DUCT CLEANING

Benefits of duct cleaning

How much duct cleaning will benefit your home depends on the current condition of your ductwork and HVAC system. Ducts that haven’t been cleaned in many years may be impacting HVAC performance, energy efficiency, comfort, and air quality in the home.

By cleaning the ducts, the home will benefit from:

• Cleaner, higher-quality air circulated with less dust and contaminants.
• Healthier air with fewer allergens, such as mold and mildew.
• Fewer musty odors in the home.
• Fewer restrictions to airflow, which can negatively impact furnace or AC performance.
• Lower bills because the HVAC system doesn’t have to work so hard.
• An extended lifespan for HVAC equipment, due to the lighter workload.

It’s best to consider duct cleaning as an additional service to HVAC maintenance, which should be conducted at least once a year, preferably twice (if you have a furnace and an air conditioning unit or heat pump).

How often should I clean the ductwork?

How often you clean the ductwork will depend partly on how often you service your HVAC equipment and change the air filters, as well as the general health and condition of the occupants of your home and the home’s location/usage.

For instance, if you have pets, elderly occupants or people who suffer from breathing conditions in the home, regular duct cleaning may be considered essential.

Similarly, if your home is located near a construction site or you have recently renovated your home and created considerable dust and airborne debris, duct cleaning may be more urgent.

Generally, duct cleaning every 2-3 years should be enough for most homes—more often if any of the above conditions apply.

Our duct cleaning process

After the service call is booked, a duct cleaning technician will first need to inspect your duct system thoroughly to assess its condition and ensure that the duct cleaning process is safe and effective.

Every home is unique and has its quirks, so it’s important to know about this before we start.  Depending on what they find, suggestions and add-on components might be offered, and the original estimate amended, if necessary.

1. The duct cleaning process involves a large, powerful vacuum that enters the ductwork through a small hole in the venting, pulling dust and debris down through the vents.
2. Any vents that are not part of the cleaning process are blocked off to focus the suction power on the vent that is to be cleaned.
3. A powerful, high-pressure hose (“snake”) is then fed through the vents to break up the debris and dust so that it is easily sucked up by the vacuum.
4. This process is repeated until all vents are cleaned (including the cold air return and dryer vents).
5. The furnace should then be cleaned.
6. The technician will explain what has been done and check that you’re satisfied with the work performed before leaving.

Is duct cleaning necessary?

Annual duct cleaning is not necessary in most homes that perform annual furnace and AC maintenance but it is advisable to clean the ducts every 2-3 years.

Cleaning may be required more often if there have been renovations or construction, mold or vermin problems, or if pets, elderly people or individuals with breathing conditions occupy the home.