Air Duct Cleaning Process
Air duct cleaning involves multiple components, including registers, filters, plenums, evaporator coils, and air handlers. Upon arrival, our technicians will inspect your duct system’s access points and current condition to customize a game plan. Utilizing a vacuum unit, we will create negative air pressure in the air ducts – ensuring dirt and other debris do not spread. We will then remove pollutants and icky buildup. Before leaving, our team will also complete a final inspection of the air ducts for quality assurance.
Duct Inspection
We visually inspect the air ducts for two reasons:
- To assess the amount of dirt and debris in the ducts before and after cleaning. Some locations have cameras that can probe deeply into the ducts.
- To check for leaks or kinks. We also excel at repairing and replacing damaged ductwork.
Vacuuming
We use heavy-duty HEPA-filtered vacuums to remove dust and debris from your ductwork. The process entails three steps:
- We hook up our vacuum close to the air handler (the heart of the HVAC system) by cutting an access hole, inserting the vacuum’s hose, and tightly sealing where they connect.
- To create negative air pressure, we tightly seal each register with an adhesive cover.
- We use negative pressure, electric brushes, and vacuum power to remove particles trapped inside.
Compressed Air Flush
Once negative pressure is established throughout your ductwork, we will uncover each register one by one to clean various sections. To thoroughly loosen and agitate the dirt, our HVAC specialists use rotating brushes, compressed air tools, and high-powered vacuums. These tools ensure all dislodged particles and debris are entirely extracted.
Clean All Components of HVAC System
Along with your air ducts, we can clean all components of your HVAC system, including the:
- Air handler
- Blower motor
- Filters
- Vents
- Registers
- Evaporator coil
- Drain pan
With clean parts, a fresh air filter, and eco-friendly disinfectants, we can exponentially improve the air quality in your home.
Air Duct Cleaning Cost
Several factors impact the price of air duct cleaning, including:
- The type of ductwork
- Number of crew members required
- Amount of labor involved
- Level of contamination
- Presence of vermin/insect infestation
- Ductwork system’s size and accessibility
- Environmental factors
Hiring a Professional HVAC Company vs Cleaning Air Ducts Yourself
Routinely replacing air filters and dusting around vents helps. However, these measures alone are not enough to keep air ducts clean: normal DIY cleaning protocols will merely tackle a small portion of a ductwork system. Invisible and inaccessible, most of your ductwork sits behind walls and underneath floors. These hard-to-reach areas are where mold, dust, and infestations usually begin. By only accessing the vent openings, amateur cleaning will fail to clean these aspects of an air ventilation system. With cutting-edge tools and proven techniques, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning can deliver extensive and lasting results.
How Long Does it Take to Clean Air Ducts?
In general, the air duct system in a single-family home should take two to four hours to clean. That said, the length of time it takes to clean air ducts depends on many variables. The size, scope, and accessibility of the ductwork system are primary factors. The extent of the contamination and the age of the home will also impact the duration of a professional cleaning.
How Clean Are Your Air Ducts?
Visual cues that your air ducts are dirty and need to be cleaned include:
- Visible mold growth
- Signs of vermin, rodent, or insect infestation
- Clogged air filters and vents restricting airflow
- Visible particles of dust and debris being released from supply registers
- Recurring layers of dust on indoor surfaces
Noises and smells coming from ductworks are also telltale signs that your air ducts may be filthy.
Is Air Duct Cleaning Really Worth It?
If you care about HVAC efficiency and IAQ, ductwork cleanings are invaluable. The following conditions are further reasons to promptly request air duct maintenance:
- Vermin or insect infestations
- Recurring and unexplained allergy- and asthma-related illnesses
- Visible mold/mildew or musty/stale smells coming from inside the ducts
- Recent renovations, remodeling, or construction work (asbestos abatement, lead paint removal, and sanded walls/floors all warrant immediate air duct cleaning)
- Visual contaminants, such as dirt, dust, and pet dander
How Often Should Your Air Ducts Get Cleaned?
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends cleaning residential air ducts every 3 to 5 years. Even with regularly replaced air filters, airborne particles can slip through small cracks, vents, and leaks. If you live in an urban or suburban area with high pollution, constant construction, and/or windy/dusty weather, your ducts are likely trapping and recirculating unhealthy particles at a fairly concerning rate. This is why air ducts should receive professional maintenance every few years to sustain HVAC efficiency and clean indoor air.
What Can You Do to Help Keep Your Air Ducts Maintained After Cleaning?
To keep your air ducts clean, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning recommends:
- Keeping your home dust-free
- Frequently replacing air filters
- Leaving air vents open
In addition to ductwork cleaning, we also sell and install a range of indoor air quality products, including:
Maintaining fresh air is a year-round process!
Also Providing Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Services*
Commercial facilities usually entail complex ductwork systems that require thorough maintenance. Regularly changing air filters is helpful, but indoor air quality levels will gradually decline, nonetheless. By having your ductwork cleaned, you will benefit from a healthier work environment and a more efficient system. Utilizing electric-powered rotation bristle brushes to loosen debris/dirt and sucking it all out with HEPA-filtered vacuums, our services will make a dramatic improvement.
Warehouses
As dirt, dust, and dander gradually accumulate in your ductwork, these particles can be pulled into your HVAC system, clog it up, and cause various components to fail. Proactive air duct cleanings will ensure your HVAC equipment functions smoothly for longer and can save you money in the long run.
Offices
If employees occupy your commercial building for multiple hours a day, clean air can significantly improve productivity levels. Studies have shown that focus, engagement, and work performance improve in work environments with clean, fresh air.
Retail Stores & Grocery Stores
Dirty air ducts can spread bacteria, contaminants, and pollutants that cause sickness. As a commercial business that sells food and clothing, you want your employees to be healthy and happy, and your products to look pristine. Duct cleaning can also reduce the average number of annual employee sick days.
Medical Buildings and Hospitals
Routinely cleaning air ducts in hospitals and specialized medical facilities is particularly important. For sanitary and sterile environments, air ducts must be consistently maintained to avoid contamination. With high-powered HEPA-filtered vacuums performing frequent air duct cleanings, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning can dramatically reduce the spread of airborne particles.
Schools
Schools are populated by hundreds of young kids who track in dirt, dander, and pollen that eventually find their way into the air ducts. If left untreated, these young students will experience adverse health effects due to poor indoor air, especially if they are asthmatic, allergy-prone, or susceptible to respiratory illnesses. Our commercial duct cleaning services can remove the dangerous particles they are likely inhaling on a day-to-day basis.
Senior Homes
Seniors are particularly vulnerable to indoor pollution, contaminants, and airborne disease. Be vigilant and keep the air ducts of nursing homes and senior care facilities extra clean with professional maintenance!
Apartment Complexes, Townhomes, and Condos
According to the EPA, a buildup of merely .042 inches of dirt can reduce HVAC efficiency by 21%. Therefore, you can substantially lower your energy bills just by keeping your air ducts clean. Also, many apartment complexes, townhomes, and condos have ductwork systems that distribute air to multiple units. This puts residents at risk of cross-contamination and exposure to the diseases, pollutants, and smells of their neighbors. Let us help you safeguard against these hazards!
For Healthier, Cleaner Air, Call Our Air Duct Cleaning Professionals Today!
Poor indoor air is no joke. When impurities recirculate throughout your household via air ducts, your employees, guests, and/or family are put at risk. Luckily, our duct cleaning specialists are highly trained, well-equipped, and always adhere to our elite code of ethics. This code outlines our commitment to teamwork, integrity, respect for the law, excellence, and consideration of customers’ property and privacy. With the UWIN® seal backing our satisfaction guarantees, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning is one of the most trusted HVAC companies in the nation for a reason.
*Check with your local franchise. Services may vary by location.
Call us right now at (301) 321-7231 to find out more about our ductwork cleaning services. Our team is standing by 24/7 to answer your questions and schedule an appointment.
