When it comes to your home, family, and wallet, you’ll do anything to protect them. Unfortunately, there are a lot of disreputable companies and contractors out there that will do anything to take advantage of you. Unnecessary work is charged to homeowners every day, leaving people skeptical to take on a lot of professional services. Air duct cleaning has sadly been left as a service that property owners are hesitant to pay for.
We’re here to give you the full picture of air duct maintenance, and how to avoid being scammed by not-so-professional companies.
Why Would Air Ducts Need To be Cleaned?
Air duct cleaning should be a thorough cleaning of the coils, air handler, housings, registers, motors, grilles and fans of the system. Some states require HVAC duct cleaning to be a routine service to public buildings.
The EPA take on the issue is to recommend cleaning if the ducts and HVAC unit are contaminated. That means more than just mold. Contaminants could include:
- Pet hair
- Particulate debris
- Nests
- Dead animals
It can also be a legal portion of owning property. Property owners are often responsible for the air quality for rented out spaces. Some states require HVAC duct cleaning to be a routine service to public buildings.
How to Avoid Duct Cleaning Scams
There are reputable, professional HVAC cleaning services all over the U.S. Unfortunately, there are scammers as well. Here are some tips for avoiding scams if you decide to look into having the ducts and HVAC system in your home cleaned:
- Certifications: The cleaning company should be certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association(NADCA), which sets standards for HVAC system cleaning. The EPA does NOT certify duct cleaners and only recommends NADCA certified services. Some states require a license for duct cleaning while others don’t.
- References: Like any contracted service, you should request and check references in your area to find out what was provided for the money, and whether customers were satisfied. If someone cannot provide these, that is a major red flag.
- Estimates: Ask for estimates from at least three HVAC cleaning services. A reputable company should provide those without any issue or pressure. At Air Duct Maintenance, we provide free over-the-phone estimates for one furnace residential homes. It is a guaranteed upfront price before the work is scheduled.
- Avoid Gimmicks: Most sale ads will sound too good to be true because they are. Only work with companies that will give you upfront and clear pricing.
- Licensed Materials: Everything being used in your home should be a certified product just as the cleaner should be certified. Any company you work with should be able to tell you the exact materials being used in your air ducts or heating and cooling system.
- Avoid Steam Cleaning: Any kind of duct cleaning involving steam or moisture should be avoided. The last thing you need when trying to get rid of mold is more mold.
For more information on air duct cleaning please give us a call, check out our website, or the NADCA website. If you are looking to get an upfront estimate, please fill out our request information page, or call our office directly at 724-444-4550.