Air ducts should be cleaned every 3 to 5 years. Alternatively, you should clean them on an on-needed basis. This means you should clean your ducts if you notice excessive mold growth, dust, debris or a vermin infestation. Choosing an air duct cleaning contractor is not a simple process.
Here are some tips to help you select a contractor:
1. Experience
It is best to work with a contractor who has been in business for a long time. If the company has been in existence for a short period, you can check the past experiences of the employees themselves. Air duct cleaning is a complicated process. If you go for cheaper and less experienced contractors, you will end up with damaged air ducts. Also, poor services will not have a significant impact on the energy costs in your home.
In the same vein, you should make sure the company has insurance in case anything gets damaged in the cleaning process.
2. Rates
Air duct cleaning costs between $400 and $1000. The price is mainly determined by the size of the house. Many people end up getting scammed by unscrupulous companies that claim to offer cheaper services through coupons. This bait-and-switch scam usually involves a $49 or $99 coupon that is meant to cover the entire house. Once the contractor gets in your house, they will upsell or add many extra charges on top of the $49. Many people who go for these services fail to read the fine print and end up having to pay far more than the market price.
That being said, you should compare rates and go for a company with reasonable prices. To avoid getting poor services, you should find a contractor that offers satisfaction guarantees. For example, air duct cleaning Houston will only leave your house when you are completely satisfied with their services.
3. Find Out How Long They Take to Clean the Air Ducts
Many shady companies clean air ducts in two or three hours. If your contractor claims that they can get the job done in such a duration, you should be careful since they are likely to offer low-quality services. That being said, some companies use superior equipment and are able to clean ducts in a very short period.
4. Find Out if They Are Approved by NADCA
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) certified air duct cleaning companies. Many companies will claim to be approved by the association, so you might want to run a search on the official NADCA website manually. All approved companies are listed on the site.
Another effective method is checking the cleaning method used by the company. NADCA only certifies companies that use the Source Removal Cleaning method. This cleaning method uses HEPA equipment to create a negative flow of air in the ductwork.
NADCA does not certify companies that use the Rotobrush system or the truck mounted machine. These methods are not effective in cleaning air ducts.
These tips should help you choose an effective air duct cleaning contractor. Make sure the contractor is able to address all the issues that may lead to a reduction in your air quality.
