User:AlbertinaOtl
The way to select an air duct cleaning company?
There are health benefits for all occupants from regularly cleaning the Heating system, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) System.
Heating system, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems collect mold, fungi, bacteria as well as a variety of contaminants that reduce the high quality of the air residents and guests breathe. A dirty air duct contributes to poor indoor air quality plus affects the health of people in the residence.
The purpose of residential air duct cleaning is to remove these contaminants from a home's HVAC system to get the best indoor air quality.
The most effective way to clean an air duct and/or ventilation system is to use a specialized, powerful vacuum which puts the air duct / ventilation system under bad pressure. While the vacuum draws air through the system, devices are placed into the ducts to dislodge pollutants and debris from the interior areas, moving the contaminants/debris from the home's living room air ducts and ventilation systems into the vacuum.
Vacuum collection by yourself does not clean the HVAC program. Brushes, air whips, "skipper balls" and other tools that agitate pollutants and debris scrub the surfaces within the air duct system plus propels contaminants and debris to the vacuum collection device(s).
Anti-microbial chemical sanitizers are applied to the interior surface area of the air ducts to control microbes contamination... but... before sanitizers are utilized, the system should be thoroughly cleaned. All anti-microbial chemicals used must be EPA registered for use in HVAC systems. Inquire to see the chemical's Material Safety Information Sheet (MSDS). If you are still worried, call the EPA at 1-800-438-4318. There are no EPA registered anti-microbial products for use on porous system surfaces - such as fiberglass areas.
When sanitizing air ducts you need to make sure the air duct cleaning corporation uses safe; effective EPA approved products that are safe for people, household pets, and the environment. An atomizer fogs the sanitizing product throughout the entire ventilation system.
Allergic people, infants and elderly are especially sensitive towards the microbes that cause respiratory problems like bacteria, mildew, fungi algae plus dust mites which require a highly-effective sanitizer to eliminate odor-causing microorganisms too contaminants associated with allergies, mildew and bacterial growth. Make sure the sanitizer can be rated by the EPA as a classification IV product with the lowest toxicity rating. Sanitizing air ducts means toxicity and safety safeguards that will establish and ensure there are no harmful dermal (skin), ocular (eyes), inhalation (breathing) or ingestion (swallowing) results from the products.
There are two popular types of vacuum collection systems... these mounted on trucks and trailers versus portable units. Truck/trailer mounted equipment is generally more powerful than portable equipment. By contrast, portable equipment often can be brought directly into a facility, picking out the vacuum closer to the ductwork. Both types of equipment clean to surroundings duct industry standards. Vacuum devices should be attached to a collection device regarding safe containment prior to disposal. A vacuum collection device which exhausts inside must be HEPA (high efficiency particulate arrestance) filtered.
The frequency of air duct (HVAC) cleaning depends on several factors:
*before occupying a brand new home.
*afterhome renovations or redecorating.
*number of smokers in the household.
*Pets that shed hair plus dander.
*Water contamination or damage to the home or HVAC system.
*Residents with allergies or asthma benefit from better indoor air quality.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency says that "duct cleaning services" typically range in cost from $450 to $1000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the dimensions of the system to be cleaned, system availability, climatic region, level of contamination" and type of duct material.
Consumers should beware of air duct cleaning companies making sweeping claims about the health benefits of duct cleaning - such claims are unsubstantiated.
Consumers should also beware of "blow-and-go" air duct cleansing companies that charge low costs and do a poor job of cleaning the heating and cooling system. These companies also attempt to persuade consumers into unneeded solutions or provide service without the consumer's permission. Contact the Better Business Agency and local, federal, and state elected officials to report the company.
Interview at least 3 local atmosphere duct and HVAC cleaning companies and to perform a free system inspection and to provide a price to clean the particular HVAC system.
Narrow your list of potential contractors:
o Make sure the firm is a member in good position of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA).
o Verify the company is certified by NADCA to perform HVAC system cleaning.
o Ask how long the company has been in company and determine if that experience is sufficient.
o Ask if the company has got the right equipment to effectively perform cleaning, and if the company has done operate homes similar to yours. Ask for referrals from neighbors.
o Inquire if the company is in good standing with all the local Better Business Bureau.
o Get proof that the company is properly certified and adequately insured.
o Make certain that the company is going to clean and visually examine all of the air ducts and associated system components.
o Avoid ads for "$99 whole house specials" along with other sales gimmicks.
NADCA Members sign a Code of Ethics stating they will do everything possible to protect the consumer and to follow NADCA Requirements for air duct cleaning. Atmosphere duct cleaning companies must satisfy stringent requirements. All members should have certified Air System Cleaning Experts (ASCS) on staff, who have used and passed the NADCA Qualification Examination. Passing the exam shows extensive knowledge in HVAC design and cleaning methodologies. Air System Cleaning Specialists are also required to continue their industry education by attending seminars to keep their NADCA accreditation status current.
Find out as much as you are able to about the air duct cleaning firm before you hire the company.
*Ask the company to display proof of NADCA membership plus certification?
*Ask how long has the contractor been in the residential HVAC system cleaning business?
*Ask the service provider provide you with evidence of the current Worker's Settlement and General Liability Insurance coverage (Ask for Certificate of Insurance)
*Ask the contractor to display the proper licenses required by your city and state to perform the work they are proposing. (ofcourse not all cities or states need licenses)
*Ask the contractor give you 3 to 5 customer references with phone numbers from air duct services provided in the last 30 days?
*Ask the contractor to conduct a thorough inspection of your system PRIOR to performing any work and alert you to any problems. This is required by the current NADCA Assessment, Cleaning & Restoration associated with HVAC Systems (ACR) Standard.
*Ask the contractor to provide you with the way to conduct a visual inspection anytime during the cleaning? (Mirror and torch, camera or other remote visual systems. )
*Ask the contractor if it will be cleaning the complete system, including coils and fans?
*Ask the company if it will actually do the task? (Some companies subcontract the work to independent contractors; apply the same challenging guidelines for subcontractors as well. )
*Ask the contractor to give you a guaranteed price before the inspection. This might expose you to extra costs because finding mold in the system, broken fiberglass insulation, cleaning or dealing with cooling coils may become add-on costs.
The amount of time it takes an air flow duct cleaning company to clean a residential HVAC system depends on:
*the size of the home
*the number of systems
*the extent of the contamination
*the number of HVAC cleaners performing the task
Ask the 3 HVAC contractors you trust the most to inspect your whole body and give you a completion time calculate for your system of how long the job ought to take; as well as all of the steps every contractor plans to implement throughout the job.
Remember, we are breathing an incredible number of germ-carrying dust and mold particles from air ducts that cause allergies, asthma--even terminal illnesses. In most homes, the air ducts gather dust, dirt, human skin flakes and pet dander, becoming holding tissue for allergens, mold spores, germs and other contaminants. The problem begins even before you move into a newly-built house, with the buildup of drywall dirt, sawdust and other debris in system that provide a perfect environment for the development of germs and allergens. This problem worsened in the 1970's, as new construction techniques made buildings more tightly sealed, which restricts the flow of fresh air. Every day, families breathe air that is continually distributed through contaminated ductwork by your HVAC system.
