Tag: Air Duct Cleaning

Air Pathways and Indoor Air Quality

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Air pathways are a key component of indoor air quality. Understanding and improving air pathways will greatly improve your indoor air quality.

Understanding Air Pathways

Air flow is created by pressure differentials.  Air flow always flows from higher relative pressure to lower relative pressure.  Air will flow through any available opening (pathway) in an attempt to equalize pressure.  Pathways include windows, doors, electrical outlets, floor drains, heating and cooling systems, and most importantly air ducts.

Air Pathways within a Home

A forced air system works by creating a difference in pressure between the area where the supply registers are located and the area where the returns are located.  As air moves from supply diffuser to return air grill, it is diverted or obstructed by partitions, creating pathways of air movement throughout the home.

How do Air Pathways affect a Home?

Pathways can change from one minute to the next – Opened windows, an exhaust fan, open/closed doors etc… Unintended pathways need to be acknowledged to have a comprehensive understanding of a homes airflow patterns.

Improving Air Pathways

Air ducts are the pathways for energy efficient homes.  With a couple of simple steps you can improve your air pathways.

  • Seal the air ducts to prevent costly, conditioned air flow from being drawn from or escape into unknown, unspecified, or unintended areas of the home.
  • Filter the air by changing the furnace or air conditioning air filter.
  • Make sure that air ducts are not blocked by interior furnishings that prevent their designed use.
  • Have the air ducts cleaned to prevent obstructions in air flow.
  • Use bathroom exhaust fans when using the shower to exhaust moisture.
  • Use kitchen exhaust fans when cooking to exhaust fumes from cooking.
  • Have your HVAC technician inspect exhaust flues when they perform annual HVAC inspections to ensure carbon monoxide is properly exhausted.

How to Find a Reputable Air Duct Cleaning Service

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Finding a reputable air duct cleaning service is important if you want the job done right and your home respected during the cleaning process.  Here are a few tips to finding a quality cleaner in your area.

Ask Questions

Before hiring any company to clean your air ducts, ask questions and listen to the answers. Look for knowledgeable answers, not a sales pitch. Ask questions like…

  • How long they’ve been in business?
  • Why air ducts need cleaning?
  • Are the employees screened for criminal background?
  • How long does the cleaning process take?
  • What is required of you the day of the cleaning?
  • Do you carry workman’s compensation and liability insurance?
  • Are services are guaranteed?

NADCA

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association is a group that sets standards for service and certifies air duct cleaners. This online source offers recommendations and tips for consumers on how to hire cleaners. Included is a checklist to ensure the technicians perform all the tasks necessary for a thorough cleaning. This is an excellent place for consumers to gain knowledge, find recommendations, and learn the basics about air duct cleaning.

Ask for Referrals

Ask neighbors or local businesses who they have hired to clean their air ducts. Call your HVAC contractor to ask them who they recommend, installing heating and air conditioning systems; they will know who performs quality workmanship.  There are numerous online consumer advocacy websites, check for online air duct cleaning reviews.

Check with the BBB

Check with the Better Business Bureau or other agency to see if complaints have been filed against the company. If the company has no complaints, good references, and a knowledgeable staff then they will likely provide a quality service to you.

Ductworks, Your Air Duct Cleaning Expert, in Denver Post

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Local Air Duct Cleaning Company in Denver Post

In the January 27th, 2010 Colorado Business Section, the Denver Post wrote:

Ductworks Inc. of Denver is collaborating with National Jewish Health to provide a comprehensive approach to controlling symptoms for people who suffer from allergies and asthma. Ductworks and National Jewish Health are marketing and distributing the Family Air Care Indoor Allergens and Mold Test Kit.

SOURCE:  Denver Post

For more information on Ductworks and the Family Air Care Kit, go to www.ductworks.com.

What The EPA Says About Air Duct Cleaning

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The EPA offers consumers advice about when to get their air ducts clean, how to choose a provider, and qualities to avoid in providers. The EPA does not certify air duct cleaners, so the consumer is responsible for conducting their own research.

What is Air Duct Cleaning?

Duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.

How do Air Ducts Become Dirty?

If not properly installed, maintained, and operated, HVAC components may become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen or other debris. If moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth (e.g., mold) is increased and spores from such growth may be released into the home’s living space. Some of these contaminants may cause allergic reactions or other symptoms in people if they are exposed to them.

What to expect from an Air Duct Cleaning Service Provider

If you decide to have your heating and cooling system cleaned, it important to make sure the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so.

  • Open access ports or doors to allow the entire system to be cleaned and inspected.
  • Inspect the system before cleaning to be sure that there are no asbestos-containing materials (e.g., insulation, register boots, etc.) in the heating and cooling system. Asbestos-containing materials require specialized procedures and should not be disturbed or removed except by specially trained and equipped contractors.
  • Use vacuum equipment that exhausts particles outside of the home or use only high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) vacuuming equipment if the vacuum exhausts inside the home.
  • Protect carpet and household furnishings during cleaning.
  • Use well-controlled brushing of duct surfaces in conjunction with contact vacuum cleaning to dislodge dust and other particles.
  • Use only soft-bristled brushes for fiberglass duct board and sheet metal ducts internally lined with fiberglass. (Although flex duct can also be cleaned using soft-bristled brushes, it can be more economical to simply replace accessible flex duct.)
  • Take care to protect the duct work, including sealing and re-insulating any access holes the service provider may have made or used so they are airtight.
  • Follow NADCA’s standards for air duct cleaning and NAIMA’s recommended practice for ducts containing fiber glass lining or constructed of fiber glass duct board.
The EPA offers consumers advice about when to get their air ducts clean, how to choose a provider, and qualities to avoid in providers. The EPA does not certify air duct cleaners, so the consumer is responsible for conducting their own research.

What is Air Duct Cleaning?

Duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.

How do Air Ducts Become Dirty?

If not properly installed, maintained, and operated, HVAC components may become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen or other debris. If moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth (e.g., mold) is increased and spores from such growth may be released into the home’s living space. Some of these contaminants may cause allergic reactions or other symptoms in people if they are exposed to them.

What to expect from an Air Duct Cleaning Service Provider

If you decide to have your heating and cooling system cleaned, it important to make sure the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so.

Open access ports or doors to allow the entire system to be cleaned and inspected.

Inspect the system before cleaning to be sure that there are no asbestos-containing materials (e.g., insulation, register boots, etc.) in the heating and cooling system. Asbestos-containing materials require specialized procedures and should not be disturbed or removed except by specially trained and equipped contractors.

Use vacuum equipment that exhausts particles outside of the home or use only high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) vacuuming equipment if the vacuum exhausts inside the home.

Protect carpet and household furnishings during cleaning.

Use well-controlled brushing of duct surfaces in conjunction with contact vacuum cleaning to dislodge dust and other particles.

Use only soft-bristled brushes for fiberglass duct board and sheet metal ducts internally lined with fiberglass. (Although flex duct can also be cleaned using soft-bristled brushes, it can be more economical to simply replace accessible flex duct.)

Take care to protect the duct work, including sealing and re-insulating any access holes the service provider may have made or used so they are airtight.

Follow NADCA’s standards for air duct cleaning and NAIMA’s recommended practice for ducts containing fiber glass lining or constructed of fiber glass duct board.

Care for Your Air Conditioning System

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Air conditioning units require regular maintenance to keep them working at an optimal level. Follow these guidelines to ensure your air conditioner is working efficiently.

Conduct Regular Maintenance

Hire a professional HVAC person to regularly inspect your air conditioning system.  Make any necessary repairs in a timely manner. The longer you put off repairs, the more expensive they can become.

A typical air conditioner service will:

  • Check for proper refrigerant (freon) levels.
  • Check all electrical components and controls.
  • Clean evaporator and condenser coils.
  • Oil motors as needed.
  • Calibrate thermostat.
  • Check filters.

Change Filters

Routinely check and replace filters. Use the highest rated filter recommended by the manufacturer and make sure to install it properly.  There should be no gaps or leaks around the edge of the filter.

Use a Good Thermostat

Control indoor air temperature with a good thermostat. A good thermostat can operate air conditioner to a lower setting saving energy while you are at work, or while sleeping.

Keep Air Ducts Clean

Have your air duct cleaned every three to five years.  Excessive build up of dust and debris in air ducts can cause blocked or limited airflow, reducing the effectiveness of the air conditioner.

Is It Time For You Have The Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned?

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You may have heard about having your air ducts cleaned, but how do you know if you need to? Here are a few tips to help you decide if the time is right for you to clean you air ducts.

Ask Your HVAC Maintenance Technician

The next time you have your heating or air conditioning unit maintained, ask the technicians opinion about your air duct cleaning needs. Since they are not trying to sell you their cleaning services you will likely get an honest answer.

Inspect Your Air Ducts

Inspecting the condition of the air ducts is relatively simple.  The best place to inspect the condition of the air ducts is at the trunk line.  The trunk line is the large rectangular air duct attached to the furnace, extending overhead across the basement area.  Locate a vent register on the trunk line, and remove it with a screw driver.  Look inside the trunk line with a flashlight and mirror, or take a snapshot with a digital camera.  The trunk line is the central part of the heating and cooing system and will be the best indicator of the systems cleanliness.

Ductworks Collaborates with National Jewish Health® to Help Families Detect Allergens at Home

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Family Air Care Indoor Allergens & Mold Test Kit

Ductworks, Inc., is collaborating with National Jewish Health to provide a comprehensive approach to controlling symptoms for people who suffer from allergies and asthma. National Jewish has developed a diagnostic kit to assess the allergen levels in indoor environments.

Ductworks and National Jewish Health are working together on marketing and distribution of the Family Air Care® Indoor Allergens and Mold Test Kit. The kit, developed and serviced by National Jewish Health in Denver, determines levels of common indoor allergens and mold from dust samples taken inside a home, apartment or other building. The kit is now available through Ductworks for $299.

Once the diagnostic assessment of the home is complete, users can go to the Family Air Care® Website to learn how to lower allergen levels in their homes.

“The Family Air Care® kit is the only commercially available indoor-air testing kit that lets customers compare their results with samples from homes around the nation, and offers specific advice about how to interpret the results and what to do after receiving them,” said David Tinkelman, MD, Vice President of Health Initiatives at National Jewish Health.

To use the Family Air Care® Indoor Allergens and Mold Test Kit, consumers simply attach a small capture device to their vacuum-cleaner hose, briefly run the vacuum cleaner in their homes, then mail the collection device to National Jewish Health in a pre-paid envelope provided with the kit. Test results are reported in a secure e-mail. The kits can be ordered online at www.Ductworks.com.

“The Family Air Care®assessment benefits all households, but is especially important to the 70 percent of households where a person with allergies and/or asthma lives,” said Dr. Tinkelman. “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommend that people with allergies and/or asthma reduce levels of allergens and irritants in their homes to improve their health.”

About National Jewish Health

National Jewish Health is known worldwide for treatment of patients with respiratory, immune and related disorders, and for groundbreaking medical research. Founded in 1899 as a nonprofit hospital, National Jewish Health provides the best integrated and innovative care for patients and their families.

For 12 consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked National Jewish Health the No. 1 respiratory hospital in the nation. Scholarly publisher Thomson Scientific has ranked National Jewish among the 25 most influential research institutions in the world in its areas of focus. Further information can be found by visiting www.nationaljewish.org.

About Ductworks

Ductworks, Inc. “Your Air Duct Cleaning Expert” is a Denver-based company founded in 1990 to improve indoor air quality for homes and businesses. Their patented system of scraping and vacuuming is the most effective process for air duct cleaning. They have more technicians certified by the NADCA than any company in Colorado and provide customers with before and after photos to insure top quality performance. For more information on Ductworks and the Family Air Care Kit, go to www.ductworks.com.

What is The National Air Duct Cleaners Association?

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The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) was formed in 1989 as a non-profit association of companies engaged in the cleaning of HVAC systems. Its mission was to promote source removal as the only acceptable method of cleaning and to establish industry standards for the association.

Air Duct Cleaning Standards

Since the EPA does not certify air duct cleaners, consumers are glad to know that the NADCA exists to provide comprehensive information to both consumers and providers. NADCA currently holds the highest standards of service and only certifies those providers with the knowledge to perform professional air duct cleaning.

Air Duct Cleaning Certifications

NADCA also provides the following certifications:

  • ASCS Certification: Air System Cleaning Specialists
  • CVI Certification: Certified Ventilation Inspectors
  • VSMR Certification: Ventilation System Mold Remediators

Air Duct Cleaning Checklists

NADCA also provides consumers and providers with checklists to ensure quality of service.  All members are required to perform work in accordance with NADCA Standards. As part of its Quality Assurance Program, NADCA provides information about how to select a qualified contractor along with pre – and post-cleaning checklists to ensure that total system cleaning is performed.  Reviewing the checklist is an excellent way to ensure quality of the air duct cleaning.

Understanding Air Duct Cleaning Costs


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Cleaning your air ducts is not part of regular air conditioning and heating maintenance. The cost can vary greatly depending on the size of the unit, accessibility, and overall level of dirt.

Air Duct Cleaning Cost

The Environmental Protection Agency says that “duct cleaning services typically – but not always – range in cost from $450 to $1000 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.

Before agreeing to hire a company to clean your ducts, do some homework. Talk to at least 3 companies and ask for cost and time estimates from each.  Check references, and find out if they have had complaints logged with the Better Business Bureau. Be sure you understand the specific work covered by each company’s quote, ask questions and choose the company that offers the most knowledgeable answers.

Beware of “Blow & Go” Companies

Beware of “blow-and-go” air duct cleaning companies. Blow and go companies often charge a nominal fee and do a poor job of cleaning the heating and cooling system. These companies may also persuade the consumer into unneeded services with and/or without their permission.  When making purchasing decisions, we typically look at price rather than at cost. Both are important, but paying the lowest price often ends up costing us more.  Understand that an air duct cleaning that is not properly performed will make the dust in the home worse.

Cleaning your air ducts is not part of regular air conditioning and heating maintenance. The cost can vary greatly depending on the size of the unit, accessibility, and overall level of dirt.

Air Duct Cleaning Cost

The Environmental Protection Agency says that “duct cleaning services typically – but not always – range in cost from $450 to $1000 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.

Before agreeing to hire a company to clean your ducts, do some homework. Talk to at least 3 companies and ask for cost and time estimates from each.Check references, and find out if they have had complaints logged with the Better Business Bureau. Be sure you understand the specific work covered by each company’s quote, ask questions and choose the company that offers the most knowledgeable answers.

Beware of “Blow & Go” Companies

Beware of “blow-and-go” air duct cleaning companies. Blow and go companies often charge a nominal fee and do a poor job of cleaning the heating and cooling system. These companies may also persuade the consumer into unneeded services with and/or without their permission.When making purchasing decisions, we typically look at price rather than at cost. Both are important, but paying the lowest price often ends up costing us more.Understand that an air duct cleaning that is not properly performed will make the dust in the home worse.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire an Air Duct Cleaner

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Hiring a qualified air duct cleaner is important because a poor job can actually make indoor air quality worse.  If you are concerned with healthy indoor air, make sure to ask potential air ducts cleaners the following questions.

How Long Have You Been In This Business?

Experience is important in performing a quality job. Ask the number of years that the company has been in business.  Ask the number and types of air duct cleaning jobs that the company has performed to get a feel for their experience level.

Do You Specialize In Air Duct Cleaning?

Ask the company if they specialize in air duct cleaning, or if it is one of several services that they perform.  Companies that specialize in a service are really good at one thing… rather than being mediocre at several things.

Is The Company NADCA Certified?

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association is the group the EPA recommends to find qualified air duct cleaning contractors.. The NADCA is an excellent resource for consumers because it provides a list of qualified service providers, tips on how to choose a provider, and a checklist to ensure a good job was done. If possible, hire a company that is a certified member of NADCA.

Are The Employees Screened?

Ask if the employees have been screened by a thorough background check.  A background check will ensure that the employee does not have criminal convictions.

Ask For Referrals

Ask for referrals or testimonies. Find out if the technicians did a good job, if they had any complaints, if their home was respected, and if the technicians cleaned up after themselves.  The air duct cleaning contractor should be able to point you to several current sources of referrals or testimonies.