Taking care of your home is essential. Cleaning your air ducts should be part of this process because it increases the lifespan of your HVAC system and decreases your energy costs. Air ducts circulate air throughout the house, but they often don’t get the attention they deserve. It’s worth noting that even HVACs in good shape still need air duct cleaning in Hood River; this can come in handy if you have pets, allergies, or just had a recent home improvement project that added dust and debris to the air in your home.

Before you start cleaning your home’s air ducts, here are five things you need to know.

  1. Not Every Homes Needs It

Before hiring a professional to clean your duct, consider whether your home’s HVAC system needs it. If you’re experiencing a significant change in air quality or if you’ve noticed debris buildup around the ducts, then it may be time to clean them. If not, there are other initiatives to improve the air quality in your home.

Air duct cleaning is recommended only for homes with specific health concerns or spaces experiencing a significant change in their HVAC system. For instance, if someone with asthma starts living in your home or if you go from living alone to having three roommates and a cat, then cleaning the ducts could help reduce allergens and bacteria. However, pollen and dust naturally accumulate inside all homes over time; for this reason, the EPA recommends having your air ducts cleaned only if noticeable mold growth is present inside the vents themselves.

  1. Only Hire Professional Duct Cleaners

As you can imagine, cleaning air ducts is an important job that you should only delegate to qualified professionals. Here are some things to look for from prospective candidates:

  • Check the company’s Better Business Bureau rating. The BBB is an unbiased and trustworthy institution that consumers can rely on when seeking reliable businesses. It’s important to note that some companies may have a few complaints against them (even great firms). Avoid contractors with consistently low ratings.
  • Check if they are certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA). While this certification isn’t mandatory, member companies that voluntarily participate in NADCA standards have committed to their customers and themselves, demonstrating that they take pride in their work and want to improve upon their capabilities and the overall industry.
  • Confirm the credentials of your chosen contractor and ensure they have licenses and insurance. Licensed contractors will know how best to manage the task at hand. Those with insurance will protect you from any liabilities associated with injuries during the cleaning process. In addition, check references before making your final decision. Ask them for testimonials from clients who have hired them before to know the type of service you should expect from them.
  1. Get An On-Site Inspection

It’s important to know whether your air ducts need cleaning in the first place, which is only possible through an onsite inspection. During this inspection, technicians will look for any visible dust accumulation or mold growth signs. They’ll also check the condition of your system to see how clean or dirty its air return and supply lines get. Following that, they’ll provide you with a free estimate. Mold growth can be a very serious problem that’s usually expensive to resolve once left unaddressed. That’s why you should have professionals from mold inspection Denver to check out your property. 

  1. Ensure They Follow Protocol

Now that you know what to look for in a good air duct cleaning company and how to prepare your home for their services, here are some pointers on what you should expect during the cleaning:

  • The technicians will cover floors and furniture with drop cloths or plastic before the work begins. Their job is not complete until they have cleaned up any messes they’ve made on your floors or other surfaces.
  • They should use a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filters to ensure that no particles are released through the exhaust vent at the end of each duct. (The EPA recommends HEPA filters, which can trap 99.97% of dust and allergens.)
  • Technicians should seal each room’s supply and return registers when cleaning air ducts so that debris does not escape into those rooms.
  1. Don’t Forget About The Furnace Filters.

You should replace your furnace filter at least once every three months when under heavy utilization. Leaving it longer could reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system. Replace it more frequently if you notice significant changes like increased allergies or difficulty breathing.