An air duct cleaning service can protect you from exposure to dangerous gases. In 2016, breathing unhealthy air contributed to about six million deaths. Most victims were dealing with severe issues, such as lung disease and lung cancer.
Considering these facts, it’s important to clean your air ducts to get better air quality. Other reasons include saving money on energy bills and repairs for your HVAC system.
To avoid health problems, consider hiring a duct cleaning company. Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision.
What to Ask a Duct Cleaning Company
Research shows that hazardous pollutants are released more in the air than in land and water. Hiring duct cleaners can prevent these toxins from affecting the safety of your home. Yet, people fall for air duct cleaning service scams all the time.
To protect yourself from falling victim to such scams, here are four questions you can ask:
1. What’s Your Company’s Reputation in This Field?
The first questions to ask should relate to the company’s credibility as an air duct cleaner.
Are they the industry leader? Has anyone heard of them? Do they have an office in your area?
Ask the company for references about the quality of their services. Check online reviews and ask other people what they know about the company.
If possible, visit their offices and confirm whether they look professional. If their office is not clean and organized, how can you expect them to do a good job cleaning your ducts?
They should also have licenses and awards displayed on their walls. Plus, they should have a certificate from the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA).
2. Do I Need to Clean My Air Ducts?
This question weeds out reputable air duct cleaning companies from scammers.
Some people will tell you anything to get money from you. Thus, ask what kind of tests or signs the cleaners use to determine that cleaning is necessary.
Common signs include visible debris, mold, hairs, webs, and dust. There could also be strange sounds coming from the HVAC system. If you’ve recently renovated or someone has allergies, then it’s time for cleaning.
3. How Does Duct Cleaning Work?
You need to know the technician’s process of cleaning your air ducts. Do they use any chemicals when cleaning? Are these chemicals safe?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends against using biocides and other treatments. These chemicals may be harmful once the air duct is activated.
While some of them may fight things like mold, you still have to be sure about their effects.
4. What Are Your Payment Standards?
Scammers will tell you one price and then switch to a higher price after they begin cleaning your ducts. Thus, you need to get an initial estimate and free inspection from a company. Afterward, they should provide you with a quote for the entire project.
Beware of low prices as well. This could be a sign they will do shoddy work just to get your money. Instead, research the industry rates and get a sense of what the company is charging you.
Learn More about Air Duct Cleaning
Asking the questions above will help you find a great air duct cleaning company. They will be open to your questions and guide you on how the process will work. They’ll also teach you maintenance tips to use before the next professional cleaning.
Contact us to learn more about air duct cleaning! We’re ready to answer any questions you may have.