As air flows through your ducts, it carries things like dust, debris, allergens, etc. along with it. Over time, this gunk builds up inside your ducts and blows through your house every time you turn on the air conditioner.
That means you’re breathing in a lot of dust and… other things.
Ew.
Air duct cleaning services take all that dirt and debris out of your system, which keeps the air inside your home clean and fresh. It’s a job you can’t put off, but since your ducts only need it every three to five years, you might not know what to expect when cleaning day comes.
We’ve put together this guide to walk you through the process, so make sure you keep reading below to learn some helpful tips!
Can You DIY Air Duct Cleaning, or Should You Call the Pros?
In theory, this is a job you can do yourself, but it’s not something you should try unless you have a lot of experience on similar projects.
Why?
Think about the location of your ducts.
They’re hidden inside the walls of your house, and they’re certainly not designed to have a full-grown adult crawl through them. In other words, you can’t just open your vents, reach inside, and wipe down the ducts. Without special tools, you won’t be able to get very much dust or debris out of them.
On top of this, you might not be prepared for what you find inside the ducts. Depending on the condition of your system, they could be full of things like mold growth, insects, rodent droppings, and even rodents themselves. While this might not be a problem in your house, it can be quite an uncomfortable or even frightening experience.
And even with the proper tools, cleaning your ducts is a difficult job. It requires a lot of strength and endurance. If you don’t know what you’re doing, it can also take much, much longer than you anticipated.
Because of these things, you should leave air duct cleaning to the professionals. They’ll remove more debris than you could do on your own and do it in a shorter amount of time.
What Happens During an Air Duct Cleaning Service?
When the air specialist technician arrives at your house, they’ll start by briefly explaining what they’ll be cleaning and how they’ll go about doing it. You can use this time to ask questions or bring up any concerns you might have about the process. They should be willing to walk you through what to expect, even if it takes some time.
You can also double-check the air duct cleaning cost if needed. Even if you already received a quote, it’s a good idea to go over the price again so you aren’t hit with any sudden surprises.
After this, the technician will unload their tools and get to work.
Vacuuming the Ducts
The air specialist technician will start by vacuuming out the ducts. To do this, they’ll insert special tools into your ducts to dislodge and debris and suck them up. This tool can be 20 feet long (or longer), so it won’t miss any spots.
Sanitation
Once everything is out of the ducts, the technician will go through and sanitize every corner of your system. This will remove any remaining dust, allergens, or bacteria. It will also create a healthier environment inside the ducts, which means no more mold growth and improved air quality.
Air Filter Change
Next, the technician will change your HVAC filters. Otherwise, the air conditioner will pump dirt air through your newly-cleaned ducts.
System Test
Finally, the technician will run a test of your HVAC system before they leave. During this step, they’ll ensure everything is working properly and that the air coming out of your vents is clean and odor-free.
How to Prepare for the Day of the Cleaning
Spend the morning before your air duct cleaning appointment (or the night before if you won’t have time day-of) clearing space around your HVAC system and all your vents. This may include moving some furniture or temporarily relocating some of your belongings to other rooms.
Make sure any pets or young children are in another room when the air specialist technician arrives. Pets or small kids might accidentally get in the technician’s way during the job or touch tools that aren’t safe. If you aren’t careful, they may get hurt.
It’s not worth the risk, so keep them occupied somewhere else.
After that, do your best to stay out of the way yourself. The job will go faster and smooth if the technician has plenty of space to work.
How Long Does the Process Take?
The exact answer to this question depends on the size of your home, but on average, you should expect the job to take about four hours. It’s a good idea to ask the technician how long they think the job will take after they take a look at your house.
Scheduling an Air Duct Cleaning Appointment Today!
Are you ready to suck all that dust out of your ducts and improve the air quality in your home? It might be time to start searching for “air duct cleaning near me” on Google.
Not sure how to find an HVAC company you can trust?
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at Anton’s HVAC! We’ll get you set up with an air duct cleaning appointment as soon as possible and walk you through it every step of the way.
