When you think of air duct cleaning, images of sneezy, dusty old ducts come to mind. However, the process is far from being unhygienic and uninviting. HVAC air ducts are designed to be cleanable as a standard procedure. The benefits of routine air duct cleaning services go beyond improving indoor air quality. Cleaning your ducts can make your home use less energy, save you money on maintenance, and make it worth more when you want to sell it. Let’s explore in detail what exactly we mean when talking about HVAC air duct cleaning costs and why it should matter to you.
What is Air Duct Cleaning?
Air duct cleaning is the process of removing dust, debris, and pollutants from your HVAC air ducts. The air ducts in your home transport warm air from your furnace through your home’s walls and into every room. However, the ducts can get clogged with dirt and dust, which reduces the flow of warm air and increases your energy bills. Air duct cleaning traps the dust and debris inside the ducts and vacuums it out.
The air ducts that you clean depend on the layout of your home. In most cases, an HVAC technician will clean the ducts that lead to and from your furnace. You can also have the ducts that lead to the registers in each room cleaned, although this isn’t always necessary. A duct cleaning professional can let you know whether it’s best to clean the ducts in your entire home or just the ducts that lead to and from the furnace.
How Much Does Air Duct Cleaning Cost?
Air duct cleaning costs vary widely depending on the condition of your ducts and the amount of dust, debris, and pollutants in them. A thorough cleaning of your air ducts can range from $150 to $600. However, there are many other factors that will impact the cost of HVAC air duct cleaning. For example, whether your ducts are accessible or inaccessible, whether you insulate your home and the amount of ductwork present Also, the cost of HVAC air duct cleaning can vary depending on the equipment used, the number of technicians who come to your home, how long it takes to finish the job, and the experience and reputation of the cleaning service.
Before you schedule an air duct cleaning appointment, research the cost of HVAC air duct cleaning services in your area to ensure you’re not paying more than you must.
Why Should You Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned?
Air duct cleaning has been shown to get rid of dust, allergens, mold spores, bacteria, and pet dander, which could be harmful, from your HVAC system. These contaminants can cause respiratory issues for the people in your home, especially those who are more vulnerable, such as children, the elderly, and those with allergies or asthma. Cleaning your air ducts can reduce your exposure to these contaminants and make the air inside your home healthier for your family.
Air duct cleaning services can also extend the lifespan of your HVAC system. Dirt, dust, and other pollutants can get into the ducts and make it harder for warm air to move around your home. This can cause your HVAC system to work harder and use more energy than necessary. A regular HVAC air duct cleaning service can help keep your system working efficiently.
HVAC Air Duct Cleaning Process
Before the cleaning process begins, the technicians will walk through your home to assess the duct layout, insulation, and condition of your ducts. This will help them figure out what cleaning services you need, figure out if there are any problems, and make a detailed plan for cleaning.
Disinfection: The first step in the cleaning process is to disinfect your air ducts. This helps eliminate bacteria, mold, and other contaminants from the ductwork. The technicians who clean air ducts spray disinfectants inside the ducts and put disinfectants on the walls of the ducts. This is important because if the ducts are not disinfected before cleaning, they will be recontaminated by the debris inside the ductwork.
Airflow Restoration: Once the ducts disinfect, the cleaning process begins. The technicians will use special tools to get the pollutants out of the ducts and get rid of them. They will also fix ducts by patching holes, replacing broken parts, and putting in insulation, among other things.
Conclusion
Before deciding which air duct cleaning service to use, research their cleaning methods and find out if they use cleaning chemicals. You may also want to get multiple quotes from different cleaning services to find out how the air duct cleaning costs compare. When you have your air ducts cleaned, you can also have your HVAC system professionally inspected by an HVAC technician. The technician can identify any issues with your system and let you know if they are fixable or if you need to replace it entirely.