace time to cycle through any residual dust that may remain in the system.
Once the technician is finished with the air duct cleaning process, he turns the furnace on to ensure everything is operating smoothly. Sometimes a slight burning smell can be observed when the furnace is first turned on as any residual dust is burned off.
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 to add to your selected air duct cleaning 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 contact a mold remediation company.
Oxine fog treatment is available to add to your selected air duct cleaning in three options:
- Level I $149.95: Oxine is applied near the furnace, in the main line.
- Level II $199.95: Oxine is applied to the main line and in every return.
- Level III $249.95: 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 contact a mold remediation company.
Ready to Schedule?
Call us or text us at 612-558-1737, email us at info@twincitiesfurnacecleaning.com, or click the button below to schedule online (and save $20).
Multiple Services Discount
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Exclusions & Limitations
- Straightforward pricing is based upon homes with one air duct system. Homes with more than one duct system (indicated by having more than furnace unit), will have a charge per system, in which a $75 discount would be applied to any additional system beyond the first. Pricing rates are not valid for single apartments or single condo residences.
- Please note that our air duct cleanings are designed for traditional residential homes. For duplexes, please note that the cost is for each residence (unless both residences share the same air duct system and furnace unit). A $30 discount would apply to the second residence as long as made for the same appointment date/time.
- Homes that require the use of portable equipment may be subject to additional charges, which the customer would be informed of in advance, with the option to accept or decline.
- Jobs that may require the use of portable equipment (as opposed to truck-mounted) may include downtown residences that have street or underground parking, etc. Generally speaking, the distance of the availability of parking from the work (furnace) area would determine whether portable equipment is necessary.
- While we may be able to clean some ground-level condo units, we are not able to clean all types due the nature of how some are set up (this is left to the discretion of our technicians).
- Our residential cleaning packages are not available for commercial spaces (businesses). These types of residences require a commercial assessment.
- Our residential air duct cleanings are not available for single apartments and upper-level condos. We provide cleanings for these residences in bulk with our commercial cleaning services (as set up by property owners and associations, not individual consumers).
- There are limitations on the weight of objects that can be removed through the process of air duct cleaning. In cases where large chunks of plaster and other building materials are present, as well as stones, toys, etc. (you'd be surprised by some of the things that gather down there!), duct cleaning will not remove them. Duct cleaning is designed for the removal of dust, contaminants, dander, minor debris, etc.—not heavier objects.
- In homes where the registers have been painted over, chipping can sometimes occur if the registers are removed. We'll do our best to minimize this, but it is sometimes unavoidable, as are stripped screws.