Air ducts play an important role in your home. They circulate the air from your heating and cooling systems into and out of each room in your home multiple times a day. If neglected, air ducts can become your worst enemy. They collect dust, dirt, pollen, mold and allergens, as well as pet hair and dander, which are then recirculated throughout your home. Dirty ducts can also impede airflow, which keep your HVAC system from working efficiently.
Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning
A clean duct system means healthier air for you and your family and a more efficient HVAC system. Just as bookshelves get dusty over time, so does your home’s duct work. It can also collect dirt, pollen, allergens and pet dander — which is then circulated around your home. This significantly reduces your indoor air quality and comfort, especially for those who suffer from allergies, asthma or other respiratory conditions. Additionally, dirty ducts can impede airflow, leading to inefficient flow of conditioned air and the potential to use more energy, which can result in higher bills.
Do I Need Air Duct Cleaning?
If your furniture or drapes are dusty, your house is more than 10 years old, or a family member’s allergies are acting up, those are good signs that you should look into air duct cleaning services. If your home was recently remodeled, dust and allergens were likely stirred up enough to warrant a cleaning as well.
Some ducts have been dirty from the time the home was built. It was commonplace — especially in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s — for builders not to clean the ducts after completing construction. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommends cleaning your home’s ducts every five years.
What Is Included in Duct Cleaning?
During a Bell Brothers duct cleaning service, we start the process by taking photos of the inside of your ducts to document the “before” condition. Then, we determine the best cleaning method for your particular situation. There are two methods used for duct cleaning: a BrushBeast and a negative air machine. The BrushBeast is preferred; it uses a brushing system attached to a large, specialized vacuum that runs through the ducts. The brush goes down through the registers and back through the main trunk line.
Register grills are removed and air vent cleaning is performed during the service as well. Finally, we deodorize the ducts and provide “after” photos so you can see the difference. The entire air duct cleaning process can take anywhere from four to six hours, depending on the size of your home.
Not all air duct cleaners and services are created equal, however. Beware of low-priced services, as they often simply take off your registers and use a wet/dry vacuum to clean out the supply duct as far as it can reach. This is not what you want. A detailed cleaning helps remove unpleasant odors, improve air flow, and allow your HVAC system to operate at peak efficiency to provide you with the most cost-effective performance.
Duct Cleaning Cost
As with any HVAC service, ensure that the business is qualified and transparent about what is included in their services. Be skeptical of offers that seem “too good to be true.” According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), proper duct cleaning services typically range in cost from $450 to $1,000 per heating and cooling system. The price should be determined by the size of your home, the number of ducts and their configuration. A good duct cleaning will provide five years of clean air for your family and help ensure your HVAC system is operating at peak performance.
Air Duct Cleaning Before and After
