Frequently Asked Questions About Air Duct Cleaning
Most people in the United States have never had the air ducts in their home cleaned. That can often lead to a number of questions about how the duct cleaning process works. Not to worry, we are here to answer all your questions, and more. Here are some of the questions we get most frequently, and their answers:
How often should I get my ducts cleaned?
This is a tough question to answer, because it really depends on your particular lifestyle. If you have hardwood floors that you clean twice a week and generally keep a spotless home, you can likely go a longer time between duct cleanings. If you have carpeting, pets, are a smoker, have humidity issues, have an older home, or have allergies, or any combination of these, then the ideal interval at which you clean your ducts might be shorter.
As a general rule, if you haven’t cleaned the ducts in your home in the past five years, you can almost certainly benefit from a cleaning.
How do I know if the cleaning worked?
One clear sign is the bag(s) of debris your vent cleaners will be removing from your home. Also before they close up the vents, you can ask your cleaners to show you what the ducts look like. They’ll shine a light in there and you’ll be able to see for yourself that the ductwork has been cleaned.
How long does it take to clean my ducts?
The time obviously varies based on the size of the system being cleaned. With that being said, it’s rare that an appointment would take longer than a half day (4 hours).
What should I look for in selecting an air duct cleaning company?
Always read up on reviews of any company you’re about to contract with. These reviews are coming from former customers, and they’re the best possible view into what you can expect. At ER Air, we are proud to have a perfect, 5 star score on Yelp!
You’ll also want to select a contractor who has been trained to work with HVAC systems, because you don’t want someone inexperienced to cause damage to your valuable HVAC. To take guesswork out of the equation, all our techs are HVAC certified!
Will cleaning my ducts help me save money on my energy bills?
Probably a bit, but beware of any duct cleaners who try to oversell these benefits to sell you on their services. Cleaning your air ducts does help your HVAC system run more efficiently, but the extent of this really depends on how much debris is in your ducts. For most customers, there will probably not be a big difference in their energy bills. However, cleaning the air ducts can also help to extend the life of your HVAC system, and that’s worth considering as well.
How much should I expect to pay for a duct cleaning?
According to the EPA, “duct cleaning services typically – but not always – range in cost from $450 to $1,000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned, system accessibility, climactic region and level of contamination” and type of duct material.
Really, the amount varies by region and size of the home. Contact us today to get a free estimate!
